Seek refuge in him alone, for in doing so, you will find true peace. In ages past, he, the refuge of the entire universe, upheld righteousness and protected all beings. From the sage Kaśyapa and his wife Aditi—the revered mother of the gods—he was born into this world. When he appeared, his form was like a dark raincloud, radiant and resplendent, adorned with divine splendor. He was known as Upendra, and he was surrounded by Indra, the foremost of the gods, as well as Brahmā and the great seers. By his actions, he demonstrated the highest conduct for all three worlds, as once taught by the sage Bharadvāja. Whatever standard he set, the entire world would follow without question. Through grand sacrifices, the gods worshipped Viṣṇu, the lord of sacrifice, who pervades and sustains all things. The Brahmarṣis, the great seers, gathered at the sacrificial ground of that exalted soul. Then, assuming the diminutive yet wondrous form of Vāmana, he arrived at the place of sacrifice. He appeared as a brāhmaṇa youth, with matted hair, reciting the Vedas, his body adorned with sacred ashes. Approaching King Bali, he humbly requested three steps of land, measured by his own feet. After ritually purifying himself, Bali took up a golden ladle and poured out pure, cool water, preparing to fulfill the request of the one who had sought his refuge. In that world, the perfected beings looked on. Vāmana, having accomplished his purpose, attained the divine abodes once more. Meanwhile, the sacred river, established in the heavens, was named Gaṅgā by Brahmā himself. Wherever he was seen, the gods praised him, bowing to him with deep devotion in their hearts. They acknowledged, “The three worlds exist because of you.” To Trivikrama, whose stride knows no measure, they offered their reverence. With his vast steps, he traversed the cosmos, even reaching down to the very root of the underworld. At the end of the world-age, all would again return to him. Thus, Viṣṇu, the great-striding one, gave the three worlds to Purandara, another name for Indra. Then, in the presence of Brahmā, Shakra (Indra), the Blessed One, Rudra, the Adityas, and the hosts of Maruts, Viṣṇu vanished from their sight. Prahlada, the foremost among the Asuras and ever devoted to Viṣṇu, was at that time instructed by the Lord in the sacred method of worship. Establishing the path of devotion and the discipline of right action, that supreme person always performed the deeds required by the gods. In the next age, Bana, a mighty and radiant chief, became the leader of the Asuras. Having subdued the three worlds, Bana began to harass Vasava, the lord of the gods. The gods cried out, “Bana, the great Asura, is oppressing us!” Viṣṇu responded. With a single effortless arrow, he burned Bana’s city to ashes. Bana, seeking refuge, fled to Iśāna, the lord of herds, whose form glowed blue and red. Emerging from his ruined city, Bana offered praise to the Supreme Lord. With devotion, Viṣṇu prepared another arrow, this time invoking the mantra of Ganesha. Among the Asuras, Svarbhanu and Vrishaparvan were counted as the foremost. In the celestial realms, too, there were many mighty beings, some with countless heads, each bearing their own power and glory. Thus, the story of the Lord’s deeds and the unfolding of cosmic order continued, ever guided by his divine will.