Listen, for this tale is sacred: it is said in the Vedas that whoever hears this hymn with devotion, three times a day, will be freed from suffering and find happiness. Its merit equals that of the Vedas themselves. Now, let me reveal the cause behind the loss of Hari’s head, for nothing in this world happens without reason. Once, Vishnu sat beside his beloved, Mahalakshmi, the daughter of the ocean. As he gazed upon her lovely face, he smiled. Lakshmi, noticing this, wondered why her Lord laughed at her. Did he see something deformed in her appearance? She pondered, "How could laughter arise today without a cause? Perhaps he has taken another, more beautiful wife, and regards me merely as a co-wife." Anger welled up in Mahalakshmi, and at that moment, a tamasic—dark—power entered her. By the workings of time and for the accomplishment of the gods’ purpose, this fierce force possessed her. Overcome by anger, she spoke slowly, "Let your head fall!" Without reflection, influenced by her feminine nature and the moment, Lakshmi uttered this curse, which would bring her own loss of happiness. In her mind, she thought, "The pain of having a co-wife is greater than widowhood," and thus, under the sway of that tamasic power, she spoke. It is said that falsehood, recklessness, deceit, foolishness, excessive greed, impurity, and cruelty are faults naturally found in women. Lakshmi then declared, "Today I will restore Vāsudeva with his head, just as before; for by the effect of my curse, his head was submerged in the salt ocean." But, O best of the gods, there is another reason—an important task awaits you all. Long ago, there lived a renowned demon named Hayagrīva, mighty-armed, who performed severe austerities on the bank of the Sarasvatī river. He recited my one-syllabled mantra, the seed of all magic, remaining without food, self-controlled, and free from all enjoyments. Meditating on me as the dark power, adorned with all ornaments, he performed extremely severe austerities for a thousand years. At last, I assumed a dark form and appeared before him, manifesting just as he had envisioned in his meditation. Standing upon a lion, I spoke to him with compassion, "Ask for a boon, O highly fortunate one; I will grant you whatever you wish, O steadfast one." Hearing my words, the demon, filled with love, quickly circumambulated me and prostrated himself. Seeing my form, his eyes blossomed with devotion and tears of joy, and he praised me: "Salutations to the Goddess, the great enchantress, who creates, sustains, and dissolves the universe; skillful in blessing devotees, granter of desires and liberation, auspicious one. You are the cause of earth, water, fire, air, and ether; you are the cause of the forms of the Gandharvas, and of touch and sound. The nose, tongue, eyes, skin, ears—the senses—and the organs of action, O great goddess, all arise from you." I replied, "Tell me what boon you desire; whatever you wish, I will grant it. I am pleased with your devotion and your wondrous austerity." Hayagrīva said, "Mother, let death not come to me; let it be so. May I be immortal, a yogi, and unconquerable by gods and demons." I answered, "For one who is born, death is certain; for one who has died, birth is certain. Such is the order in the world—how can it be otherwise?" "Therefore, O best of demons, having resolved thus about death, choose another boon you desire, after considering in your mind." Hayagrīva asked, "O Mother of the world, let my death come only from one named Hayagrīva, and from no other. Fulfill this wish that is in my heart." I said, "Go home, O greatly fortunate one, and rule your kingdom as you please. Except for Hayagrīva, surely death will not come to you." Having granted him this boon, I vanished from sight. Filled with supreme joy, he returned to his own house. But that wicked soul tormented the sages and the Vedas in every way; now, in the three worlds, there was no one who could slay him. Therefore, the head of this horse, beautiful to behold, will be taken and joined to the body of Vishnu by Tvashta, the divine artisan. Then the blessed Hayagriva will slay that demon—the most sinful and cruel Danava—for the welfare of the gods. Suta continued: Having thus addressed the gods, Sharvani became silent. The gods, exceedingly pleased, then spoke to Tvashta. They said, "Perform the task for the gods—join the horse's head to Vishnu. Hayagriva will slay the foremost Daitya, the Danava." Hearing their words, Tvashta, filled with great haste, swiftly cut off the horse's head with a sword in the presence of the gods. That horse's head was quickly joined to Vishnu's body; by the grace of the great Maya, Hari became Hayagriva. Within a short time, that Danava, intoxicated with pride, was slain with force in battle by the power of the gods’ enemy. Those people on earth who listen to this auspicious narrative become freed from all suffering—there is no doubt. The story of the great Maya is pure and destroys sin; for those who recite or listen to it, it brings all prosperity.