Vishnu, after performing intense austerities for a span of a hundred manvantaras, became the great protector of the worlds. Likewise, Shesha, with unwavering devotion, undertook austerities for an entire manvantara, O Narada. Vayu, too, purified himself by devoted penance for a divine hundred ages. In this way, through Krishna’s own austerities, all the gods were duly worshipped. Thus, everything has been revealed to you, including the sacred Purana and the Agama. At this point, Narada spoke: “O Lord, you have described the natural dissolution at the time of cosmic fall. It is said that during this dissolution, the earth was not to be seen. When the earth disappeared, where did she remain? How did she come to be blessed, honored, the support of all, and victorious?” Shri Narayana replied: “Manifestation and disappearance occur with every dissolution, Narada. Listen well to the origin of the earth, which holds both auspicious and inauspicious qualities. Some say the earth arose from the marrow of Madhu and Kaitabha. Long ago, those two addressed Vishnu, pleased by their valor in battle. During their lifetime, it is said, the earth became clearly manifest. She is known as Medini; listen to the view expressed by them. “But I will tell you the origin that is meaningful and accepted by all. From the great cosmic body, which lay in the waters for a long time, the Lord entered into all the pores of its hairs. In each and every pore, the earth remained firmly within the cavities. At the time of creation, she manifested, emerging from those waters. In every universe, the earth appears, accompanied by mountains and forests. She is joined with the Himalayas and Meru, and with the planets, the moon, and the sun. She is endowed with holy pilgrimage sites and the sacred land of Bharata. “Beneath her lie the seven netherworlds, and above them is the world of Brahma. Thus, all the worlds are indeed established upon the earth. Yet, all these worlds—whether artificial or natural—are perishable. In the creation that began with the great cosmic being, all was created by Krishna himself. “That goddess who presides over the earth was worshipped by the gods in the form of Varahi. The scriptures acknowledge her as the wife of Vishnu in his boar incarnation. Narada then asked, ‘By the Boar, Varahi, who is the support of all, was united with him. How was she worshipped, and by what order was she raised up?’ Narayana continued, “Having slain the demon Hiraṇyākṣa, Vishnu in his boar form lifted the earth from the lower regions. He placed her gently upon the waters, like a lotus leaf floating upon the ocean. Seeing that goddess there, filled with desire, Hari—the passionate one—created a delightful bed for pleasure and assumed a most enchanting form. From the joyful union and his loving touch, the beautiful goddess fell into a swoon. So deep was her rapture in Vishnu’s embrace that she became unaware of day or night. “Then, by his own divine play, Vishnu assumed his original form, as well as the form of the Boar. The goddess was worshipped with incense, lamps, offerings of food, and anointments with vermilion. Mahāvarāha declared: ‘By sages, Manus, gods, Siddhas, or by humans and others, she is to be honored and worshipped.’” Thus, the story of earth’s origin, her rescue, and her worship is revealed, as told by Shri Narayana to Narada.