When the world was overrun by mlecchas and afflicted by wicked rulers, the gods offered their obeisance to the Supreme Lord, who had assumed the form of Buddha for the welfare of all. They bowed again to Him, the Lord of gods, who would one day incarnate as Kalki. They recognized that these ten divine incarnations existed solely to protect the devotees, and praised the Lord for destroying wicked demons and removing all suffering. They glorified Him as the destroyer of distress, who took on forms among women and water-born beings, and acknowledged that none but He, the treasure of compassion, could assume such wondrous forms. Having thus extolled the Lord of Lords, clad in yellow garments, the foremost among the gods prostrated themselves with devotion. Hearing their heartfelt hymn, the blessed Supreme Person, wielder of the mace, was delighted and addressed all the gods: “I am pleased by your hymn. O gods, cast off your distress. I will destroy your suffering, which is exceedingly hard to bear. Ask of me a boon, even one most difficult to obtain.” The Lord continued, “I grant, being supremely pleased, that whoever rises in the morning and recites this hymn with devotion to me, making supreme devotion, shall never be touched by sorrow. Misfortune and the goddess of calamity shall not enter his house. No obstacles, spirits, planets, nor Brahmarakshasas, nor diseases from wind, bile, or phlegm will afflict him. Untimely death will never befall him; his lineage will endure, and happiness and all enjoyments will arise. Such blessings will manifest in the house of that mortal who recites this hymn. Why say more? This hymn accomplishes all aims. By its recitation, both enjoyment and liberation are not far off. O gods, whatever suffering you have, speak it without doubt. I will destroy it—let there be no doubt at all.” Hearing these words from the blessed Lord, the dwellers of heaven were gladdened in mind. They again addressed the bull-bannered one, their hearts uplifted. Sūta then said: By the words of the blessed Lord, the gods were satisfied and, their minds joyful, addressed Him once more. They pleaded, “O God of gods, great Viṣṇu, cause of creation, maintenance, and destruction, the Vindhya mountain is obstructing the path of the sun. Because of this opposition, O great Lord, we are deprived of our share of enjoyment. What shall we do? Where shall we go?” 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, propitiate that foremost of twice-born, Agastya of great might. Go to Kāśī and beseech him for the supreme good.” Sūta continued: Thus instructed by Viṣṇu, the best of the gods, full of faith and reverence, all went to the city of Vārāṇasī. In a moment, they reached the auspicious city of Kāśī. Entering Maṇikarṇikā, clothed and filled with devotion, they bathed. They satisfied the gods and ancestors by offering gifts according to the prescribed rites, and then came to the great and exalted hermitage of the eminent sage. The hermitage was peaceful and free from wild beasts, dense with various trees, and frequented by peacocks, cranes, swans, and chakravaka birds. Great wild boars, mongooses, tigers, leopards, deer, antelopes, rhinoceroses, and sarabhas abounded there. The eminent sage, endowed with supreme prosperity, was approached by all the gods, who fell prostrate in reverence and repeatedly bowed. The gods praised him: “Victory to you, lord of the twice-born, honored and worshipped by gods and demons; salutations to you, O Kumbhayoni, destroyer of Vātāpī’s strength. O illustrious lord of Lopāmudrā, born of Mitra and Varuṇa, O Agastya, treasure of all knowledge, origin of scriptures, salutations to you. At whose rising even the brightest waters of the oceans become serene; to you, salutations. To you who cause the blooming of the Kāśa flowers, who are dear to the dwellers of Lanka, who are adorned with matted locks, together with your disciples, salutations. Victory to you, O sage praised by all immortals, repository of virtues, most eminent and revered, together with your wife; salutations to you. Grant us your favor, O master; we have come to you for refuge, afflicted by the unbearable suffering caused by the daughter of the mountain, O radiant one.” Thus praised, Agastya, the supremely righteous sage, spoke with a gracious voice, smiling, “You are the most excellent, O gods, rulers of the three worlds, guardians of the realms, great souls, capable of both restraint and favor. He who is the lord of Amaravati, whose weapon is the thunderbolt, at whose door are the eight siddhis—that is Śakra, lord of the Maruts. Vaiśvānara, the fire, carries offerings for gods and ancestors without ceasing; he is the mouth of all the immortals—what is difficult for him? The formidable lord of the hosts of demons, witness of all deeds, the god whose hand wields the rod—what is hard for him, O gods? Nevertheless, if you, O lords of the gods, have a task requiring my power, then speak; I will do it without doubt.” Hearing these words spoken by the eminent sage, the foremost among the gods became confident, yet anxious with affection, and each stated their own purpose. They said, “O great sage, the passage of the sun has been obstructed by Mount Vindhya; because of this, the three worlds have become plunged into darkness and lifelessness.