In a time when turmoil threatened the worlds, the gods and seekers turned in supplication to Mahadeva, the great Lord himself, and to Hari, the eternal protector. They remembered the boundless power of Bhairava, the god of gods, whose energy knows no limits. Once, there lived a noble king named Virocana, renowned as the son of Prahlada. Through steadfast righteousness, King Virocana upheld and safeguarded the three worlds, protecting all beings—those that move and those that are still. During his reign, the venerable sage Sanatkumara, illustrious among the great sages, arrived at Virocana’s city. Recognizing the sage’s arrival, Virocana rose from his seat, bowed his head in deep reverence, and, with palms joined, spoke humbly: “Today, the very lord of yogis, the knower of Brahman, has graced us with his presence. O son of Brahma, tell me—what service may I perform for you?” Sanatkumara replied, “I have come to see you, for truly, you are most fortunate. In all the three worlds, there is no one whose righteousness equals yours. O best among knowers of Brahman, reveal to me the supreme dharma among all dharmas, the most secret and highest knowledge of the self.” Moved by these words, Virocana entrusted his kingdom to his own son and devoted himself wholly to the practice of yoga. He became deeply devoted to Brahman and to righteousness, and through this strength, he even conquered Purandara, the lord of the gods. Defeated, Purandara sought refuge with Vishnu, the imperishable god. It was then that Virocana’s own thoughts turned to the welfare of the worlds: “May my son be born for the destruction of the lords of the Daityas,” he resolved in his heart. Thus, the gods sought shelter in Vishnu, the unmanifest protector, the supreme refuge—Hari, who is Vasudeva, without beginning or end, the blissful, pure, all-pervading space. In answer to their prayers, Hari, the very self of yoga, appeared before his mother, the goddess. She felt her life fulfilled and began to praise Keshava with heartfelt devotion: “O embodiment of victory, pure as countless aeons, form of bliss—salutations to you, Vasudeva; I bow before you. Salutations to Varaha, and again, salutations to you. O Lord, source of the universe, again and again, salutations to you. Salutations to Shiva, whose form is singular.” Pleased by her devotion, Hari smiled with delight and granted her a boon: “I choose you alone as my mother, for the welfare of the gods—this is the boon I grant.” Having bestowed this immeasurable blessing, he vanished from her sight. Thereafter, the mother of the gods herself bore Narayana as her embryo. Meanwhile, in the city of Bali, son of Virocana, terrible omens began to manifest. The aged asura Prahlada, after bowing, approached the grandsire Brahma and inquired, “What are these omens? What do they portend, and what should we do?” After bowing to Hrishikesha, the lord of the senses, Prahlada spoke further: “The mother has conceived him for the destruction of the asuras, for the sake of the dwellers of heaven. Vasudeva has entered the body of his mother for the good of the gods. Vishnu himself has entered the body of Aditi today, by his own will. That great yogi, the ancient person, Hari, has descended. He, whose form is the very essence of being, is born as a portion of Vishnu. Maya, the blessed Lakshmi, and Janardana have all descended. And from a single portion of Vishnu is born Brahma, the sustainer of existence.” Thus, the divine drama unfolded, as the gods and the worlds awaited the birth of the Supreme, who would restore balance and righteousness once more.