Leaving behind heaps of jewels and the auspiciously marked image, the wondrous deity was swiftly sent to Laṅkā upon the celestial chariot, Puṣpaka. There, Vibhīṣaṇa—the illustrious and righteous guardian of the city, younger brother and counselor of Rāvaṇa, and ever devoted to Nārāyaṇa—stood in attendance. When Vibhīṣaṇa beheld that divine image, which had descended from the very abode of the gods, his body was thrilled with awe and wonder filled his heart. Bowing his head reverently to the deity, he spoke with inward joy, “Today my birth is made fruitful; today my long austerity has borne its highest fruit.” Having said this, the righteous Vibhīṣaṇa prostrated himself repeatedly before the image. Then, approaching his elder brother Rāvaṇa with joined palms, he humbly requested, “O king, grant me your favor with this image. By worshipping this, O Lord of the Universe, one crosses the unfathomable ocean of worldly existence.” Hearing his brother’s heartfelt words, Rāvaṇa replied, “Take the image, hero. What use have I for it? Having worshipped the self-born deity, I have conquered the three worlds; this wondrous god is the source of all beings.” Thus permitted, Vibhīṣaṇa, endowed with great intellect, worshipped that auspicious image of Janārdana for one hundred and eight years. Through this devotion, he attained freedom from old age and death, gained mystical powers such as minuteness, and, enjoying the kingdom of Laṅkā and all pleasures as he desired, lived in abundance. What a marvel has been revealed to us in the telling of this supreme nectar—the rare appearance of Ananta Vāsudeva upon earth! Eager to know more, the sages implored, “We wish to hear, O Lord, in detail and truth, the greatness of that deity. Please speak of it fully.” It was then recounted how Rāvaṇa, the cruel Rākṣasa, conquered the gods, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, guardians of the worlds, as well as sages and Siddhas who had fallen into sin. Having defeated all in battle, he brought their women to Laṅkā, established the city anew, and yet, was again deluded by his desire for Sītā. Rāvaṇa, suspicious and cunning, assumed the form of a golden deer, which led to Rāma’s wrath. Rāma, together with his brother Saumitri, engaged him in battle. For the purpose of slaying Rāvaṇa, Rāma first killed Vāli, swift as thought, and anointed Sugrīva as king and Aṅgada as crown prince. Rāma was then joined by Hanuman, Nala, Nila, Jambavan, Panasa, Gavaya, Gavaksha, Pathina, and many other powerful and fearsome monkeys. With these mighty allies, Rāma, the lotus-eyed, advanced. Pooling their strengths, they built a bridge across the vast ocean and crossed over with their formidable army. An incomparable battle ensued, with Rāma surrounded by hosts of demons—Yamahasta, Prahasta, Nikumbha, and Kumbha among them. Rāma, valiant and resolute, slew Narantaka of great valor, as well as Yamantaka, Malaadhya, and Malikaadhya. In time, he vanquished Indrajit, Kumbhakarna, and finally Rāvaṇa himself. After Sītā was tested in fire, Rāma bestowed the kingdom of Laṅkā upon the righteous Vibhīṣaṇa. Then, taking Vasudeva with him, Rāma ascended the Pushpaka chariot and, with ease, returned to Ayodhya, the ancient city of his fathers. Out of deep affection, Rāma, ever devoted to his younger brothers, installed Bharata and Shatrughna as rulers over all the kingdoms, like a sovereign of sovereigns. For ten thousand and ten hundred years, Hari worshipped his ancient form, enjoying the earth bounded by the ocean. When his reign was complete, that descendant of Raghu entered the supreme Vaishnava state. Rāma entrusted that very image to the lord of the ocean, saying, “Blessed one, you shall protect it, endowed with the jewels of the waters.” When the Lord of the world entered the Dvapara age, at the request of the earth and due to the decline of righteousness, that blessed Lord descended in the house of Vasudeva, accompanied by Sankarshana, to destroy Kamsa and others. At that time, for the benefit of all worlds and to grant all desires, that sacred image was, for another reason, set aside. In that excellent, sacred, and rare field of Purushottama, the ocean, lord of rivers, himself raised the image from the waters. From that time onward, in that very field granting liberation, the god has abided, bestowing all desired fruits to the gods. Those who take refuge in Ananta, the Lord of all, with devotion—by word, mind, and deed—always attain the supreme state. Even seeing Ananta once with devotion, worshipping and bowing down, grants one ten times the merit of a Rajasuya or Ashvamedha sacrifice. In a celestial chariot, radiant as the sun, adorned with tinkling bells and every delight, shining with fulfilled wishes—such a devotee, having uplifted twenty-one generations of his lineage, served by divine women and praised by Gandharvas, attains the city of Vishnu. There, he enjoys excellent pleasures, free from old age and death, possessing a divine and splendid form, and remains until the dissolution of creation. When his merit is exhausted, returning here, the best of twice-born who knows the four Vedas, by taking up Vaishnava yoga, then attains liberation. Thus have I described to you his endless greatness, O best of sages. Who could recount all his virtues even in a hundred years? In this way, I have told you of the boundless glory of this supreme field, which bestows both enjoyment and liberation upon people, and is extremely rare in all the worlds.