Pearls adorned those who bore the form of stars, their radiance enhancing the celestial beauty that graced the realm. In this wondrous place, a lake shimmered within the heart of a luminous vaidurya stone, its waters pleasantly warm, dispelling the usual chill of bathing and inviting all to immerse themselves in comfort and delight. This lake, O King, stretched two hundred bows in length on each side, perfectly square, and was a marvel created through the great austerities of the Three. Upon a charming island in its midst, there appeared a region like the entrance to a golden cave, its brilliance captivating the eye of even the King of Kings. Nearby, a lovely lotus-pond rested upon a stone terrace, its pure, cool waters inviting for drinking. The pond was adorned with aquatic flowers, their fragrance mingling with the fresh air. The pond itself was enchanting, square in shape, and as clear as the sky, its sweet, light, and fragrant waters bringing supreme satisfaction and comfort to the body. Remarkably, the water neither parched the throat nor filled the belly, yet it bestowed profound contentment and ease. At the very center of this magical lake stood a magnificent palace, also born of the Three’s austerities. Its entrance was marked by a splendid golden bridge, glittering with every kind of jewel. The palace shone like the rays of the moon, constructed of gleaming silver, with delightful stairs of vaidurya and railings of pure coral. Great sapphire pillars supported its lofty halls, and platforms of emerald sparkled beneath a network of diamond rays, making the entire structure a vision of beauty and wonder. Within this palace, the Blessed Lord, Janardana—the God of gods—reclined upon the coiled bed of the serpent Shesha, adorned with every ornament. One knee was bent, and the foot of the Lord, the wielder of the discus, rested gently upon the hood of the serpent king, as did his other foot. One foot also lay upon the lap of Lakshmi, who soothed the coils of Shesha, while his arm, adorned with shining armlets, was draped across the serpent’s coils. One arm was placed behind his head in ease, while another was extended gracefully. His bent knee was encircled by a jeweled bracelet, and another arm, slightly bent, rested near his navel. Listen now to the description of his remaining arms: one held a garland of parijata flowers, following the line of his noble nose. Lakshmi, with hands soft as lotus petals, gently massaged his foot. The Lord was adorned with a garland, a radiant crown, a necklace, and armlets, along with bracelets and rings. His beautiful, lustrous head rested upon the jeweled hood of the serpent king. This sacred place, whose true nature was once unknown, 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 and celestial incense, and he was continually offered delightful, excellent fruits by perfected beings. The god, crowned with a lotus-shaped diadem, shone with splendid glory. The king, beholding him directly, bowed in deepest 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 and then remained for a time in the hermitage nearby. Leaving the cave, the king sought refuge in another charming grotto, where he performed austerities and worshipped Madhusudana with devotion. He offered various flowers, fruits, roots, and milk, bathed thrice daily, and devoted himself to fire worship. Drawing water from divine ponds, he practiced constant breath control and renounced all food. Sleeping in an unprepared cave, he abandoned all rituals of eating, subsisting only on water, yet his body did not grow weary—an astonishing wonder. Thus absorbed in austerities and steadfast worship of the Supreme God, the king dwelled in that hermitage for some time, experiencing no sorrow, as if he were in heaven itself. In that delightful hermitage, having given up food and possessions, he watched as the Gandharvas played and sported together with the Apsaras. He gathered many flowers and wove garlands, offering the finest to the god and then sharing them with the Gandharvas. Though he observed the various activities of those absorbed in flower gathering and joyful play, his mind remained detached, not truly seeing them. Among the Apsaras, one, engrossed in gathering flowers, became entwined in a lattice of vines, abandoned by her companions and left behind by her beloved. Another, fragrant with the scent of lotus, her face troubled by bees drawn to her sighs, was rescued by her beloved. One woman had her gaze obscured by honey-laden bees, her eyes covered by the breath of her beloved. A radiant woman, having gathered flowers, gave them to her beloved; adorned with flowers woven by him, she shone with a floral crown. Another, having gathered and woven flowers herself, was crowned by her beloved and felt fulfilled, her passion deepened. In a secluded grove, a certain creeper with exceptional flowers was led away in secret by her eager lover. While searching for flowers among creepers entwined by their beloveds, one woman considered herself superior to all in every virtue. Some saw the king among the lotuses, separately playing with the Gandharvas and the divine, charming women. One woman, her smile bright as the moon, playfully struck her beloved with water; when he returned the gesture, her heart overflowed with joy. Thus, in this sacred and wondrous place, the king’s devotion and the celestial play of divine beings unfolded in harmony, each moment filled with beauty, reverence, and delight.