All around the Great Goddess, radiant and resplendent, stood the personified powers of Love, Prosperity, Intellect, Discernment, Fame, Memory, Fortitude, Faith, Wisdom, Svadhā, Svāhā, Hunger, Sleep, Compassion, and Movement. Each of these divine shaktis was present in her own distinct form, embodying the essence of Contentment, Nourishment, Forgiveness, Modesty, Yawning, and Drowsiness. They encircled the Great Goddess, each separate yet united in their devotion, bearing excellent weapons, adorned with dazzling ornaments, garlanded with flowers of the coral tree, and shining with necklaces of pearls. Amidst this wondrous assembly, Janārdana—Viṣṇu himself—beheld the Goddess and her retinue in the midst of the single, boundless ocean of water. His heart was seized with astonishment at the extraordinary sight. The All-Self, bewildered by this marvel, pondered deeply: "From where have all these women arisen? How am I, of all beings, lying here as a child upon this banyan leaf? In this dreadful, endless ocean, how has this banyan tree come to be? By whom have I been placed here, in the form of a radiant infant? Is this my mother, or some unfathomable Māyā? Who has granted me this vision today, and for what purpose?" He wondered to himself, "What should I do now? Should I speak, or remain silent and alert in my childlike state? Should I go somewhere, or simply watch and wait?" As Viṣṇu lay astonished on the banyan leaf, the Goddess, smiling gently, addressed him: "Viṣṇu, why are you so amazed?" She explained, "By the power of the Great Śakti, you once forgot me. At the time of creation and dissolution, you are born again and again. She is the supreme power, beyond all qualities, while you and I are endowed with qualities. Know that the sattvic power is my own." She continued, "From the lotus of your navel, Brahmā will arise as the lord of creatures, the creator of all worlds, endowed with the quality of rajas. By engaging in austerities and obtaining the supreme power, he will, with rajas, take a red form and create the three worlds. That great-minded one will produce the qualities and the five elements, as well as the senses, their presiding deities, and the mind in due order everywhere—thus accomplishing creation. Therefore, he is called the creator. O highly fortunate one, you are the protector of this universe." "From the middle region of the earth, out of anger, Rudra will arise. By performing terrible austerities and obtaining the tamasic power, at the end of the kalpa, he too, O wise one, will become the destroyer. Therefore, I have come to you; know me as the sattvic one. I shall always remain near you, O Madhusudana; I will eternally dwell in your heart." Viṣṇu then spoke: "O Goddess, I have previously heard half of this verse, clearly and distinctly. By whom was this supreme and auspicious secret spoken, O beautiful one? Tell me, for I am uncertain. Just as a poor man remembers wealth, so do I recall it again and again." Vyāsa narrates that, hearing Viṣṇu’s words, Mahālakṣmī, her face adorned with a gentle smile, replied with great affection and sweetness: "Hear my words, O Śauri. I am endowed with qualities and four-armed; you know me, yet do not know me as the formless one, the abode of all qualities. Know, O highly fortunate one, that by her this has been made manifest. Understand the Bhāgavata as holy, the essence of the Vedas, and the bringer of auspiciousness. I consider the great compassion of the Goddess, O destroyer of enemies, by which this supreme secret was spoken for your benefit, O steadfast one. It must always be preserved in the heart, never forgotten at any time, for it is the essence of all scriptures, revealed as the supreme knowledge. Beyond this, nothing remains to be known in the three worlds. Truly, you are dear to the Goddess, and therefore these words were spoken to you." Thus, says Vyāsa, hearing the words of the four-armed Mahālakṣmī, Viṣṇu kept that supreme mantra always in his heart. After some time, Brahmā was born from the lotus of Viṣṇu’s navel. Terrified by the demons Madhu and Kaiṭabha, Brahmā sought refuge with Hari. Then, after a great battle in which Viṣṇu slew the two demons, the blessed Lord recited half of the sacred verse, clear in every syllable. Seeing Vāsudeva reciting, Prajāpati, delighted, questioned the lotus-born Lord of Lakṣmī: "O Lord of the gods, why do you recite? Is there anyone greater than you? O lotus-eyed Lord of the universe, what do you do to become pleased?" Hari replied, "O highly fortunate one, consider the power that exists in you and me, characterized by action and its cause—that is the blessed, auspicious Goddess. Upon whose support this entire world stands in this great ocean, who is the manifest Great Power, immeasurable and eternal—by whom this universe, both moving and unmoving, is created—she, when pleased, becomes the granter of boons and brings liberation to people. She is the supreme knowledge, the eternal cause of liberation, and also the cause of bondage in the cycle of existence—she is the sovereign of all lords. Know, O Brahmā, without any doubt, that I, you, and the entire universe arise from her consciousness-power. By her, in half a verse, that Bhāgavata was spoken; its full exposition will take place at the beginning of the Dvāpara age." Vyāsa then explains: That which Brahmā received from the lotus of Viṣṇu’s navel was told by him to Nārada, his son of immeasurable wisdom. Long ago, that sage Nārada gave it to me, Vyāsa. I have composed this complete work, now expanded into twelve books. O highly fortunate one, recite this Purāṇa, approved by Brahmā, endowed with five characteristics, and containing the supreme exploits of the Goddess.