With deep reverence, Kṣupa approached the Lord of the universe, seeking refuge in Him. He addressed Viṣṇu with many names—Vaikuṇṭha, Śauri, all-knowing, Vāsudeva, mighty-armed—and implored Him to be gracious. Turning his devotion to the fourfold form of the Lord, he bowed to Saṅkarṣaṇa, the greatly fortunate, to Pradyumna, Purushottama, and Aniruddha, extolling Viṣṇu as the ever-present, supreme Lord. Kṣupa described Viṣṇu’s divine seat as unmanifest, with the all-pervading one at its center—joined with a thousand hoods, embodying darkness, and bearing the weight of the earth. Below this seat, he saw dharma, knowledge, and dispassion as its foundation, while the seat’s feet were the Lord’s sovereignty. He praised the cosmic form of Viṣṇu: the seven netherworlds as His feet, the earth as His hips, the seven oceans as His garments, and the directions as His mighty arms. The sky was His head, space His navel, the wind His breath, the sun and moon His eyes, and His hair was adorned with blue lotuses and other flowers. The stars, planets, and the sky itself became His ornaments. Overwhelmed, Kṣupa wondered how he could possibly praise such a Lord, the Supreme Person, worthy of all worship. He then prayed that any divine act performed with faith—whether heard, recited, or done—if imperfect in any way, might be forgiven by Nārāyaṇa. He saluted the Lord, declaring that the hymn to Viṣṇu destroys all sins, and that whoever recites or hears it, 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 all beings, Kṣupa and his companions humbly informed Janārdana of their purpose, bowing with devotion and heads lowered. Kṣupa spoke: "O Lord, there was a brāhmaṇa named Dadhīca, renowned, a knower of dharma, self-controlled, and formerly my friend. He was ever invulnerable, devoted to the worship of Śaṅkara. Yet, in the assembly, he struck me on the head with his left foot, showing disrespect. Intoxicated with pride, he declared everywhere, 'I do not fear.' Lord of the world, I wish to defeat Dadhīca. Please act as is proper, O Janārdana." Hari, knowing the great invulnerability of Dadhīca, recalled the unequalled power of Maheśa. He spoke: "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 lowly 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, there will be destruction for me and the gods at Dakṣa’s sacrifice, and then a rising again. Yet, having approached you, O best of Brahmins, I shall make every effort for your victory over Dadhīca." Hearing these words, Kṣupa replied, "So be it." The Lord then went to the hermitage of the sage Dadhīca. Assuming the form of a brāhmaṇa, the Lord who is ever devoted to His devotees approached 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; you should grant it to me." Dadhīca replied, "I know all that you desire; I do not fear even you. You have come in the form of a brāhmaṇa, O Janārdana; you are the past, future, and present. By the grace of Rudra, I know your purpose. Abandon this guise of a brāhmaṇa, O steadfast one. You have been worshipped by Kṣupa, O slayer of Madhu. I know your affection for devotees, O Hari; such devotion is fitting for you. If there is any fear in me, who am intent on worship of the Lord, you should tell me earnestly, O lotus-eyed giver of boons. Truly, I do not fear anyone in this world, whether god, demon, or brāhmaṇa." Hearing these words, Janārdana abandoned His brāhmaṇa guise in an instant. Smiling, He spoke in His own form: "O Dadhīca, there is truly no fear for you anywhere, for you are intent on worship of the Lord and are all-knowing. You should say just once, 'I am afraid'—salutations to you! By my command, say this to Kṣupa in the assembly." Yet, even after hearing these conciliatory words, the great sage Dadhīca replied, "I do not fear." By the power of Śambhu, the god of gods, the wielder of Pināka, Śarva, Śaṅkara, the all-knowing one, the great sage stood firm. Then, hearing the words of that sage, Hari became angry and, raising His discus, prepared to burn the best of sages. But the Sudarśana discus of Viṣṇu became blunt at the tip, due to the power of Dadhīca, even in the presence of Kṣupa. Seeing His discus blunt, Viṣṇu was addressed by Dadhīca, who smiled, he who is the very cause of the manifest and unmanifest: "O Lord, the discus known as Sudarśana, which you obtained long ago with great effort, is renowned as your weapon. This auspicious discus of Bhava does not wish to harm me here; therefore, you should strive with Brahmā’s weapons and others.