Having received his teacher’s command, Shatakratu—Indra—replied, “So be it.” With his devoted wife by his side, he journeyed to the sacred river Ganga, the sustainer of the world, renowned in that region as Gautami. Filled with joy and determination, Hari—Viṣṇu—departed to the heart of the Dandaka forest, intent on performing severe austerities to propitiate Shambhu, the great Lord Shiva, ruler of the gods. First, he bowed reverently to the Ganga, bathed in her holy waters, and then stood with joined palms, seeking refuge in Shiva alone. With a heart full of devotion, he began to recite a hymn in praise of the Lord. “May Pinakapani, who by his own power creates, protects, and dissolves all that moves and is still—yet remains unattached—who is one, independent, non-dual, and blissful by nature, be gracious to us. Even Sanaka and the other sages, who know the deepest secrets of Vedānta, cannot comprehend his true essence. May that Lord of Parvati, giver of all desires, show me his favor and dispel my darkness. He, having created the self-born god Viśvakarman, beheld his terrifying head. With the tips of his nails, he severed it and cast it away, and from that act, the threefold aims of life—dharma, artha, and kāma—arose. Yet, sin, poverty, greed, delusion, and suffering then appeared without end, spreading as the very form of worldly sorrow and pervading the entire world. Beholding this, the Lord of the gods became fearful and turned to the Goddess, saying, ‘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; you are ageless and immortal. In the form of knowledge and more, you protect the three worlds by my command; by you alone are the three worlds created, for by your very nature comes all their wondrous diversity.’ Thus addressed by Hari, the beloved Goddess, absorbed in intimate union and conversation, became weary and clung closely to half the body of Bhava—Shiva. From her fingertips, she sprinkled drops of sweat-water. From that, Dharma arose first, then Lakṣmī, then charity, then good rainfall, virtue endowed with excellence, waters, grains, flowers, and fruits. Auspicious objects, beauty, fine attire, things of love, great medicines, dances, songs, nectar, ancient lore, the Vedas and Smṛtis, ethics, and food and drink all emerged. Weapons, sciences, household implements, missiles, sacred places, forests, sacrifices, charitable works, auspicious rites, vehicles, and pure ornaments and seats also came forth. Through this joyful union with the body of Bhava, through sweet conversation and gentle laughter, all moving and unmoving beings were born, O Goddess, and from this, sinless things came into being. Happiness, abundance, and everlasting good shone forth from your very nature, O Goddess; therefore, protect me, Mother of the world, for I am fearful of the dangers that threaten all beings. Some are bewildered by arguments, others become absorbed in them; but I praise that beautiful non-dual form of Śiva and Śakti.” As Hari thus praised, Shiva appeared before him and spoke: “Speak, Hari. What boon do you desire? Tell me your supreme wish.” Hari replied, “My enemy was powerful, and like Saturn with his gaze, he bound me and cast me down, humiliating me in many ways. I was wounded by his words and weapons; for his destruction, I have undertaken this act. For that purpose, O Lord of the worlds, grant me victory over my enemy. Grant me that strength which destroys enemies, and whatever else brings about their end. Since I have been defeated, I consider it best that, upon their destruction, I may again attain fame and the glory of victory.” Shiva then said to Indra, “Your enemy cannot be slain by me alone. Therefore, you too, along with Viṣṇu, the imperishable Hari, worship—together with Paulomī—the god Janārdana, Nārāyaṇa, the sole refuge of the three worlds, with undistracted mind. Then, from that, you will obtain what is dear to you from me and from Hari as well.” Again, the blessed Maheśvara, the prime creator, spoke: “The practice of mantras, austerity, or even the discipline of yoga—wherever these are performed at a confluence, sages know them to grant success. How much more so, O brāhmaṇa, at the confluence of the Gautamī and Sindhu rivers, in the caves of mountains, or at the meeting of rivers? A brāhmaṇa, by intellect fixed on Mukunda’s feet, becomes so; on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā, Āpastamba, the lord of sages, dwelt there. I too attained satisfaction, O slayer of enemies. Therefore, you also, together with your wife, please Gadādhara.” Thus, together with Āpastamba, on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā, having bathed with devotion at the sacred confluence, Indra praised the god. At the confluence of the Phenā and the Gaṅgā, he propitiated Janārdana with various Vedic mantras and austerities. Pleased, Viṣṇu appeared and said, “What should be given?” Indra replied, “Grant me a destroyer of enemies.” The blessed Hari answered, “Consider it given.” There, by the grace of Shiva and Viṣṇu of the Gaṅgā, it came to be. From the waters, a person was born, bearing the forms of both Śiva and Viṣṇu, holding a discus and a trident. He then went to the netherworld and slew the demon, Indra’s enemy, with a mighty thunderbolt. He became Indra’s friend—Abjaka, the Vṛṣākapi. Though dwelling in heaven, Indra always followed Vṛṣākapi. Seeing him attached elsewhere, Śacī, angered yet affectionate, spoke to him. Smiling, Śatakratu addressed her: “O Indrāṇī, I have no refuge except for my friend Vṛṣākapi, whose water or offering is always dear to Agni. Dearest, I will not go anywhere else; I swear by your very self. Therefore, you should not speak to me with suspicion, O beautiful one. You are my beloved, faithful in dharma and mantra, my companion, noble and with children; who else but you is dear to me? Therefore, by your instruction, having reached Gaṅgā, the great river, by the grace of the god of gods, Viṣṇu, wielder of the discus—” And so, the story of Indra’s devotion, the grace of Shiva and Viṣṇu, and the birth of his mighty ally unfolded by the sacred waters of the Ganga.