From the noble Surasā, the foremost of herbs emerged, bestowing healing and vitality upon the world. From Dharma, the embodiment of righteousness, arose both Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, and Kāma, the god of desire. From the Sādhyā, the Sādhyas themselves were born—divine beings honored by all. Among these Sādhyas were Bhava, Prabhava, Īśa the destroyer of Asuras, Aruṇa, Āruṇi, Viśvāvasu, Bala, and the steadfast Dhruva. Alongside them came Haviṣya, Vitāna, Vidhāna, Śamita, Vatsara, Bhūti, and another destroyer of Asuras. Suparvāṇa and Bṛhatkānti joined their ranks, and the Sādhyas, honored by the worlds, flourished. The goddess, following Vāsava’s lead, gave birth to the gods themselves. Of these gods, Vara was the first, the imperishable Dhruva the second, Viśvāvasu the third, and Soma, the lord of the moon, the fourth. In accordance with her power, Yama, the lord of death, was born next; Vāyu, the wind-god, was the seventh, followed by Nirṛti and the Vasus. These illustrious offspring of Dharma were born from Sudevī, and from Viśvā and Dharma, the Viśvedevas arose, as tradition declares. Dakṣa, strong of arm, Puṣkarasvana, Manu of the Cākṣuṣa epoch, Madhu, and the great serpent joined this divine assembly. Viśrāntaka, youthful and serene, Viṣkambha of great renown, and Garuḍa, mighty and radiant as the sun, were also born. The Mother of the Viśvedevas gave birth to the Viśvedevas; Marutvatī brought forth the sons of Marutvat, the gods of the storm. Among them shone Agni, the eye, the sun, the light, Sāvitra, Mitra, the immortal, the shower of arrows, Sukarṣa, and the mighty-armed. Virāja, speech itself, Viśvāvasu, Mati, Aśvamitra, Citraraśmi, and Niṣadhana, too, were present. Hūyanta, Vāḍava, Cāritra, Mandapannaga, Bṛhanta, Bṛhadrūpa, and Pūtanānuga likewise emerged. Marutvatī, in ancient times, gave birth to the groups of Maruts. Aditi, from her union with Kaśyapa, gave birth to the twelve radiant Ādityas: Indra, Viṣṇu, Bhaga, Tvaṣṭṛ, Varuṇa, Aryaman, Ravi, Pūṣā, Mitra, Dhanada, Dhātṛ, and Parjanya. These twelve Ādityas are foremost among the dwellers of heaven. From Sarasvatī, two excellent sons of Āditya were born, excelling in austerity and virtue, honored even in the heavens. Danu brought forth the mighty Dānavas, while Diti gave birth to the Daityas. Kālā became the mother of the fierce Kālakeya Asuras. Surasā gave birth to sons of immense strength—diseases of short lifespan. Simhikā became the mother of the planets, Muni the progenitor of the Gandharvas, and Tāmrā the mother of the virtuous Apsarases. From Krodhā, all beings and Piśācas arose, as well as the Yakṣa groups and Rākṣasas. Four-footed creatures and fragrant cows came into being, as did the Suparṇas and all birds, born of Vinatā. The goddess Kadrū gave birth to the mountains and serpents, and thus, all the worlds grew and flourished. Then, O king, the great-souled Pauṣkara manifested. This sacred manifestation of Pauṣkara has been declared to you by me, Dvaipāyana. The ancient person, Viṣṇu—Hari, the lord—has been recounted to you in proper sequence, as praised by the highest sages. Whoever listens always with reverence to this foremost Purāṇa at sacred times attains the highest worlds, freed from passion, and enjoys heavenly rewards hereafter. He who pleases Kṛṣṇa by sight, mind, speech, and action finds Kṛṣṇa pleased with him. The king attains sovereignty, the poor gain wealth, those with short lifespans obtain longevity, and those desiring children are blessed with sons. Sacrifices, Vedas, desires, and various austerities are attained; the devotee of Viṣṇu gains manifold merits and wealth. Whatever one seeks may be obtained from the Lord of the world by reciting this Pauṣkaraka of Hari, forsaking all else. O best of kings, there is no misfortune for such a devotee; this manifestation called Pauṣkaraka of the great-souled one has been proclaimed to you, as heard from Vyāsa. Now, O king, listen to the divinity of Viṣṇu, his forms as Hari in the Kṛta Yuga, as Vaikuṇṭha among the gods, and as Kṛṣṇa among men. The Lord’s actions are indeed profound; hear now of what has passed, what is, and what is to come, just as it truly is. He who is unmanifest, yet abides in manifest form—that blessed Lord Nārāyaṇa of infinite essence—is the source and is imperishable. This Nārāyaṇa, becoming Hari, is the eternal one; he is Brahmā, Vāyu, Soma, Dharma, Śakra, and Bṛhaspati. In every age, he is born as the son of Aditi, known as the mighty younger brother of Indra. By the favor of the mighty, Viṣṇu is born for the sake of becoming Aditi’s son, to destroy the enemies of the gods—the Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas. The Lord, whose essence is primordial, first created Brahmā, who then created the progenitors in the previous cycle. There, he created the Manus and the supreme lineages of Brahmā. From those great souls, Brahman, eternal, arose in many forms. Now, listen as I recount the wondrous deeds of Viṣṇu, celebrated among people and praised by all. When the slaying of Vṛtra was accomplished, in that ancient Kṛta Yuga, there arose a great and renowned battle, called Tārakāmaya, known throughout the three worlds. Thus unfolds the sacred story, revealing the divine origins and deeds of the gods, and the eternal glory of Hari, the Lord of all.