With four noble faces, each radiant and adorned with brilliant flames, the great being appeared—his form shining with a divine luster. As he drew near, the very god who is the soul of the universe approached and embraced him with affection and reverence. The place where this encounter happened was pure and spotless, known as Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma—the very essence of the Vedas. This sacred abode was woven from the brilliance of Brahman, resplendent and serene, and it became the refuge for the wise. In that sanctified realm, he beheld the divine radiance—peaceful, all-pervading, and supremely auspicious. This was none other than the blissful, unshakable Brahman, the highest dwelling of the Supreme Lord. There, he attained the imperishable state called liberation, the very abode of the Self. By seeking refuge in this ultimate state, the wise are able to cross over Māyā, the enchanting power of Lakṣmī. All the assembled beings, along with Śakra—the king of the gods—approached the one whose banner bears the mighty Garuḍa. With reverence, they requested, “Please tell us in full what you spoke before.” Śakra himself, your friend and the embodiment of the universe, was eager to listen. Then, the god, having journeyed to Rasātala together with the great sages such as Nārada, declared, “In the presence of the king of the gods, I shall recount all of this. O brāhmaṇas, to hear the Purāṇa, and especially to narrate it, 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.” He continued, “All that I am about to speak now was once related by me to Indradyumna. It is the Purāṇa, bestowing merit upon people and recounting the dharma of liberation. Having performed worship, I entered deep sleep, resting upon the serpent-bed. Then, O best of sages, a sudden grace arose within me. Yet, at that very moment, for reasons unknown, anger also arose in me, shining with a radiance like the sun, as if withdrawing the three worlds into itself. Then, before me appeared a woman of exquisite beauty and gentle countenance, the very enchantress of all beings. Endowed with divine splendor and adorned with celestial garlands, she filled the place with her own brilliance and sat down by my side. It is through her that this vast creation of mine, O Mādhava, continues to increase. I instructed her, ‘By my command, after deluding the beings, cast them down into the cycle of existence. But keep far away from those who are free from anger and devoted to truth. Keep away from the reciters, the ascetics, and the Brāhmaṇas. Avoid those Brāhmaṇas who are steadfast in great sacrifices. By their own self-study and worship, let them be diligently avoided from afar. Steer clear of those pure ones who delight in practices like breath-control and those who study the Atharvaśiras and know dharma. Do not delude those devoted to the worship of the Lord and engaged in my service.’ He performed the rites as instructed; therefore, one should always worship Lakṣmī. Since the consort of the Lord has been worshipped, thus should Lakṣmī be honored. By my command, all moving and unmoving beings came into existence as before. By the power of yoga, he created Daksha, Atri, and Vasiṣṭha. Indeed, those like Marīci and others, devoted to Brahman, are the true practitioners. The Lord then created the Vaiśyas from his thighs and the Śūdras from his feet, O Ancestor.” Thus, the story unfolds, revealing the divine origins, the cosmic order, and the sacred instructions by which the universe is sustained.