Sūta continued his narration: When Viṣṇu, the greatest among the gods, had given his instructions, all the assembled deities, filled with deep faith and reverence, set forth for the sacred city of Vārāṇasī. In a mere moment, these foremost gods arrived at the auspicious city of Kāśī. Entering the holy Maṇikarṇikā, their hearts brimming with devotion, they bathed in its purifying waters. After their ablutions, the gods performed the prescribed offerings to satisfy both the gods and their ancestors, carrying out every rite with care. Their duties fulfilled, they proceeded to the splendid hermitage of a renowned sage—a place serene and undisturbed by wild beasts, shaded by a rich variety of trees, and alive with the calls of peacocks, cranes, swans, and chakravaka birds. The forests around the hermitage teemed with wild boars, mongooses, tigers, leopards, deer, antelopes, rhinoceroses, and the mighty sarabhas. In this tranquil and prosperous retreat resided the eminent sage Agastya. The gods approached him with utmost reverence, prostrating themselves before him and bowing repeatedly. With voices full of respect, they addressed him: “Victory to you, O lord of the twice-born, revered by gods and demons alike! Salutations to you, O Kumbhayoni, destroyer of Vātāpī’s might. O illustrious lord of Lopāmudrā, born of Mitra and Varuṇa, O Agastya, treasure-house of all knowledge and origin of the scriptures, we bow to you. At your rising, even the brightest waters of the oceans become calm. Salutations to you, who bring forth the blooming of the Kāśa flowers, who are beloved by the dwellers of Lanka, who are adorned with matted locks, together with your disciples. Victory to you, O sage praised by all immortals, repository of virtues, most eminent and revered, with your noble wife—salutations to you! Bestow your favor upon us, O master; we have come to you for refuge, afflicted by the unbearable suffering caused by the daughter of the mountain, O radiant one.” Hearing these words of praise, Agastya, that supremely righteous sage, smiled graciously and spoke in a gentle voice: “O gods, you are indeed the most excellent—rulers of the three worlds, guardians of the realms, great souls, capable of both restraint and favor. There is Śakra, lord of Amaravati, whose weapon is the thunderbolt, at whose threshold the eight siddhis reside—he is the lord of the Maruts. Vaiśvānara, the fire, ceaselessly carries offerings for gods and ancestors; he is the mouth of all immortals—what could be difficult for him? And the formidable lord of the hosts of demons, witness to all deeds, whose hand wields the rod—what is hard for him, O gods? Yet, if you, O lords of the gods, have a task that requires my power, speak it plainly; I shall accomplish it without hesitation.” Encouraged by the sage’s words, the gods, though still anxious with affection, gained confidence and each spoke of their purpose: “O great sage, the sun’s passage has been blocked by Mount Vindhya. Because of this, the three worlds have been plunged into darkness and lifelessness. O sage, restrain the growth of that mountain with your ascetic power and glory. Surely, by your radiance, Agastya, Vindhya will be humbled. This is the task we ask of you.” Thus, the obstruction caused by Vindhya’s growth was described. When the sage born from the pot, Agastya, accepted this task, all the gods became exceedingly joyful. Having received his assurance, the gods returned to their own abodes, and the illustrious sage turned to his wife, the royal maiden Lopāmudrā. He said to her, “O princess, a great obstacle has arisen, bringing misfortune. By blocking the sun’s path, Mount Vindhya has created this impediment. I have understood the reason for this, and I recall the ancient saying of the wise seers regarding Kāśī: ‘Avimukta should never be abandoned by those who seek liberation; yet, obstacles will arise even for the virtuous who dwell in Kāśī.’ Beloved, such an obstacle has come to me while residing in Kāśī.” Having thus spoken to his wife, the great ascetic sage prepared for his task. He bathed at Maṇikarṇikā and, after beholding the Lord of the Universe, the mighty Daṇḍapāṇi, he worshipped him and then approached King Kāla. Agastya prayed, “O King Kāla, mighty-armed, remover of fear for devotees, why, O Lord, do you distance yourself from the city of Kāśī? You are the destroyer of obstacles for those dwelling here, the protector of devotees—why do you distance me, your devotee? I have not spoken ill of others, nor slandered, nor lied; by what karma am I thus distanced from Kāśī?” After offering this prayer to Kālanātha, Agastya went to Sākṣivighneśa, the Lord who removes all obstacles. Having seen, worshipped, and prayed to him, the illustrious Agastya, husband of Lopāmudrā, departed from the city, setting out toward the southern direction. Though afflicted by separation from Kāśī, the sage, a great repository of fortune, constantly remembered the holy city as he journeyed with his wife. Mounting the vehicle of his ascetic power, Agastya, in but half a moment, found himself before the Vindhya, which loomed high, blocking the sky. The mountain, beholding the sage standing before it, trembled and swiftly lowered itself, as if wishing to touch the earth. With great devotion, Vindhya, lord of the peaks, fell prostrate before Agastya, bowing low. With a cheerful face, the sage Agastya said to Vindhya, “Child, remain here just as you are until I return. I am unable to climb your lofty mountain, dear one.” Having thus spoken, the sage, intent on his mission, continued on his journey toward the southern direction.