As the divine drama unfolded, an astonishing event shook the heavens and earth. Even the vast path of the sky was obstructed—a marvel that left all beings in awe. “Truly,” wondered the wise, “what would a hero not attempt when treading a forbidden path?” The course meant for the celestial horses was blocked, and fate proved itself stronger than any will. Just as Rahu, ever eager to seize, never lingers for a moment, so too did destiny assert its power, indifferent to obstacles. Despite the path’s obstruction enduring for a long time, the force of destiny remained unconquerable. With the sun’s route blocked, all the worlds, along with their lords, became helpless. They could find neither refuge nor a way forward; even Citragupta, the meticulous recorder of deeds, knew that time itself was marked by the sun. But now, the Vindhya mountain, out of rivalry, had risen to obstruct the sun’s passage—a startling reversal of fate. As the sun was blocked, the sacred utterances of svāhā and svadhā, which sustain offerings to gods and ancestors, faded away. The world teetered on the brink of destruction. The western and southern regions, their eyes closed in sleep, were plunged into night, while the eastern and northern regions suffered under fierce, scorching heat. Creatures perished, lost and destroyed, and the whole world was filled with lamentation, deprived of its rituals and offerings. The gods, led by Indra, were deeply disturbed, crying out, “What shall we do?” Seeing their plight, Sūta narrated how all the hosts of gods, led by mighty Mahendra and with the Lotus-born Brahma at their head, approached Rudra for refuge. They worshipped the Lord of gods, dwelling upon the mountain and adorned with the crescent moon, bowing reverently and offering hymns and splendid praises. The gods sang: “Victory to you, O Lord, Chief of the Gaṇas, whose lotus is cherished by Umā, Giver of eight supernatural powers and glories to your devotees. You who dwell in the play of the great Māyā, Supreme Self, Bull-bannered Lord of immortals, abiding on Kailāsa. To Ahibudhnya, the Venerable One, the Giver of honor to Manu, the Unborn, of many forms, who delights in his own Self, to Śambhu—salutations. Lord of the Gaṇas, God, Lord of the Mountain, Giver of great powers, praised by Mahāviṣṇu. Who dwells in the lotus of Viṣṇu’s heart, devoted to supreme yoga, attainable through yoga, the essence of yoga, Lord of yogins—salutations. Giver of the fruits of yoga, embodiment of compassion, dispeller of suffering, fierce in power, embodiment of virtues, Bull-bannered, Time itself and the ender of Time—salutations.” Thus praised by the sacrificers, the Bull-bannered Lord smiled at the best of the gods and spoke in a deep voice: “I am pleased, O gods, O best among men, by your hymn; I shall fulfill your desire, O foremost of the gods.” The gods replied, “Lord of all gods, Lord of the Mountain, radiant with the crescent moon, you are the remover of distress—grant us well-being, O mighty one. There is a mountain named Vindhya, encircler of Meru, towering high; he obstructs the path of the sun and brings suffering to all, O sinless one. O Lord, restrain his growth, be the doer of all good; if the sun’s course is blocked, how will the reckoning of time remain? If svāhā and svadhā are lost, who will be the refuge in the world? For us, distressed by fear, you alone are seen 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 his 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 these words from the Lord of the Mountain, the gods, along with Indra and the Lotus-born Brahma, trembling and led by Rudra, swiftly journeyed to the world of Vaikuntha. Upon reaching the Lord of Lords, the husband of Lakshmi and teacher of the world, the gods beheld Vishnu, lotus-eyed and radiant. With voices choked with devotion, they praised him with a hymn: “Victory to you, O Vishnu, Lord of Lakshmi, primeval Great Person! Enemy of demons, source of desire, bestower of all desired fruits, Great Boar, Govinda, embodiment of the great sacrifice! O Great Vishnu, Lord of Dhruva, cause of the universe’s creation, in your Matsya incarnation you upheld and rescued the Vedas. O Satyavrata, Lord of the earth, obeisance to you in the form of the Fish! Victory to you, destroyer of demons, accomplisher of the gods’ work! O Lord, bestower of nectar, obeisance to you in the form of the Tortoise! Victory to you, who took the primal Boar form for the destruction of ancient demons! Obeisance to you who took the form of the Boar to raise up the earth! You assumed the form of Narasimha and tore apart the great demon. Obeisance to Narahari, who with his nails tore the body of the boon-intoxicated one! Assuming the form of Vamana, you bewildered the lordship of the three worlds. You unsettled Bali in the form of Vamana; obeisance to you in that form! Enemy of the thousand-armed, destroyer of wicked kshatriyas! Born from Renuka’s womb, obeisance to you as Jamadagni’s son! Most skilled in cutting off the heads of wicked rakshasas and the Paulastya. O illustrious son of Dasharatha, obeisance to you of infinite steps! By demons like Kamsa and Duryodhana, who were stains upon the earth, when the earth was burdened, you, the great Lord, relieved her; you established dharma and drove away sin far off. Obeisance to Krishna, the divine one, in many ways, O Lord! For the destruction of wicked sacrifices and the cessation of animal slaughter.” Thus, the gods, in their distress, sought refuge in the supreme Lord, recounting his wondrous deeds and incarnations, beseeching him to restore balance and well-being to the worlds.