In ancient times, there stood the mighty Vindhya mountain, encircling the sacred Meru and rising so high that it obstructed the path of the sun, casting suffering upon all beings. The gods, troubled by this calamity, wondered who could restrain Vindhya’s unchecked growth, for if the sun’s course was blocked, how would the reckoning of time endure? They lamented that if the sacred forms of svāhā and svadhā were lost, the world would be bereft of refuge, and in their fear and distress, only one protector appeared before them. With reverence, the gods appealed to the Lord, destroyer of suffering and master of Girijā, begging for grace. Śiva, compassionate yet truthful, replied, “O gods, here we do not possess the power to restrain Vindhya’s growth.” He advised, “Let us approach the Blessed Lord Rāmādhava, our master and our very self, worthy of worship and the embodiment of the ultimate cause. Govinda, the Blessed Viṣṇu, is the cause of all causes; let us go to him and share our plight, for only then will our suffering end.” Heeding Śiva’s counsel, the gods, led by Rudra and accompanied by Indra and the lotus-born Brahma, trembling with anxiety, swiftly journeyed to the celestial realm of Vaikuntha. There, they beheld Viṣṇu, the Lord of Lords, husband of Lakshmi, and teacher of the world, radiant and lotus-eyed. With voices choked in devotion, the gods praised Viṣṇu with heartfelt hymns: “Victory to you, O Vishnu, Lord of Lakshmi, primeval Great Person! Enemy of demons, source of desire, bestower of all fruits, Great Boar, Govinda, embodiment of the great sacrifice! O Great Vishnu, Lord of Dhruva, cause of creation, you upheld and rescued the Vedas in your Matsya incarnation. O Satyavrata, Lord of earth, obeisance to you as the Fish! Victory to you, destroyer of demons and accomplisher of the gods’ work! O bestower of nectar, obeisance to you as the Tortoise! Victory to you, who became the primal Boar to destroy the ancient demons and raise up the earth! In the form of Narasimha, you tore apart the boon-intoxicated demon. As Vamana, you unsettled Bali and bewildered the lordship of the three worlds. Obeisance to you, enemy of the thousand-armed, destroyer of wicked kshatriyas! Born from Renuka’s womb, obeisance to you as Jamadagni’s son, skilled in slaying wicked rakshasas and Paulastya. O illustrious son of Dasharatha, obeisance to you of infinite steps! When the earth was burdened by demons like Kamsa and Duryodhana, you relieved her, established dharma, and drove away sin. Obeisance to Krishna, divine in many forms, destroyer of wicked sacrifices and animal slaughter. Obeisance to you, God, who assumed the form of Buddha for this purpose! When the world was filled with mlecchas and oppressed by wicked kings, obeisance to you, Lord of gods, who will assume the form of Kalki! These ten incarnations, O God, protect your devotees and destroy wicked demons. Victory to you, remover of all suffering, who have assumed forms among women and water-born beings! Who else but you is a treasure of compassion?” Having offered these praises to the Lord of Lords, clad in yellow garments, the gods bowed in full prostration, their hearts filled with devotion. The blessed Supreme Person, delighted by their hymn, spoke to them: “I am pleased by your hymn. O gods, cast off your distress. I will destroy your suffering, no matter how hard it is to bear. Ask of me a boon, even one most difficult to obtain. Whoever rises in the morning and recites this hymn with devotion to me, making supreme devotion, will never be touched by sorrow. Misfortune and calamity will not enter his house; no obstacles, spirits, planets, or Brahmarakshasas, nor diseases from wind, bile, or phlegm will afflict him. Untimely death will not befall him; his lineage will endure, and all happiness will arise. Such blessings will manifest for the mortal who recites this hymn. This hymn accomplishes all aims; enjoyment and liberation are not far off for those who recite it. O gods, speak your suffering without doubt—I will destroy it. Let there be no doubt.” Hearing the Lord’s promise, the dwellers of heaven, their minds gladdened, addressed the bull-bannered one again. Sūta said: By the Lord’s words, the gods were satisfied and, with joyful hearts, spoke again. “O God of gods, great Viṣṇu, cause of creation, maintenance, and destruction, the Vindhya mountain is obstructing the sun’s path. Because of this, O great Lord, we are deprived of our share of enjoyment. What shall we do?” The Blessed Lord replied, “She who is the originator and increaser of all worlds, the blessed Goddess—her worshipper, radiant in austerity, is the eminent sage Agastya, who resides in Vārāṇasī. O best of gods, Agastya will be the one to subdue that power. Go to Kāśī, propitiate the foremost of twice-born, Agastya of great might, and beseech him for the supreme good.” Thus, the gods, guided by the Lord, prepared to seek the sage Agastya, whose devotion and power alone could subdue Vindhya and restore harmony to the world.