You are supreme among all, taking the form of every relative, so that all relationships find their origin and fulfillment in you. One who is deprived of your presence is truly deprived of kin, while one who is united with you is united with all their relatives. You are the mother to infants just as a mother is to her child in its earliest days. If an infant is deprived of its mother’s breast, it lives only by divine grace alone. O Ambika, your nature is supremely gracious; please be gracious to me. As long as we are separated from you, we are as beggars, deprived of all kin and comfort. Therefore, O goddess of the gods, grant me a kingdom, grant me wealth, grant me strength. O beloved of Hari, grant me desire, grant me wisdom, and grant me all enjoyments. Such is your supreme authority, your power, and your brilliance. Having spoken these words, Mahendra—Indra—along with all the hosts of gods, as well as Brahma, Shankara, Shesha, Dharma, and Keshava, stood before the goddess. She granted the gods a boon and bestowed upon them a charming garland of flowers. Satisfied, the gods each departed to their own abodes, O Narada. Brahma and Ishana too returned to their own homes. Whoever recites this highly meritorious hymn at the three junctions of the day becomes blessed. If one recites this accomplished hymn, he too becomes like a wish-fulfilling tree, granting the desires of others. If one recites it with restraint for a month, seeking success, the results are assured. Narada then spoke: “O Lord, you previously declared that all worship is performed in his presence.” It was that very flower, bestowed by the goddess, that was placed upon the head of Gajendra. When the head of Ganapati was severed by Shani’s gaze long ago, O sage, and now, having worshipped the six gods as instructed, Purandara, the words of the speakers of the Puranas are indeed difficult for men to understand. Shri Narayana replied: “At that time, there was no such birth; it occurred at the time of worship. For a long time, the gods wandered in sorrow, afflicted by Brahma’s curse.” Narada continued: “By your form, your qualities, your fame, your brilliance, and your radiance, you alone are foremost among the wise, the accomplished, and the yogis. The tale of Mahalakshmi is known—wondrous and great. Now, tell me another hidden story, one not revealed in the Puranas, but spoken of in the Vedas and connected with dharma.” Shri Narayana responded: “O brahmana, there exists in the Vedas a secret that is very difficult to obtain. Among these, do you wish to hear that which is the very essence?” Narada replied: “In offerings to the ancestors, svadhā is praised, and the gift (dakshina) is considered superior to all. Their deeds, their birth, their fruits, and their preeminence—tell me of these.” The sūta said: He began to narrate an ancient tale as told in the Puranas. Shri Narayana said: “In Brahmaloka, in Brahma’s assembly, which was exceedingly delightful, they came and made a request to you, O sage, for the sake of food. The Lord, in the form of sacrifice, appeared there by a portion of himself. Brahmanas offered oblations, and the kshatriyas and others did so with devotion. Yet all the gods, being dejected, returned again to that assembly. Hearing of their plight, Brahma mentally took refuge in Shri Krishna. Prakriti, by her portion, is the embodiment of all powers. She is the one who causes even the radiance of the midday summer sun to be subdued.