With mind and heart made pure, he devoted himself to the worship of the Supreme. Casting aside all actions, he sought shelter in the highest detachment, letting go of worldly bonds. Through this renunciation, he attained the ultimate contemplation, that meditation which is preceded by realization of the imperishable Brahman—the very state longed for by those tireless seekers of liberation, who have conquered their breath and sleep. Empowered by the mastery of yoga, this foremost of brahmins ascended and moved through the sky itself. As he journeyed on the path, accomplished sages and brahmarshis, recognizing the lord of yogis, drew near to him. He arrived at that sacred place treasured by yogis, where the Supreme Person truly abides. There, he entered the inner sanctum—a realm so profound that even the gods cannot access it. Within that abode, he beheld the God who is without beginning or end, the God of gods, the Grandsire of all. In the midst of that radiant realm, he gazed upon the primordial Person, the supreme dwelling. The One he saw had four noble faces, shining with the glow of radiant flames. As he approached, the very soul of the universe—the God Himself—embraced him. That spotlessly pure abode is known as Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma; it is woven of Brahman’s own brilliance, resplendent and the refuge of the wise. He witnessed the divine radiance there, peaceful, all-pervading, and auspicious. This is the blissful, unshakable Brahman, the supreme abode of the Supreme Lord. Thus, he attained that dwelling of the Self, the imperishable state called liberation. By taking refuge in this ultimate state, the wise one crosses beyond Māyā, Lakṣmī herself. Then, with Śakra among them, all the assembled sages questioned the one whose banner bears Garuḍa, saying, “Tell us in full what you spoke before. Śakra, your friend, the very embodiment of the universe, is eager to listen.” The god, having descended to Rasātala with great sages like Nārada, replied, “In the presence of the king of the gods, I shall share that with you. O brāhmaṇas, to hear the Purāṇa—especially its narration—or even a single story from it, is highly esteemed in the world of Brahmā. What has been spoken by the lord of the gods should be trusted by the twice-born.” “All that I am about to recount was once related by me to Indradyumna. It is the Purāṇa, bestowing merit and teaching the dharma of liberation. After worshipping, I entered deep sleep, resting upon the serpent-bed. Then, O best of sages, a sudden grace arose within me. Yet, at that same moment, for some unknown reason, anger also arose in me, shining with the radiance of the sun, as if it would withdraw the three worlds into itself.” “A woman of exquisite form and gentle face appeared before me, enchanting all beings. She was endowed with divine splendor and adorned with celestial garlands. Filling the place with her own brilliance, she sat down at my side. By her, O Mādhava, this vast creation of mine increases. At my command, after deluding beings, she casts them down into the endless cycle of existence. But I instructed her: ‘Keep far away from those who are free from anger and devoted to truth. Keep far from reciters, ascetics, and Brāhmaṇas. Keep far from Brāhmaṇas devoted to great sacrifices.