Vindhya, the mighty mountain, had resolved within himself to humble the proud celestial serpent. Filled with this determination, Vindhya began to grow, stretching his lofty peaks as if to touch the very sky. His form expanded in all directions, towering and unyielding, as he waited eagerly for the Sun’s rise, intent on obstructing his path. As Vindhya pondered his purpose, night quietly passed, and with the coming of a pure morning, the darkness was swept away by the Sun’s radiant beams. The Sun rose from the mountain horizon, ascending into the sky, shining brilliantly and illuminating the world with his auspicious rays. With his rise, the lotus blossomed, the water-lily closed, and all living beings began their daily tasks. The lord of rays, the Sun, divided the day into morning, afternoon, and midday, thus increasing the offerings to gods and ancestors, the oblations to spirits, and the prosperity of the divine hosts. As he moved, he brought comfort to the eastern and southeastern directions, which had long been separated and pained, as if beloveds parted and now soothed by his presence. Leaving the direction of Fire, the Sun then swiftly journeyed toward the southern quarter. But he found himself unable to proceed further. At that moment, Anuru approached and reported, “O Sun, Vindhya, grown proud, now stands blocking the very sky.” Anuru explained further, “He competes with Meru, desiring the circumambulation you once granted.” Hearing these words, the Sun reflected deeply, marveling that even the path of the sky could be obstructed. “How astonishing!” he thought. “Truly, what would a hero not do when he treads a forbidden path? My horses’ way is blocked; fate is indeed stronger. Even Rahu, eager to seize me, does not linger for a moment. If the path is blocked for long, what can powerful destiny not accomplish?” With the Sun’s path obstructed, all the worlds and their lords were thrown into confusion, unable to find any refuge or solution. Even Citragupta, who marks time by the Sun, was left uncertain. Vindhya’s rivalry had brought about a reversal of fate: the utterances of svāhā and svadhā—the sacred offerings—were lost, and the world was on the verge of perishing. The western and southern regions fell into darkness as if asleep, while the eastern and northern lands were scorched by unbearable heat. Creatures everywhere died, were lost, destroyed, and perished. The world was filled with lamentation, deprived of offerings to ancestors and gods. The gods, with Indra at their head, were greatly disturbed and cried out, “What shall we do?” At this crisis, all the hosts of gods, led by Mahendra (Indra) and with Brahma, the Lotus-born, at their head, approached Rudra for refuge. They worshipped the Lord of gods, the Dweller on the Mountain, adorned with the crescent moon, bowing with reverence and singing splendid hymns of praise. They hailed him: “Victory to you, O Lord, Chief of the Gaṇas, whose lotus is cherished by Umā, Giver of the eight supernatural powers and glories to your devotees; you who dwell in the play of great Māyā, Supreme Self, Bull-bannered Lord of immortals, abiding on Kailāsa; Ahibudhnya, Venerable One, Giver of honor to Manu, the Unborn, of many forms, who delights in his own Self, Śambhu; Lord of the Gaṇas, God, Lord of the Mountain, Giver of great powers, praised by Mahāviṣṇu; you who dwell in the lotus of Viṣṇu’s heart, devoted to supreme yoga, attainable through yoga, essence of yoga, Lord of yogins—salutations! Lord of yogins, Giver of the fruits of yoga, ocean of compassion to those who give to the distressed; dispeller of suffering, fierce in power, embodiment of virtues, Bull-bannered, Time itself and the ender of Time—salutations!” Thus praised by the gods, the Bull-bannered Lord smiled at them and spoke with a deep voice: “I am pleased, O gods, O best among men, by your hymn. I will fulfill your desire, O foremost of the gods.” The gods replied, “O Lord of all gods, Lord of the Mountain, radiant with the crescent moon, remover of distress—grant us well-being, O mighty one! There is a mountain named Vindhya, the encircler of Meru, towering high; he blocks the Sun’s path and brings suffering to all, O sinless one. Restrain his growth and be the doer of all good. If the Sun’s course is blocked, how will time itself be reckoned? If svāhā and svadhā are lost, who will be the world’s refuge? We, distressed by fear, look to you alone as protector. O God, destroyer of suffering, be gracious, Lord of Girijā.” Śiva replied, “We do not have the power here, O gods, to restrain Vindhya’s growth. We shall speak to the Blessed Lord, Rāmādhava; he is our master, our very self, worthy of worship, the embodiment of the cause. Govinda, the Blessed Viṣṇu, is the cause of all causes. Going to him, we will tell him, and the end of our suffering will come.” Hearing the words of the Lord of the Mountain, the gods, with Indra and the Lotus-born Brahma, trembling and led by Rudra, swiftly went to the world of Vaikuntha. There, having reached the Lord of Lords, the husband of Lakshmi and teacher of the world, the gods beheld Vishnu, radiant and lotus-eyed. With voices choked with devotion, they praised him with a hymn: “Victory to you, O Vishnu, Lord of Lakshmi, primeval Great Person! Enemy of the demons, source of desire, bestower of all desired fruits, Great Boar, Govinda, embodiment of the great sacrifice!