Therefore, since she was born from your very body, she chooses you as her consort. With these words, the Creator offered her to you and then departed. He prepared a bed for pleasure, beautifully adorned with flowers and fragrant sandalwood. Having come down to the earth and performed what was needed, he returned again to his own celestial abode. At the very moment of this new union, the goddess herself fell into a swoon. Witnessing this, Vani was filled with distress, though her heart was free from the jealousy that might trouble a co-wife. Now, together with Ganga, there were three wives of the Lord of Lakshmi. At this point, Narada spoke, his curiosity piqued: “Where was Tulasi born, and who was she in her previous birth? In which family did this ascetic maiden take birth, and whose daughter was she? She is described as unchanging in nature, without desire, and the very form of the witness of all. Worthy of worship by all, Lord of all, all-knowing, and the cause of everything—how did such a goddess come to assume the form of a tree? My mind is restless and full of doubt, urging me again and again to ask. O destroyer of all doubts, please dispel this confusion.” Narayana replied: “Renowned and celebrated was he, born from a portion of Vishnu. His son was Dharmasavarni, righteous, pure, and devoted to Vishnu. Dharmasavarni’s son was Devasavarni, steadfast in the vows of Vishnu. Devasavarni’s son was Vrishadhvaja, devoted to Vrishadhvaja. The king and Shiva both cherished Vrishadhvaja with affection greater than for a son. Vrishadhvaja set aside the worship of all other gods. In the month of Magha, he even neglected the worship of Sarasvati. Because of Shiva’s favor, no god cursed the king. Yet, Shankara himself, taking up his trident, restrained the Sun. In anger, Shiva went to Brahma’s world, trident in hand, and there again confronted the Sun. Frightened, all the gods sought refuge in Narayana, the Lord of all. They explained to Hari the cause of their fear. Out of compassion, Narayana granted them freedom from fear, saying, ‘Wherever those afflicted by danger remember me, I am the protector of the worlds; I am always and forever their creator. I am Shiva, I am you, I am also the Sun, the one whose nature is the three gunas. Go now, and may good fortune be yours—why should there be any fear? That blessed Lord is easily pleased, a refuge and the ultimate goal of the virtuous. Sudarshana and Shiva are both dearer to me than life itself. Mahadeva is capable of creating ten million Suns with ease. Such external knowledge is nothing for one who meditates on me day and night. I myself think of their welfare, day and night. The Blessed Lord is of the nature of Shiva, and Shiva is the presiding deity.’ Meanwhile, at that very moment, Shankara arrived there. Swiftly dismounting from his bull, he bowed his head in devotion. He beheld Narayana seated upon a jeweled throne, adorned with radiant ornaments.