Sūta continued his narration: When Vyāsa, radiant with immeasurable brilliance, finished speaking, King Janamejaya was overcome with emotion. Tears welled in his eyes and his heart was seized by a deep sorrow. Grief and regret poured from him as he lamented, “Alas for my life today, when my own father dwells in hell! I must act so that, like the son of Uttara, my father too may attain heaven.” With this resolve, Janamejaya turned to Vyāsa and asked, “Grandfather, how did Hari, the all-powerful Vishnu—the very cause of the universe—perform the ancient sacrifice? Who assisted him? Which Brahmins, which officiating priests, and which knowers of the Vedas took part? O wise one, please tell me all this, for after hearing about Vishnu’s sacrifice for Ambikā, I too wish to perform such a sacrifice, following the proper rites.” Vyāsa replied warmly, “O great and fortunate king, listen closely as I recount in detail the wondrous story of how the Blessed Lord performed that sacrifice, following the right method. “In the beginning, when the Goddess released her power, she granted three mighty energies. From these, the Lords of action—foremost among the gods—were born as men and took their places in splendid aerial chariots. These three great gods journeyed to the dreadful, vast ocean. There, by their creative power, they formed the earth and established their own abodes. “Then the Goddess herself released the immovable supporting power. This support, endowed with marrow, became the earth and was made firm. Because the earth arose from the union of the marrow of Madhu and Kaitabha, she came to be called Medinī. She is also called Dharā, for she supports all things, and Pṛthvī, for her vast expanse. “This earth, the greatest of all, is borne upon the head of the serpent Shesha. To provide further support, all the great mountains were created, broad and vast. Just as iron pegs are fixed into wood, so were these mountains set into the earth. Among them, the greatest is called Mahīdhara by the wise and by the people. “Mount Meru, made of gold and stretching for many yojanas, was created next. Its peaks gleam with precious gems, making it a wondrous sight. “Then, from Brahma were born his renowned sons: Marichi, Narada, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Daksha, and Vasiṣṭha. From Marichi came Kashyapa, and from the thirteen daughters of Daksha, countless gods and demons were born. “From Kashyapa’s line, a vast and diverse creation arose—humans, animals, serpents, and many other species. From half the body of Brahma was born Manu, called Svayambhuva. From his left side came a woman, Shatarupa. To these two were born two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada, and three daughters of surpassing beauty. “Thus, the Blessed One, born from the lotus, brought forth all creation and made the delightful world of Brahma on the summit of Meru. Blessed Vishnu then created Vaikuntha, the supreme abode of delight for Lakshmi, a place of wondrous beauty, situated above all the worlds. Shiva, too, established his supreme abode, Kailāsa, and, surrounded by hosts of spirits, dwelled there as he pleased. “Heaven, called Triviṣṭapa, was created atop Mount Meru’s summit—a realm adorned with many jewels, becoming the domain of Indra, king of the gods. “From the churning of the ocean arose the supreme Pārijāta tree, the four-tusked elephant, the mighty serpent, and Kāmadhenu, the wish-granting cow. Uccaiḥśravā, the celestial horse, appeared, as did Rambhā and other apsarases. All these were claimed by Indra and became the ornaments of heaven. Dhanvantari and the Moon also emerged from the ocean, both shining resplendently in heaven, surrounded by many attendants. “In this way, O best of kings, the threefold creation came into being—gods, animals, humans, and countless others, each fashioned in various forms. Beings endowed with karma were born in four ways: from eggs, from sweat, from sprouts, and from wombs. “Having thus brought forth creation, Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśvara each enjoyed themselves in their own abodes as they wished. When creation was thus set in motion, the unchanging, glorious Lord sported in his own world together with Mahālakṣmī. “Once, long ago, Viṣṇu, residing in Vaikuṇṭha, remembered the jewel-adorned island situated in the ocean of nectar. There, beholding Mahāmāyā and receiving a sacred mantra, he recalled that supreme power and took on a feminine form. “Desiring to perform a sacrifice to Ambikā, the Lord of Lakṣmī left his world and summoned Maheśvara. He invited Brahmā, Varuṇa, Śakra, Kubera, Pāvaka, Yama, Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, Dakṣa, Vāmadeva, and Bṛhaspati. He arranged for extensive sacrificial materials, abundant in opulence, pure in nature, and pleasing to the mind. “A grand pavilion was constructed by skilled artisans, and twenty-seven priests of excellent vows were chosen. The altar and broad sacrificial platforms were built, and the Brāhmaṇas recited mantras of the Goddess, charged with her seed syllables. They offered oblations as prescribed, with heartfelt desire, into the well-prepared fire. “When the sacrifice was complete and the fire established, a bodiless voice resounded. In sweet and melodious tones, it addressed Viṣṇu: ‘O Viṣṇu, always be the foremost among the gods, O Hari. You will be honored, worshipped, and powerful even among the gods; all—including Brahma and Indra—will revere you. O dear one, through devotion to you, humans everywhere on earth will become powerful, and you will be the grantor of boons to all among mankind.’ “Thus, O king, was the wondrous sacrifice of Vishnu for Ambikā performed in ancient times.