Then, in that very place, Brahma beheld the eternal, effulgent light. Before him stood the Lord, smiling gently, flute in hand—the compassionate giver of grace to all His devotees. Pleased with Brahma’s devotion, the Lord of all boons spoke kindly, granting a boon fit for the moment: “My child, become the very abode of countless universes until the time of dissolution. Remain forever untouched by disease, death, old age, sorrow, or any affliction.” Having thus spoken, the Lord leaned close and softly uttered the great six-syllabled mantra into Brahma’s right ear. This mantra began with Om and ended in the fourth grammatical case, comprising the two sacred syllables: ‘Krishna.’ Having bestowed this supreme mantra, the Lord then instructed Brahma on the offering of food, teaching that a Vaiṣṇava should present naivedya—sacred food offerings—in each universe. Whether offered to the attributeless Self, who is also the all-pervading fullness cloaked in darkness, or to any chosen deity, every act of naivedya reaches the Supreme. After giving this excellent mantra, the Lord addressed Brahma again. Hearing Krishna’s words, the great Virāṭ—cosmic being—replied with reverence: “For as long as my life endures, whether brief or long, may it be so that whoever in the world is endowed with devotion to You is always liberated, even while living. What use are recitation, austerities, sacrifices, or ritual worship for one who lacks devotion to Krishna? Such a life is wasted. As long as the self remains within the body, it is endowed with power. And You, O greatly fortunate One, are the Self of all, transcending all nature.” When Virāṭ had spoken thus, the young sage Nārada, present there, fell silent. Then Sri Krishna assured him, “Even at the dissolution of countless Brahmās, you shall never fall from your state. By My portion, O child, become Virāṭ in each separate universe. On the forehead of every Brahma, and also among the eleven Rudras, you will be present. Among these, Kālāgnirudra is the one who brings about the destruction of the universe. By My boon, you will always be endowed with devotion to Me. My beautiful mother rests ever upon My chest.” After these words, the Lord ascended to heaven and addressed Brahma and Shankara. Sri Krishna then revealed, “Listen: within the pore of the great Virāṭ, as well as that of the small creator, all is contained. Go, child—O Mahādeva—be born from the forehead of Brahma.” Having thus spoken, the Lord of the worlds, son of the creator, became silent. Within the pore of the great Virāṭ, inside the cosmic egg and the watery sphere, lay the Lord—dark, youthful, clad in yellow garments, resting upon a watery couch. From His navel-lotus, Brahma was born, emerging from the lotus. Yet, the lotus-born Brahma could not reach the end of the stalk of Padmanābha, the Lotus-naveled Lord. Returning to his own place, Brahma meditated upon the lotus feet of Krishna, who lay enveloped by the cosmic egg, resting on the infinite waters. Meanwhile, in Goloka, Sri Krishna was surrounded by cowherds and the cowherd maidens. The mind-born sons of Brahma—Sanaka and his brothers—came into being. Vishnu appeared in Pātāla, on the left side of the small creator. From the navel-lotus of the small creator, Brahma set about the creation of the universe. Thus, in every pore of the great Virāṭ, the entire universe exists individually, each in its own unique way.