In that wondrous place, a lake shimmered, adorned with an array of jeweled flowers and resplendent ornaments. The lotuses upon its surface had petals fashioned from padmaraga gems, their beauty further enhanced by clusters of diamond filaments that glistened in the light. These blossoms exuded a gentle fragrance, accompanied by leaves of emerald and sapphire, creating a spectacle fit for the gaze of kings. At the heart of each lotus, golden centers gleamed, though the lake’s bed itself was not merely filled with diamonds. Instead, it was covered with a dazzling variety of gems. This lake was home to many aquatic creatures—cowries, oysters, and conches dwelled there, while crocodiles, fish, and fierce turtles moved through the water alongside fragments of emerald and thousands upon thousands of diamonds. Gems of every kind sparkled beneath the surface: padmaraga, indranila, great sapphires, all manner of spinel gems, and the rare karkoṭaka stones. There were also pieces of copper, portions of shesha, the chief rājāvarta, and gems famed for their beautiful eyes. Sun and moon gems were present, as well as one with the deepest blue hue, and fragments of the radiant, delightful syamantaka gem. Gems belonging to the gods and serpents mingled with crystal, garnet, yellow sapphire, and the dust of emerald. Sapphires, sugandhika, royal gems, the chief diamond, and the sacred brahma gem were all found scattered throughout. Pearls adorned those who bore the forms of stars, their luster adding to the lake’s enchantment. The water itself was pleasantly warm, dispelling any chill of bathing, and the lake, set within a stone of vaidurya, was breathtakingly beautiful. The lake measured two hundred bows in length, perfectly square, delightful in every way, and had come into being through the austerities of the three great beings. Upon the charming island in its midst, there was a region resembling the entrance to a golden cave, resplendent and wholly fashioned from gold. Nearby, a lovely lotus-pond rested atop a stone terrace, its pure, cool water perfect for drinking, and adorned with aquatic flowers. This pond, square and enchanting like the sky itself, held water that was sweet, light, cool, and fragrant. It neither parched the throat nor filled the belly, yet it brought supreme satisfaction and great comfort to the body. In the center of this pond stood a magnificent palace, also the fruit of the three’s austerities. Its entrance was graced by a golden bridge, splendid and adorned with every kind of jewel. The palace shone with the radiance of the moon, crafted from silver, with delightful stairs of vaidurya and railings of pure coral. Great pillars of sapphire upheld the structure, while emerald platforms and a network of diamond rays sparkled, making the palace a vision of beauty and joy. Within this palace, the Blessed Lord himself, Janardana—the God of gods—reclined upon the coiled serpent king, Shesha, adorned with every ornament. One knee was bent, and the foot of the Lord, wielder of the discus, rested upon the hood of the serpent king, as did the other foot. One foot also lay upon the lap of Lakshmi, who soothed Shesha’s coils, while the Lord’s arm, adorned with armlets, was draped upon the serpent king’s coils. One of his arms was placed behind his head, the other extended gracefully. His bent knee gleamed with a jeweled bracelet, and another arm, slightly bent, rested near his navel. Of his four arms, one held a garland of parijata flowers, which followed the line of his nose. Lakshmi, with hands as soft as lotus petals, massaged his foot. The Lord was adorned with a garland, a crown, a necklace, armlets, bracelets, and rings, his radiant head resting upon the jeweled hood of the serpent king. This sacred place, whose true nature was known only to the wise, had been established by the sage Atri. It was always honored by accomplished sages and adorned with garlands of lineage flowers. The Lord’s body was anointed with divine fragrances, perfumed with celestial incense, and always offered the finest fruits by perfected beings. He shone resplendently, crowned with a lotus-shaped diadem, his form radiant on all sides. The king, beholding him directly, bowed low in reverence. Approaching as prescribed, with knees and head touching the ground, he praised Madhusudana with a thousand names. Rising again and again, he circumambulated the beautiful sanctuary, then returned to dwell in the hermitage nearby. After leaving the cave, the king sought refuge in another charming grotto, where he performed austerities and worshipped Madhusudana. He offered various flowers, fruits, roots, and milk, bathed thrice daily, and was devoted to the worship of the sacred fire. Using water from the divine ponds, he practiced constant breath control, renouncing all food. He slept in an unprepared cave, subsisting only on water, and though he had abandoned all food rituals, his body did not grow weary—a wonder to behold. Absorbed in these austerities and always worshipping the supreme god, the king dwelled in that hermitage for some time, experiencing no sorrow, as if he were in heaven itself. In this delightful hermitage, having given up food and possessions, he watched the Gandharvas play and sport together with the Apsaras. Gathering many flowers and weaving garlands, he offered the foremost to the god, and then gave them to the Gandharvas, continuing his devotions in joy and reverence.