Through steadfast vows, rigorous fasting, self-discipline, generous gifts of gold, and offerings to the Brāhmaṇas, the seeker devoted himself wholly to the worship of Mahādeva, the great Lord who dwells within the hearts of yogis. In response to this deep devotion, Mahādeva revealed his own divine form—a form that had arisen from Viṣṇu himself. With palms joined in reverence, the devotee praised the Lord with many hymns, then humbly spoke: “Now, tell me the truth of the matter as it really is.” At that moment, the goddess, smiling gently and recalling Viṣṇu, addressed the beloved brāhmaṇa: “I am the one supreme Māyā, whose very essence is Nārāyaṇa. Through me, I am the supreme Brahman, and that Viṣṇu is the highest Lord. Neither by knowledge nor by the yoga of action am I attained by those who seek me. Only by worshiping the Infinite with knowledge will you attain liberation.” Bowing his head to the goddess, the seeker, with folded hands, spoke again: “O goddess, it can indeed be known; tell me, O supreme Lady.” She replied to the sage, “Nārāyaṇa himself will grant you knowledge.” With that, remembering Viṣṇu—the Supreme beyond the supreme—she vanished from sight. The devotee then worshipped Hṛṣīkeśa, the dispeller of distress for all who bow before him. Suddenly, the great yogi appeared, clad in radiant yellow garments, pervading the entire universe with his presence. Falling to his knees, the seeker praised the one whose banner is Garuḍa: “O Kṛṣṇa, O Viṣṇu, O Hṛṣīkeśa, obeisance to you, the soul of the universe. To you, the cause of creation, preservation, and destruction, O one of infinite power. Obeisance to you, the Puruṣa; obeisance to you, whose form is the universe. Obeisance to you, who are without beginning, middle, or end, and attainable through knowledge. Obeisance to you, who are free from difference and non-difference, whose form is bliss. Salutations again and again to you, whose form is infinite, who are also formless. Homage to you, Supreme Lord, to Brahman, to the Supreme Self. Salutations to Śiva, the pure one; homage to the Supreme Creator. You are the father of all beings; you are the mother, O Supreme Person. You are the support of all, the unmanifest, the infinite, beyond darkness. I seek refuge in your form, that highest abode of Viṣṇu.” Then, with both hands, the Lord, as if smiling, touched the devotee, and by his grace, the seeker understood the supreme reality as it truly is. He addressed the lotus-eyed, yellow-robed, undecaying one, who was resting in deep yogic sleep: “Knowledge, whose sole object is Brahman, grants the attainment of supreme bliss. What should I do, O Lord of Yoga? Tell me, O embodiment of the universe.” The Lord smiled and spoke words that were for the welfare of the entire world: “He is to be worshipped by knowledge and the yoga of devotion, and not otherwise. Knowing also my activity, one seeking liberation should worship the Lord. Contemplate the Self as non-dual, and you will see the Supreme Lord. Another contemplation—Brahmic—should be known as transcending the qualities. If one is unable, one should resort to the original practice; this is the Vedic teaching. Worship the Lord of the universe completely; then you will attain liberation.