O virtuous one, know that from the highest to the most particular distinctions in all creation, the Supreme Lord is the very father of Viṣṇu, Brahmā, and the ancient sages. He is also the father of Indra and all the gods, the one who increases nourishment in the universe. That immortal God, Rudra, is attained by action and by austerity. Through study, through yoga, and through deep meditation, we worship Him. By the truth of this worship, one may be freed from the noose of death, for by the will of Bhava, liberation is granted. Just as a cucumber separates from its stalk, so too does He grant both bondage and release. The mantra for revival from death was obtained by me from Śaṅkara Himself. By reciting, by offering, and by consecrating in this manner, and by drinking the sanctified water day and night while meditating before the linga, there is no fear of death, O twice-born one. Hearing these words, the sage undertook great austerity and worshipped Śaṅkara, thereby obtaining a body that was firm as diamond, invulnerable, and free from subjugation. Thus, by worshipping the Lord of the gods, the eminent sage Dadhīci attained a diamond-like firmness and invulnerability that surpassed all others. When the king attacked, Dadhīci struck him at the base of his head, and Kṣupa retaliated by hurling the thunderbolt at Dadhīci’s chest. But the thunderbolt, mighty as it was, could not harm the great-souled Dadhīci, for his body, bound by the power of the Supreme Lord, was as unbreakable as diamond. Witnessing Dadhīci’s invulnerability and freedom from subjugation, Kṣupa then turned his devotion to Hari Mukunda, the lotus-eyed Lord, Indra’s younger brother. By his worship, the blessed Puruṣottama, accompanied by Śrī and Bhūmi, appeared, satisfied and resplendent, bearing conch, discus, and mace. The Lord stood crowned, holding a lotus, adorned in all ornaments, clothed in yellow garments, and surrounded by gods and demons alike. Garuḍa-bannered Viṣṇu granted Kṣupa a divine vision, and beholding Janārdana in that celestial form, Kṣupa bowed low and offered his praises: “You are the beginning and the endless, the origin, O Janārdana. You are the person, the Lord of the world, Viṣṇu, ruler of all; you are Brahmā, the universal form, the grandsire. You alone are the primal truth, the supreme light, supreme soul, supreme abode, Lord of Śrī, Lord of the earth, master of all. From your wrath arises Rudra, enveloped in darkness; by your grace, Brahmā, the creator, arises with passion. By your grace, Viṣṇu Himself, pure and supreme, is Puruṣottama—O Hari, Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, the form of the universe and embodiment of time. The great elements, the subtle elements, and the senses—all are established by you, O universal form, O great Lord. O great God, Lord of the world, grandsire, teacher of all, be gracious! I have come to you for refuge, O Vaikuṇṭha, O Śauri, all-knowing Vasudeva, mighty-armed. O Saṅkarṣaṇa, O Pradyumna, O Puruṣottama, O Aniruddha, O great Viṣṇu, I bow to you always. Your divine seat is unmanifest, and in the middle stands the all-pervading one, joined with a thousand hoods, the embodiment of darkness, bearer of the earth. Below, O Lord of gods, are dharma, knowledge, and dispassion; the seat’s feet are your sovereignty. The seven netherworlds are your feet, the earth your hips, the seven oceans your garments, and the directions your mighty arms. The sky is your head, space your navel, the wind your breath, the moon and sun your eyes, and your hair the blue lotus and other flowers. The stars, planets, and the sky itself are your ornaments. How can I praise you, O Lord of gods, the supreme person, who is worthy of all worship? Whatever divine act has been done with faith, whatever has been heard or recited, if anything is amiss, O Lord, forgive that, O Nārāyaṇa—salutations to you. This hymn to Viṣṇu destroys all sins; whoever recites or hears it, even if only briefly, or causes the twice-born to hear it with devotion, attains the world of Viṣṇu.” Having thus worshipped and praised the unconquered Lord, ruler of gods and others, they humbly informed Janārdana, bowing with devotion and heads lowered. “O Lord, there was a brāhmaṇa named Dadhīca, renowned, a knower of dharma, self-controlled, and formerly my friend. He was always invulnerable to all, devoted to the worship of Śaṅkara. Yet, with disrespect, he struck me on the head with his left foot in the assembly. O Lord of gods, O Viṣṇu, Lord of the universe, he struck me and, intoxicated with pride, declared everywhere, ‘I do not fear.’ O Lord of the world, I wish to defeat that brāhmaṇa Dadhīca; you should act as is proper, O Janārdana.” Knowing the invulnerability of the great-souled Dadhīca, Hari remembered the unequalled power of Maheśa. Then Hari said, “O king, there is no fear for brāhmaṇas, born of Brahmā’s hunger, from Maheśvara. Especially for devotees of Rudra, there is always fearlessness, even for the lowliest everywhere—what then of Dadhīca? Therefore, O highly fortunate one, you will not have victory. I will cause the brāhmaṇa pain for the sake of a curse, along with the gods. By his curse, O king, there will be destruction for me and the gods at Dakṣa’s sacrifice, and then a rising again.