We three—Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra—stood in awe, our gazes fixed upon the footstool of the great Goddess. It was adorned with a myriad of jewels, shining with a brilliance that rivaled ten million suns. Around us, thousands of her companions gathered: some clad in radiant red robes, others in shimmering blue, and still others dressed in auspicious yellow garments. All these goddesses, resplendent in their diverse finery and ornaments, stood on either side of her, wholly absorbed in devoted service. Some among them sang and danced, their voices and movements filled with joy, while others worshipped her with reverence. The air rang with the melodious sounds of vīṇā, flutes, and wind instruments, as the goddesses played in celebration. Listen, O Nārada, to the wondrous vision I beheld there: within the mirror-like surface of the Goddess’s lotus feet, I saw the entire universe reflected—all that moves and all that is still. There, too, were I, Vishnu, Rudra, Vāyu, Agni, Yama, the Sun, Varuṇa, the Moon, Tvaṣṭṛ, Kubera, Indra, the mountains, oceans, rivers, Gandharvas, and Apsarases. I saw Viśvāvasu, Citraketu, Śveta, Citrāṅgada, you, Nārada, Tumburu, and also Hāhā and Hūhū. The Aśvins, Vasus, Sādhyas, Siddhas, Pitṛs, all the Nāgas, including Śeṣa, Kinnaras, Uragas, and Rākṣasas—all were present there. Vaikuṇṭha, Brahmaloka, Kailāsa, the supreme mountain—everything was contained within the very center of her toenail. Upon the lotus arising from the waters, I, the four-faced Brahma, was present, as was the Lord of the universe reclining on Shesha, and even the asuras Madhu and Kaitabha. Thus, I saw with my own eyes that all these worlds were established at the nail of her lotus foot. Amazed, I wondered, “What is this?” Vishnu, too, was filled with wonder, as was Shankara. In that moment, we all realized her to be the Mother of the universe. Time passed as if in a dream. A full hundred years went by as we remained there on that blissful, auspicious island, enjoying countless delights. The goddesses, adorned with dazzling ornaments and radiant with joy, treated us as their companions. Enchanted by the supreme beauty surrounding us, our minds were utterly captivated by the charming forms we beheld. One day, Bhagavan Vishnu, assuming the form of a radiant young woman, began to praise the great Goddess, Shri Bhuvaneshvari. He spoke: “Salutations to the Goddess, to Prakriti, to the Creatrix—unceasing salutations! To the Auspicious One, the Bestower of desires, to Growth and to Success—again and again, salutations! Salutations to You, whose form is Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss in this forest of worldly existence! To You, the Creatrix of the five acts, the Mistress of the worlds—salutations, salutations! Salutations to Her who is the form of all abodes, who is immutable; to Her who is the essence of the half-syllable, to Hrllekha—salutations! Now I understand: all this is established in You. From You arise the creation and dissolution of the world, O Mother. Your power, manifest in all actions, is truly the very essence of all worlds. You expand everything, both mutable and immutable, revealing it perfectly to the Purusha in due time. Through the sixteen and the seven principles, You appear, like a wondrous illusion, for our delight. Without You, nothing exists at all; pervading all, You are ever established. Without Your power, even the Purusha is incapable of action—so declare the wise, O Mother. You constantly delight the entire universe with Your powers, and by Your radiance, You reveal everything. At the time of dissolution, You swiftly absorb all—who indeed can know Your deeds, O Devi, in this world? O Mother, You have protected us from Madhu and Kaitabha, and You have shown us the worlds, spread out by Your will. By Your grace, we have been led to the abode of happiness and the highest bliss, through the vision of You, O Bhavani, of great power. Neither I, nor Bhava, nor Virinchi, O Mother, have understood Your inscrutable deeds; who else could possibly know them? How many worlds exist here, O greatly powerful Bhavani, in this creation composed by You? Here, in this world, we have seen only Hari, Shiva, and Kamalaja, famed for their power; but in other worlds, O Devi, are there not others? What do we know, O Devi, of Your vast and supreme power? I beg of You, Mother, bowing at Your lotus feet, this one desire: may this form of Yours always dwell in my heart; may even Your name ever be on my lips, and may I always behold the vision of Your lotus feet. This servant is always to be devoted to You; in my mind, I constantly reflect, ‘You are the Mistress.’ May the unbroken connection between us ever increase, like that between mother and child. You know all, the entire expanse of the worlds; Your omniscience is complete. O Mother of the Universe, what could a mere mortal like me declare to You? Do what is fitting, O Bhavani; let Your intention be done. Brahma creates, Vishnu sustains, and Rudra, Lord of Uma, destroys—so people say. But is this truly so? O Goddess, it is only by Your will that we act, for we are empowered by Your strength, O birthless one. O Daughter of the Mountain, it is not the earth that supports the world; it is Your sustaining power that upholds everything. Even the sun shines, O Giver of Boons, by Your radiance. You, pure and untainted, shine forth as all this universe. Brahma, I, and the supreme Lord exist only by Your power; we are all born, not eternal. What other gods, even Indra and the rest, are eternal? You alone, O Mother, are the eternal, ancient Prakriti. If You, O Bhavani, show compassion to the ancient Person, then I know that today I am always in Your presence. Otherwise, I, the Lord, beginningless and actionless, would remain only as the self of the universe, but always in darkness, as mere nature. You alone are knowledge for the wise among men; You alone are power for those who possess strength. You are fame, beauty, fortune, and satisfaction; You are the giver of liberation and the very detachment in the world of men. You are the Gayatri, the foremost portion of the Vedas; You are Svaha, Svadha, the blessed one, and the subtle half-syllable with qualities. The Veda itself is prescribed for You, O Bhavani, for the constant reviving of the ancient gods. You create the entire universe solely for the sake of liberation; those who have attained it no longer possess individual existence. The souls are but parts of You, the sinless, beginningless, and endless one, like waves spread out from the full ocean. When the soul realizes that all this is Your doing, then it is known that You withdraw everything. Just as a play, created by an actor, ceases when the purpose is fulfilled, so do You, of manifest power, withdraw when Your work is done. You alone are my savior from the ocean of delusion, O Ambika; I always approach You in great distress. When the end comes, fashioned by passions and the like, which bring much suffering, protect me at that time. Salutations to You, O Goddess, O great wisdom! I bow to Your feet. Always grant me the light of knowledge, O Giver of all aims, O most auspicious one.” Thus, in that sacred place, we witnessed the glory of the Supreme Mother, and our hearts overflowed with devotion, wonder, and gratitude for her boundless power and grace.