Moved by his worship, the blessed Purushottama—the Supreme Person—became pleased and appeared before the devotee, accompanied by Shri, the goddess of fortune, and Bhumi, the earth goddess. He manifested in all his splendor, bearing the conch, discus, and mace, radiant with divine energy. The Lord stood crowned, holding a lotus in his hand, adorned with magnificent ornaments, and draped in yellow garments. Around him gathered a host of gods and demons, all bearing witness to his glorious form. Garuda, his mighty banner, signaled his presence. Through a divine vision, Janardana, the Lord, revealed himself, and the devotee beheld his wondrous appearance. Overwhelmed, the devotee bowed deeply and offered heartfelt praises to the Garuda-bannered Lord: “You are the beginning and the endless; you are the origin, O Janardana. You are the supreme person, the Lord of the world, Vishnu, ruler of all. You are Brahma, the universal grandsire, the cosmic form. You alone are the primal truth, the supreme light, the supreme soul, the ultimate abode, O Lord of Shri and Lord of the earth. “From your wrath arises Rudra, enveloped in darkness; by your grace, Brahma, the creator of the world, comes forth with passion. By your grace, you yourself, as Vishnu, embody purity and are known as Purushottama—Hari, Vishnu, Narayana, the form of the universe and embodiment of time. “All the great elements, the subtle principles, and the senses are established by you, O universal form, O great Lord. O supreme god, Lord of the world, grandsire, teacher of all, be gracious to me, O Lord of gods, O supreme Lord. I have come to you for refuge, O Vaikuntha, O Shauri, all-knowing Vasudeva, mighty-armed one. “O Sankarshana, greatly fortunate, O Pradyumna, O Purushottama, O Aniruddha, O great Vishnu, ever-present Vishnu, I bow to you. Your divine seat is unmanifest, and in its center stands the all-pervading one, joined with a thousand hoods, the embodiment of darkness, bearer of the earth. “Below, O Lord of gods, rest dharma, knowledge, and dispassion; the seat’s feet are your sovereignty. The seven netherworlds form your feet, the earth your hips, the seven oceans your garments, and the directions your mighty arms. The sky is your head, your navel is space, the wind your breath, the moon and sun your eyes, and your hair is the blue lotus and other flowers. The stars, planets, and sky itself are your neck ornaments. How can I, a mere mortal, praise you, the Lord of gods, the supreme person, so worthy of worship? “Whatever divine act I have performed with faith, whatever I have heard or recited—if there is any fault, O Lord, forgive me, O Narayana. Salutations to you. “This hymn to Vishnu destroys all sins; whoever recites or hears it, even briefly, or causes the twice-born to hear it with devotion, attains the world of Vishnu.” Having worshipped and praised the unconquered Lord, ruler of gods and all beings, they humbly informed Janardana, bowing low with devotion: “O Lord, there was a certain Brahmin named Dadhīca, renowned for his knowledge of dharma and self-control, who was once my friend. He was always invulnerable, ever devoted to the worship of Shankara. Yet, with disrespect, he struck me on the head with his left foot in the assembly. “O Lord of gods, O Vishnu, Lord of the universe, he struck me and, intoxicated with pride, proclaimed everywhere, ‘I do not fear.’ O Lord of the world, I wish to defeat that Brahmin Dadhīca; please act as is proper, O Janardana.” Knowing the invulnerability of the great-souled Dadhīca, Hari remembered the matchless power of Mahesha. Then Hari spoke: “O king, there is no fear for Brahmins, born of Brahma’s hunger, from Maheshvara. Especially for devotees of Rudra, there is always fearlessness, even among the lowly—what to say of Dadhīca? Therefore, O highly fortunate one, you will not have victory. But for the sake of a curse, I will cause the Brahmin pain, along with the gods. By his curse, O king, there will be destruction for me and the gods at Daksha’s sacrifice, and then a new arising. “Therefore, I shall make every effort, O best of Brahmins, for your victory over Dadhīca.” Hearing these words, Kshupa said to Janardana, “So be it.” Then the Lord went to the hermitage of the Brahmin Dadhīca. Assuming the form of a Brahmin, the Lord—ever devoted to his devotees—approached the sage Dadhīca, offered obeisance, and spoke as the teacher of the world: “O Dadhīca, great sage among Brahmins, ever intent on worship of the Lord, I ask you for one boon; please grant it to me.” Thus addressed by the Lord of gods, Dadhīca replied to Vishnu: “I know what you desire; I do not fear even you. You have come in the form of a Brahmin, O Janardana; O Lord of gods, you are the past, present, and future. By Rudra’s grace, I know you—abandon this guise, O steadfast one. You have been worshipped by Kshupa, O slayer of Madhu. “I know, O Lord, your affection for devotees; this devotion to your devotees is fitting for you, O Hari. If there is any fear in me, who am intent on worship of the Lord, please tell me honestly, O lotus-eyed giver of boons. But I speak truly—I do not fear, O Janardana. I do not fear anyone in this world, whether god, demon, or Brahmin.