Listen, O Māṇḍavya, to the wondrous nature of the Supreme, the one who deludes the wicked and who manifests as the fiery force hidden beneath the ocean’s depths. He is present in the sages—Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Pulaha, Pulastya, Kutsa, Yājñavalkya, Devala, Vyāsa, and Parāśara—whose wisdom shines across the ages. He is found in Śarmmada, Gāṃgeya, Hṛṣīkeśa, and Bṛhacchravas, and also as Nārāyaṇa, the greatly fortunate lord who governs the life-breath. He reigns as the supreme master of udāna and samāna, the vital airs within all beings. He is the first lord of forms, wielding the sword, and bearing the plough as his weapon. As Prakṛti itself, he is adorned with the Kaustubha gem upon his neck and clothed in radiant yellow garments. He is Ananta, of infinite forms, whose divine beauty is reflected in his splendid nails. He is the mighty slayer of Hiraṇyakaśipu and the subduer of Hiraṇyākṣa, the destroyer of Keśin, and the vanquisher of Muṣṭika. He is the conqueror of Ariṣṭa and the beloved of Akrūra. He removes misfortune, shines with blessed radiance, and is himself a devotee of the Bhāgavata. He wields the discus, ever-moving yet transcending movement and stillness. He is present as wind, sight, hearing, tongue, and the very sense of smell. He is Śaṃkara, the all-encompassing, who bestows forbearance and creates patience among men. Praised by devotees, devoted to them, he grants fame and increases renown. He is charity itself, the giver and doer, pure and beloved by the lord of gods. With a thousand heads, he is the healer and the gateway to liberation. Among his forms are Śukra, Sukirīti, Sugrīva, and Kaustubha. He appears as Matsya, Paraśurāma, Prahlāda, and Bali. He is the slayer of Khara and Dūṣaṇa, and the destroyer of Rāvaṇa. He vanquishes Kumbhendrajin and subdues Kumbhakarṇa. He is the destroyer of wicked Asuras and the enemy of Śambara. He broke the Yamala Arjuna trees and grants the merit of asceticism. He is Sāra, beloved of Sāra, Sāura, the destroyer of Time, the severer. He is Prāṇa, Apāna, and Vyāna; he is rajas, sattva, tamas, and śarat. Yet he remains unchanging, of pure form, devoid of all bodies. He is without the sense of touch and without feet, deprived of waking and intellect, without apāna and vyāna, without space and air, without earth and sound. He is freed from passion and sin, devoid of rajas and the six modifications. He is free from greed and hypocrisy. Skilled and the lord of strength, he agitates all, stirring beings and disturbing intellect. He agitates Brahmā and Rudra alike. Yet, he cannot be reached by the skin, nor grasped by the tongue; he cannot be attained by the hands, nor approached by the feet. Such is the Supreme, who pervades all and yet transcends all, beyond the reach of ordinary senses, ever glorious and mysterious.