By the greatness of Keśava—through his divine play alone—the fierce battle was brought to its end. From the midst of that conflict, the swift one turned away and fled. Then, for the sake of the world’s welfare and for the good of his devotees, Keśava made his way to the sacred mountain Mandara. There, the twice-born sages gathered together, approaching him as if drawn to the brilliance of the radiant sun. Śiva beheld the presence of Nandī, Bhairava, and Keśava—the divine ones assembled before him. Filled with affection, the Lord inhaled the fragrance of Keśava’s head and embraced him warmly. She, too, bowed her head in reverence at the feet of the great Lord. Standing at Śiva’s side, Bhairava bowed and spoke words in praise of Viṣṇu’s greatness. Then, the blessed Lord, together with the goddess, took his seat upon an excellent throne. Those assembled at Mandara beheld the god of gods, the three-eyed one. Meanwhile, the Daitya army gathered, longing for a vision of the Lord. The goddesses, eager and devoted, bowed low and began to sing hymns of praise. Their eyes fell upon Nārāyaṇa, the flawless god, seated resplendently upon the divine throne. Bowing to Lord Īśāna, the noble women respectfully questioned him: “Who is this, so radiant in form, with eyes like lotus petals?” To their inquiry, the great yogi—the imperishable lord of all beings—spoke: “The Lord, who is eternally established, has divided himself in many ways. Yet this one alone is known: the very soul of the universe, Bhavānī, and also Viṣṇu. They call me Keśava, the god, and the goddess as Ambikā. Viṣṇu is the creator and the cause, the giver of the fruits of both enjoyment and liberation. Vāsudeva is the creator and protector, the soul of the universe, facing in all directions. He is the deliverer, the person, the self, the one supreme state. Peaceful, true, ever-blissful—this, the Upaniṣad declares, is the supreme state. This alone is the highest goal among all the paths of beings. I see all this as one; whoever knows this unity is truly liberated. Know only the One, and you will attain bliss. “But those who worship the Lord with divided vision are not dear to me. Though they endure suffering, they are not freed, even in hundreds of millions of aeons. Therefore, having understood this truth, the Lord should be meditated upon in every difficulty. Some do not bow to Nārāyaṇa, the god, nor to the goddess, the daughter of the Himalaya. Yet at the twin feet of Bhavānī, at the lotus feet of Nārāyaṇa, is found the source of the world. Those who do not perceive this source see only a wonder, without understanding. “Deluded, one among them went to the mountain, seeking to seize the goddess Girijā. There, the Supreme Person appeared, ready to do battle with the demons. The god Kālarudra approached, and the mighty god with a thousand arms also arrived. The blessed one, whose form is beheld by women throughout the worlds, shone like the radiant sun. A shower of flowers fell upon the god as all the hosts of the Gaṇas, led by their chief, gathered around. Mounting his celestial vehicle, though devoid of vitality, he prepared for what was to come.