Viṣṇu, the blessed Lord, declared, “All that is to be done, all that has been done, and all that is being done—heaven, the midspace, and earth—are contained within me. I am the supreme abode, beyond the world itself.” Having spoken thus, Viṣṇu addressed the venerable being before him, asking, “Who exactly are you, O revered one, who has come so near? From where have you arrived? Where do you intend to go? What is your refuge? Truly, who are you, the very form of the universe? And what should I do for you?” To these questions, the Grandfather Brahmā replied, but, being deluded by the māyā of Śambhu, he did not recognize Janārdana standing before him. Confused by illusion, Brahmā failed to perceive the great soul of Viṣṇu and replied, “Just as you are, so am I—the original creator, the lord of all creatures.” Hearing these words from Brahmā, the ruler of the worlds, Viṣṇu, the source of the universe, was filled with wonder and gave his consent. Then, out of curiosity, the great yogi Viṣṇu entered Brahmā’s mouth, taking with him the eighteen islands, along with their oceans and mountains. Entering in all his brilliance, Viṣṇu beheld the worlds within Brahmā’s body—filled with the four varṇas and stretching to the very end of Brahmā’s stalk, encompassing the seven eternal worlds. Within Brahmā’s belly, mighty-armed Viṣṇu saw all things and again and again exclaimed in amazement, “Ah, the power of his austerity!” Wandering through various worlds and diverse abodes within Brahmā, Viṣṇu searched for the end, but even after a thousand years, he could not find it. Finally, emerging from Brahmā’s mouth, Nārāyaṇa, the sustainer of the world, whose abode is the king of serpents, spoke to the Grandfather, saying, “O venerable one, you are the origin, the seat, the middle, time, directions, and space. I do not see the end of your belly, O sinless one.” Having spoken thus, Hari addressed Brahmā again, “O blessed one, just so is my belly—eternal. Enter, O best of gods, and see these incomparable worlds.” Hearing these delightful words, Brahmā rejoiced. Then, with unwavering resolve, the Lord of Creation, Brahmā, entered the belly of the glorious Lord Viṣṇu and saw those very worlds existing within his womb. Having wandered throughout the Lord’s body, Brahmā could not perceive the end of Hari. Realizing the course of the Lord of Creation, Viṣṇu closed all the doors and, wishing to act, thought quickly, “I will rest comfortably.” Seeing that all the doors were indeed shut, Brahmā made his form subtle and found a passage through the navel. Following the thread of the lotus, he observed, and from the lotus, the four-faced one emerged, manifesting his own form. Seated upon the lotus, shining with the radiance of the lotus-womb, Brahmā—the self-born, the blessed, the source of the universe, the Lord of Creation—appeared resplendent. Meanwhile, as Viṣṇu and Brahmā each contended with one another, a great conflict arose in the midst of that ocean. Suddenly, from somewhere, the immeasurable Lord, the master of beings, the wielder of the trident, the great god adorned in golden heroic garments, appeared. Ananta, the lord of the serpent-hoods, and Hari moved swiftly, and as they advanced, the ground was pressed and afflicted by their feet. Suddenly, thick drops of water arose swiftly in the sky, and the wind blew both exceedingly hot and extremely cold. Witnessing this great wonder, Brahmā spoke to Viṣṇu, “These drops, both cold and hot, are greatly shaking the lotus. Tell me, what is the cause of this? Or what else do you intend to do?” So spoke the Lord of Creation. Upon hearing this, the Lord, destroyer of the asuras and performer of incomparable deeds, thought, “Is there perhaps some other being dwelling in my navel?” As he spoke affectionately, I—Brahmā—became angry with him. Reflecting in my mind, I replied, “Why, O Lord, is there such confusion today in the lotus? What have I done, O god, that you speak to me with such supreme affection?” “O best of men, for what reason do you speak thus? Tell me truly,” said Viṣṇu, the Lord of the gods, who upholds the course of the worlds. Brahmā, the lord and repository of the Vedas, replied to lotus-eyed Viṣṇu, “It was by your will that I, who had previously entered your belly, did so. Just as you, Lord, saw all the worlds within my belly, so too did I see all the worlds within your belly, entirely. Then, after a thousand years had passed, O sinless one, you, desiring to subdue me out of rivalry, withdrew me. Swiftly, all the doors were closed on every side; then, O greatly fortunate one, I considered with my own power. A passage was found through the navel region, emerging from the lotus stalk; let there not be even the slightest hindrance to your purpose in any way.” “Thus, O Viṣṇu, this is the course of action to be followed for the tasks at hand. Now tell me, what should I do next?” At that time, the immeasurable-souled enemy Hiraṇyakaśipu received from the Grandfather Brahmā a flawless, beloved, and auspicious boon. Having heard these words, free from envy, Hari granted him the boon, for I had not resolved upon such a deed for you. Desiring to instruct you, and as a playful act, I quickly closed all the doors of my own being. You must not misunderstand; you are honored and worthy of worship to me. Forgive everything, O auspicious one, whatever I have done against you. As I am being honored by you, O Lord, descend from the lotus; I am unable to bear you, my radiant and venerable one.