Among the Yakshas, Gandharvas, Bhutas, Pisachas, Nagas, and Rakshasas, a wondrous event unfolded. As the assembly of gods and demons witnessed its establishment, they were struck with awe and amazement. With palms joined in reverence, they addressed the divine one, whose gait was like that of a proud, intoxicated elephant. They exclaimed, “Ah! Your strength, valor, and prowess are astonishing. Your form, O Lord, and the power of your yoga are indeed marvelous. You alone are Vishnu, you are the four-faced Brahma, you are Death, and you are the bestower of boons. You are fire, you are wind, you are earth, and you are water.” Arriving in celestial chariots, swift as the wind, all these beings reached the great mountain Meru. There, the supreme secret, most holy among the holy, was revealed—a tale spoken by Svayambhu himself, capable of destroying sin. The fruit of this story is vast and great; as soon as it touches one’s body, O beautiful-hipped one, it wards off harm. One who hears it gains favor among women and in the king’s assembly, travels safely on the road, and enjoys constant prosperity at home. The Lord, with tawny beard, blue throat, and hair adorned by the moon, is strong and radiant, possessing valor equal to Nandi. His progress cannot be hindered, just as the wind moves freely in the sky. By my devotion, O lovely one, and for those who listen, the Brahmin attains the Veda, the Kshatriya obtains the earth. The afflicted are freed from disease, the bound are released from captivity, lost wealth is recovered in this world and the next. By hearing this divine and wondrous tale, a mortal attains its blessed fruit. Whoever always upholds it goes to the world of Rudra. Whoever recites it daily with a mind absorbed in me, and, O Goddess, recites it with devotion and inspires others to do the same, obstacles arise in the house where this hymn is present. This hymn has been offered, endowed with the fruits of merit, and composed by the Four-Faced One himself. With me, the beloved of the cave, he went to the cave of Kailasa, riding on the bull. Having studied all of it, complete with its characteristics, the best of twice-born attains the solar realm. The sages then requested, “We wish to hear in full the detailed account of your majesty and virtues.” The tale continued: Having bound Bali, the mighty one who was once the lord of the three worlds, all the gods came to see the eternal Lord. The Siddhas, Brahmarshis, Yakshas, and hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases approached the great-souled one and praised the Supreme Person, Hari. By his grace, the three worlds attained imperishable welfare. Thus addressed by the gods, Siddhas, and supreme seers, Vishnu spoke: “Listen, O best of gods, I will declare the cause by which, together with Brahma, I created the worlds through maya. Long ago, when the three worlds were enveloped by darkness and unmanifest by me, I assumed a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet. Meanwhile, from afar, I beheld one of boundless radiance.