Śakra, the great Indra—your friend and the very embodiment of the universe—was filled with eagerness to hear these ancient truths. Accompanied by illustrious sages such as Nārada, this mighty god journeyed to Rasātala. There, in the presence of the king of the gods himself, I resolved to narrate the sacred account. O revered brāhmaṇas, know that merely listening to the Purāṇa, and especially its narration, or even a single story from it, is held in the highest esteem in the world of Brahmā. What has been spoken by the lord of the gods is worthy of the utmost trust from the twice-born. All that I am about to relate to you, I once recounted to the noble Indradyumna. This is the Purāṇa, which bestows merit upon all who hear it and reveals the dharma of liberation. After offering my worship, I entered deep sleep, reclining upon the great serpent-bed. Then, O foremost of sages, a sudden wave of grace arose within me. Yet, at that very moment, for reasons unknown, anger too welled up inside me, shining with the radiance of the sun, as if drawing back the three worlds. Before me appeared a woman of exquisite beauty and gentle face, enchanting to all beings. She was adorned with divine splendor and celestial garlands, her brilliance filling the very space around us. She sat beside me, and it is she through whom this vast creation of mine, O Mādhava, ever increases. By my command, she deludes beings and casts them into the endless cycle of existence. Yet I instructed her: keep far away from those who are free from anger and devoted to truth; avoid the reciters, ascetics, and brāhmaṇas; shun those brāhmaṇas who are steadfast in great sacrifices; by their self-study and worship, diligently avoid them from afar. Steer clear of those pure souls who delight in practices such as breath-control, and those who study the Atharvaśiras and know dharma. Do not delude those who are devoted to the Lord’s worship and service. In this way, the rites were performed as prescribed, and thus one should always worship Lakshmi, the consort of the Lord. Since the goddess has been properly honored, so too should Lakshmi ever be revered. By my command, all moving and unmoving beings came into existence as before. Through the power of yoga, Daksha, Atri, and Vasishta were created. Indeed, those such as Marichi and others, devoted to Brahman, are the true practitioners of dharma. The Lord fashioned the Vaishyas from his thighs and the Shudras from his feet, O Ancestor. For the protection of all the Vedas, the sacrifice arose from them. This eternal and imperishable power is the very nature of Brahma. In the beginning, she became composed of the Vedas, and from her all activities arise. The wise do not delight in those who turn away from this, for such become heretics. Know this to be the supreme dharma, not established in other scriptures. All other paths are declared fruitless after death, leading only to darkness and misfortune. Those whose inner faculties are pure and who are always devoted to their own dharma are truly blessed. O best of sages, adharma is whatever obstructs one’s own dharma. Their attainments were of the nature of rajas alone, and from that, other accomplishments arose. Then, the all-pervading Brahma established righteous action and the means of livelihood for all beings.