After Viṣṇu’s body was left behind, a radiant light emerged—she shone forth, standing in the heavens. By her grace, Janārdana was freed, and his unconquerable self awakened. For five thousand years, Viṣṇu waged a fierce and supreme battle; then, seeing the demons before him, Hari struck them down, purifying the place where they fell. Rudra arrived at that spot, where both Viṣṇu and I, Brahmā, were present. The three of us—Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Rudra—beheld the charming and tranquil Goddess. We praised her, and the supreme Power spoke to us as we stood before her. With glances full of compassion, she filled us with joy and purity, then addressed us: “O Lords of creation, perform your respective tasks with diligence. The great demons are slain; now create, sustain, and establish your own abodes, and dwell there free from distress. Create all four kinds of beings with your own powers.” Hearing her gentle, pleasing, and sweet words, we replied, “O Mother, how can we create these beings? The earth is not spread out; everywhere there is only water. There are no beings, no qualities, no subtle elements, nor senses.” Hearing our words, the Goddess smiled, her face radiant. Suddenly, from the sky, a splendid aerial chariot appeared. The Goddess said, “O gods, enter as you wish, free from fear. Today, in this celestial chariot, I shall show Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Shiva a wondrous sight.” Hearing her words, we responded, “Om,” and entered the chariot. We ascended and sat in the celestial chariot, adorned with jewels, draped in strings of pearls, and ringing with the sound of little bells. It was delightful, resembling the mansions of the gods. The three of us entered without fear, and the Goddess, who had mastered her senses, gazed upon us. By her own power, she caused the chariot to rise into the sky. From the chariot, together with Hara and the others, we beheld the Goddess. Below us, beautiful trees bearing all fruits were adorned with the songs of cuckoos. The earth, with its mountains, forests, and groves, appeared delightful. We saw women and men, animals, sacred rivers, ponds, wells, reservoirs, marshes, and waterfalls. Before us appeared a splendid city, adorned with divine ramparts, equipped with sacrificial halls, and resplendent with various mansions. Upon seeing that city, we recognized it. Someone asked, “Is this heaven? Who created this wondrous place?” We saw a king, radiant as a god, going out to hunt in the forest, while Ambika stood above us in the chariot. In a moment, the chariot moved through the sky, driven by the wind, and soon reached another enchanting land. There we saw the splendid Nandana grove, fragrant and shaded by Parijata trees. Near the Goddess stood a four-tusked elephant, and groups of Apsaras, including Menaka and others, played in various ways, accompanied by singing and dancing. Hundreds of Gandharvas, as well as Yakshas and Vidyadharas, were also there. In the midst of the Mandara garden, they sang and delighted; there we saw mighty Indra together with Paulomi. We were amazed to see that heavenly realm, along with the lord of the waters, Kubera, Yama, Surya, and Agni. Seeing the gods assembled there, we were filled with wonder. Then the king emerged from that splendid city, unshakable like the king of the gods, standing on the earth with his army. As we watched from the chariot, it swiftly moved onward. Next, we arrived at the divine world of Brahma, revered by all the gods. Upon seeing Brahma, both Hara and Keshava were astonished. In that assembly, all the Vedas with their branches appeared in their true forms, along with the oceans, rivers, mountains, and serpents and nagas. The four-faced one said to me, “Who is this eternal Brahma?” I replied, “I do not know the lord and master of creation. Who am I? Who is he? For what reason is this confusion of mine, O lords?” Then, in an instant, the aerial chariot, swift as the mind, began to tremble. It arrived at the summit of Kailasa, beautiful and attended by hosts of yakshas, in a delightful grove of mandara trees, where peacocks and cuckoos called. The pleasing sounds of veenas and drums resounded, bringing joy and auspiciousness. As soon as the chariot arrived, it halted at that blessed abode. The blessed Shambhu emerged, riding a bull, three-eyed, five-faced, ten-armed, adorned with the crescent moon upon his head. Clad in a tiger skin, with an elephant hide as an upper garment, his two heroic sons stood by his heels—one with an elephant face, the other with six faces. Together with Shiva, his two sons advanced, shining; all the attendants led by Nandi and the great hosts of ganas accompanied them, uttering cries of victory as they proceeded behind Shiva. Seeing that other Shankara, O Narada, we were all astonished there. Filled with doubt by the Mothers, I remained there, O sage. Then, in a moment, the chariot sped away from that mountain peak, swift as the wind. It reached the abode of Vaikuntha, the dwelling of the beloved of Rama. There, my son, I beheld an unimaginable splendor.