Indra, the king of the gods, dwelled in heaven, surrounded by all the deities. His beloved fanned him, the Apsarases sang his praises, and he basked in the glory of his celestial realm. Yet, one who witnessed this wondered aloud if shame itself had abandoned Indra, so untroubled was he in his exalted state. Indra was renowned as the slayer of Vṛtra and Namuci, the destroyer of cities, the breaker of enclosures, and the wielder of the thunderbolt. The gods honored him for these mighty deeds, but the speaker urged Indra to renounce such pride and glory. For those who, transformed by enmity, continued to roam the worlds, surely even one born from the lotus—like Indra—should feel his heart break at such disgrace. Having spoken thus, the lord of the Daityas returned mighty Varuṇa to Indra and addressed him further. “From this day forward,” he declared, “Indra shall be the disciple, and Varuṇa the teacher—my father-in-law—by whom, O Vāsava, you have gained your release. Conduct yourself as a servant toward Varuṇa; if not, I will bind you again and cast you into the netherworld.” He rebuked Śakra, laughing repeatedly, and then said, “Go, go,” giving his consent to Varuṇa. Indra, his mind tainted with shame, returned to his abode and recounted everything to his wife, Paulomī, including his defeat by the enemy. Distressed by the words and treatment of his adversary, Indra asked Paulomī, “O fair-faced one, tell me by what means I might restore myself.” Paulomī replied with wisdom, “I know well, O destroyer of strength, the origin of the Dānavas, their magic, their defeat, the boon they received, and their death. Listen as I tell you everything by which his death or defeat might occur, for your satisfaction.” She explained, “A hero, son of Hiraṇya, and also the son of his uncle, powerful—he is my brother, made arrogant by the boon he received. He pleased Brahmā through austerity and discipline; having attained such power through austerity, what cannot be accomplished? Therefore, do not let attachment or amazement arise in your mind. Listen now to what must be done, as it comes in order.” Paulomī addressed Indra with humility, “Nothing is unattainable through austerity, nothing is unattainable through sacrificial acts, nothing is unattainable for Viṣṇu, lord of the worlds, or for Hara, through devotion. Once again, my dear, I have heard something most excellent: only women themselves know the nature of women, O lord of the gods. Therefore, O master, nothing is unattainable for the earth and for women; whether through austerity, sacrificial rites, or other actions, it is from them that these arise.” She continued, “Among these, the earth that is a sacred place should be visited by you; there, by worshipping Vishnu and Shiva, you will obtain all desires. Again, I have heard this: those women who are devoted to their husbands alone know everything, all that is held by them, both moving and unmoving. The essence of the earth is found within, and in its midst is the Dandaka forest; there, the Ganga, sustainer of the world, resides—worship the lord there, O master.” “Worship Vishnu, lord of the worlds, remover of the distress of the afflicted and suffering, the mighty one for those among men who are helpless and sinking in the ocean of sorrow. There is no other refuge anywhere than Hara, Hari, or Ganga; therefore, with all effort and concentration, strive to please them. With devotion, hymns, and austerity, perform worship together with me; then you will obtain auspiciousness born from the grace of Shiva and Vishnu.” Paulomī further taught, “Without knowledge, a deed yields its ordinary fruit to the doer; with knowledge, it yields a hundredfold, and with the wife, it becomes inexhaustible. In all undertakings, the wife alone is the companion for a man; even in the smallest tasks, success is not possible without her. Whatever action is performed alone yields only half its fruit; but when performed with the wife, O lord, a man obtains abundant reward. Therefore, let this be well understood: the wife is one's half, as is taught; in the Dandaka forest, the best river, Gautami, is heard to exist. She removes all sins and grants all desired blessings; therefore, go there with me and perform meritorious acts of great fruit. Then, having slain your enemies in battle, you will obtain great happiness.” Indra replied, “So be it,” to his teacher, and together with Paulomī, Shatakratu (Indra) went to the Ganga, sustainer of the world, renowned as Gautami. Hari, joyful, entered the midst of the Dandaka forest, resolved to perform austerity for Shambhu, lord of the gods. First, Indra bowed to the Ganga and bathed. With joined palms, he took refuge in Shiva alone and spoke this hymn: “May Pinakapani, who by his own power creates, protects, and consumes all that moves and is still, yet is not attached to it, who is one, independent, non-dual, and blissful in nature, be gracious to us. Even Sanaka and the other sages, who are knowers of the secret of Vedānta, do not know his true nature; may that Lord of Pārvatī, giver of all desires, be gracious to me and dispel my darkness.” He recalled how Shiva, having created the self-born god, the blessed Viśvakarman, saw his terrifying head; cutting it with the tips of his nails, Shiva cast it away, and from that act the threefold aims of life arose. Yet, sin, poverty, greed, delusion, and suffering then arose endlessly; these, manifesting as the form of worldly sorrow, pervaded the world. Seeing this, the Lord of the gods became fearful and spoke to the Goddess: “The world is sinking; protect it, O Lady of the worlds, Mother of the worlds, O Umā, refuge of all, auspicious and gracious one. O foundation of the universe, bestower of boons, be victorious! You are enjoyment, concentration, supreme liberation, the sacred syllables svāhā and svadhā, well-being, the primordial perfection, speech, wisdom, blessings, and you are ageless and immortal. In the form of knowledge and more, you protect the three worlds by my command; by you alone the three worlds are created, for by your very nature, so too is their wondrous diversity.” Thus, Indra, guided by Paulomī’s wisdom, sought refuge in the sacred river and the forest, worshipped Shiva and Vishnu, and invoked the grace of the divine for victory and restoration.