He is the one who stands unheld and self-supported, his ancient form ever attainable yet beyond grasp, renowned throughout the worlds and marked by the boar’s tusk. He is as swift as the wind, mighty in strength, and the sole leader of all. He illuminates the Vedas, possesses their essence, and is the single true friend. Bearing countless forms, he is beloved of fortune, the very origin of Shiva, peaceful, auspicious, and upright in all ways. He dwells within the earth, creates prosperity, and is prosperity itself—an ornament to the worlds, the bearer of all beings, yet bodiless, established within the hearts of his devotees. He is the knower of time, and his very form is the art of creation. A great renouncer, unwavering in truth and vows, he is devoted to steadfastness and peace, always acting for the benefit of others, bestowing boons, unique among all, and an ocean of Vedic wisdom. Never weary, he discerns the qualities of all things, bearing auspicious marks yet removing all blemishes. Fierce by nature, impartial, he is the destroyer of enemies and the annihilator of obstacles. Crested and armored, wielding spear and sword, fierce and adorned with skulls, ringed and girdled, he is the master of illusion and the charioteer of worldly existence. Deathless and all-seeing, lion-like and radiant, he is a repository of brilliance, a great jewel among beings, innumerable and immeasurable in essence, powerful and expert in action. He is knowable, the knower and protector of Vedic meaning, universal in conduct, lord of sages, unsurpassed and unassailable, gentle and pleasing in appearance. He is the lord of gods, the refuge of all, the embodiment of sound-brahman, goal of the virtuous, devourer of time, creator of blemishes, with Vasuki as his bracelet. A great archer, sustainer of the earth, stainless and unrestrained, radiant as a jewel, sun-like, fortunate, bestower of siddhi, and the very means to accomplishment. Withdrawn and concealed, skillful and broad-chested, mighty-armed, the single light free from obstacles, sometimes taking human form, beloved of Narayana. Untainted, his essence is beyond the world, undisturbed, destroyer of agitation, worthy of praise and fond of hymns, the praiser, the very form of Vyasa, untroubled. He is the means to flawless attainment, a treasury of knowledge, unwavering in valor, tranquil-minded, never petty but the destroyer of pettiness, eternally beautiful. Foremost in courage, lord of the earth, master of divisions, lord of night, supreme teacher of truth, vision, and guru, affectionate to those who seek refuge. He is essence itself, the knower of essence, omniscient, the support of all beings. Thus, with a thousand names, he—the bull-bannered one—was praised. Then, the mighty one performed his worship. He bathed the lord and offered lotuses, testing Hari’s devotion by presenting the lotuses in worship to Maheshvara. But the lord of the world, Maheshvara, concealed one lotus. Deprived of a flower, Hari wondered at this sudden lack. Understanding what had happened, Hari, the supporter of all beings, plucked out his own eye and, with devotion and the utterance of that sacred name, offered it in place of the missing lotus. Witnessing this act, the mighty Hara swiftly descended from the circle of fire. He appeared, resplendent as millions of suns, adorned with matted hair and a crown, enveloped in a garland of flames, divine, sharp-fanged, and awe-inspiring. Bearing spear, club, mace, discus, lance, and noose, Hara stood with hands granting boons and fearlessness, clad in a tiger skin. Seeing Bhava thus, adorned with ashes, Janardana was filled with delight and immediately bowed to the god of gods. The gods, along with Indra, circled the three-eyed one but then fled in awe; the world of Brahma trembled, and the earth itself quaked. The radiance of Shambhu blazed for a hundred yojanas in every direction—above, below, and all around—until cries of “Alas!” arose on earth. Then Mahadeva, Shankara, as if smiling, gazed affectionately upon Vishnu, who stood before him with joined palms, and spoke: “Now I understand this divine purpose, O Janardana. I grant you the splendid discus called Sudarshana.” He continued, “The form you have seen, which terrifies all the worlds, has appeared for your benefit, O steadfast one, and for the sake of your own being. Peace in battle, O Vishnu, brings suffering to the gods; for the peaceful, a weapon is peaceful—what fruit is there in a peaceful weapon? For the peaceful in battle, their weapon is indeed peace; for ascetics, peace is strength. By peace, the warrior cuts the strength of the foe and increases his own.” “When the gods are not at peace, my imperishable form is to be contemplated. O slayer of the gods’ enemies, what use is a weapon for fighting? Forgiveness is not to be practiced in battle, O slayer of the gods’ enemies, whether in the future, the past, in weakness, or when surrounded by your own people. But when the time is not right, or in unrighteousness or calamity, O slayer of foes…” So saying, he gave the discus, shining like ten thousand suns. He also bestowed an eye—the leader of the worlds, resembling a lotus—and from that time, Vishnu was called “Lotus-eyed.” Having given him the eye and the discus, Nīlalohita touched Vishnu with his beautiful hands and spoke: “I am the bestower of boons. Choose the highest boons you desire. By your devotion, O best of men, I am truly won over by you.” Thus addressed by the god of gods, Vishnu bowed and said, “May I have devotion to you, O Mahadeva; grant me the supreme boon. I desire nothing else; for your devotees, O Lord, there is no distress.” Hearing these words, Mahadeva was filled with compassion. He touched Vishnu and bestowed faith upon him, he who is adorned with the cool-rayed moon. Mahadeva then spoke to Acyuta, the supreme self: “By my grace, you shall be devoted to me, worshipped and honored by gods and demons alike, O best of the gods—there is no doubt.” And then Mahadeva foretold: “When Sati, the daughter of Daksha, with beautiful eyes, reproaches her mother and father, Daksha, she will become the queen of the gods.