As Hari spoke, his beloved, immersed in their intimate union and gentle conversation, became weary and clung closely to the body of Bhava, her sweat trickling from her fingertips. From this sacred contact, wondrous things began to manifest: first arose Dharma, the very principle of righteousness, followed by Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune. Then came charity, good rainfall, virtue adorned with excellence, waters, grains, flowers, and fruits—each a blessing upon the world. Auspicious objects appeared, beauty blossomed, and fine attire graced the beings. Things of love, potent medicines, dances, songs, nectar, ancient lore, the Vedas and Smṛtis, ethics, and food and drink all came forth. Weapons and sciences, household implements, missiles, sacred places, forests, sacrifices, charitable works, auspicious rites, vehicles, pure ornaments, and seats—all these emerged from their union. Through this joyful embrace, through sweet conversation and gentle laughter, all moving and unmoving beings were born, O Goddess. From this union, sinless things came into being—happiness, abundance, and everlasting good shone forth from your very nature. Therefore, Mother of the world, protect me, 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 offered his praise, Śiva appeared before him and said, "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, this act is undertaken. 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 wish that, upon their destruction, I may again attain fame and the glory of victory." Śiva 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." Following Śiva’s guidance, Indra, together with Āpastamba, went to the southern bank of the Gaṅgā. Having bathed with devotion at the sacred confluence, he praised the god. At the confluence of the Phenā and the Gaṅgā, he propitiated Janārdana with various Vedic mantras and austerity. Viṣṇu was pleased and said, "What should be given?" Indra replied, "Grant me a destroyer of enemies." The blessed Hari responded, "Consider it given." There, by the grace of Śiva and Viṣṇu at the Gaṅgā, it came to be. From the waters, a person was born, bearing the forms of Śiva and Viṣṇu, holding both a discus and a trident. He then descended to the netherworld and slew the demon, Indra’s enemy, with a mighty thunderbolt. This being became Indra’s friend—Abjaka, known as Vṛṣākapi. Though dwelling in heaven, Indra always followed Vṛṣākapi. When Śacī, Indra’s wife, saw him attached elsewhere, she spoke to him with anger and affection. Śatakratu, smiling, replied, "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?" He continued, "Therefore, by your instruction, having reached Gaṅgā, the great river, by the grace of the god of gods, Viṣṇu, wielder of the discus, and by the grace of Shiva, of Vṛṣākapi, and of my friend born from water, the lotus-stemmed one renowned in the worlds, this has come to me. O fortunate one, I have crossed over suffering; here I am Indra, the steadfast—what could be impossible where a wife follows the mind of her husband?" "There, liberation is difficult for us; but, O auspicious one, among the three aims of life, the wife alone is the highest friend, seeking the welfare of both worlds. If she is of good family, speaks sweetly, devoted to her husband, beautiful, endowed with virtues, and equal in fortune and adversity—what is impossible for her in the three worlds?" "Therefore, O lovely one, by your wisdom this good fortune has come to me; and what you have declared must be done—there is nothing else for me. In the next world and in righteousness, nothing equals a true son; and for a man in distress here, there is no remedy like a wife. For attaining the supreme state and for liberation from sin, there is nothing like the Ganga; listen further, O beautiful-faced one." "For attaining righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation, and for freedom from sin, there is no means here like the knowledge of the non-difference of Shiva and Vishnu. Therefore, O virtuous one, by your understanding, all this that was in your mind has been obtained by the grace of Shiva, Vishnu, and Ganga. My position as Indra is now secure, I think, again by the strength of my friend; Vṛṣākapi is my companion, who was born in the waters, O beautiful one.