The form that appeared before the gods was wondrous to behold—his body dark as a rain-laden cloud, his hair like the filaments of mist, and his brilliance so profound that he seemed a mountain shrouded in deepest blackness. He was clad in a radiant yellow garment and adorned with ornaments gleaming like molten gold, his form as dark as smoke and shadow, rising up with the fiery energy that marks the end of an age. His mighty shoulders were fourfold in their grandeur, his hair crowned with a regal diadem, and his body shone, embellished with weapons that sparkled like gold. He radiated the combined light of moon and sun, towering like a mountain peak. In his hand, he delighted in the Nandaka sword, and his arrows were as fearsome as venomous serpents. Resplendent with many weapons and immense strength, he held the conch, discus, and mace. He was the mountain of Viṣṇu, the very root of the earth, the tree of fortune itself, bearing the Śārṅga bow as his horn. He granted the wishes of the gods, his branches as lovely as the women of heaven, beloved by all the worlds, enchanting to every being. He was adorned with the peaks of flying palaces, dripping with the nectar of clouds and water, established in the essence of knowledge and ego—the great sprouting forth of the elements. His form was covered with unique leaves, blossoming with planets and stars, the massive trunk for the world of demons, and he illuminated the realm of mortals. He roared like the ocean, his foundation as vast as the underworld, stretched out by the cords of lion-lords and attended by winged beings. He exuded the fragrance of virtue and meaning, the great tree of all worlds, with the endless, unmanifest waters at his base, and the manifest ego rising as its foam. He was a living mass of the great elements, waves bubbling with planets and stars, spread out with flying palaces, and crowded with the tumult of clouds. His form was filled with hosts of creatures and fish, joined by mountains and families of conch-shells, a whirlpool of the three qualities, the great whale that could swallow all the worlds. He was a forest of heroic trees, creepers, and thickets, with seaweed drawn by serpents—the great continent of twelve suns, and the city of the eleven Rudras. He was endowed with the eight Vasus, with mountains, the vast ocean of the three worlds’ waters, mingled with the countless waves of twilight, and served by the wind of Suparṇa. Within him were gathered Daityas, Rākṣasas, Yakṣas, serpents, and mighty aquatic beings, adorned by the finest women, and possessed of the immense power of the Grandfather. Rivers graced him with beauty, fame, radiance, and fortune, surging with the force of time, yogic power, immense tides, dissolution, and creation. He was the boundless ocean of yoga, the great ocean that is Nārāyaṇa himself, the god of gods, the bestower of boons, who cherishes his devotees with deep devotion. He is the god who grants favor, who brings peace and auspiciousness, attended by the chariot of Haryaśva and served beneath the banner of Garuḍa. He was adorned with the planets, moon, and sun, encircled by Mandara, the mighty serpent, joined with endless rays, vast within the cavern of Meru. His form was embellished with starry, wondrous flowers, beautiful with planets and constellations, the giver of fearlessness in danger, dwelling in the sky where the gods, defeated by the Daityas, had taken refuge. There, the gods beheld this divine one, standing within a celestial chariot that encompassed the worlds. All the gods, led by Indra, pressed their palms together in reverence. They raised a cry of victory and sought refuge in him, their protector; and hearing their words, Viṣṇu, the god of gods, responded. Viṣṇu resolved within himself to destroy the Dānavas in the great battle. Standing in the sky, he assumed his supreme form and addressed the gods with a vow: “Go in peace, blessings upon you. Do not fear, O hosts of the Maruts. All the Dānavas have been conquered by me; let the three worlds be yours.” Rejoicing at Viṣṇu’s truthful words, the gods were filled with joy, as if they had tasted the finest nectar. Darkness was dispelled, and the clouds vanished from the sky. Auspicious winds began to blow, the ten directions became tranquil, pure lights shone forth, and the moon moved on its rightward path. The planets ceased their conflicts, the rivers became calm, the pathways were clear, and the three celestial classes were purified. Rivers flowed as they should, the oceans were undisturbed, and pure senses arose within the hearts of men. The great sages, free from sorrow, recited the Vedas aloud; the sacrificial fire received the offerings and became auspicious. The worlds, established in righteousness, rejoiced at heart, having heard Viṣṇu’s promise to destroy their enemies. Yet, upon hearing Viṣṇu’s assurance, the Daityas and Dānavas began to prepare for battle and victory with great determination. For me, there awaited a chariot made of gold, three and a half yojanas in length, imperishable, with four great wheels, vast and splendidly constructed, its yoke mighty. It resounded with the jingling of small bells, adorned with tiger and leopard skins, and shone with networks of gems and golden lattices. Herds of antelopes thronged it, rows of birds graced its sides, and it was equipped with divine quivers of arrows, echoing with the sound of thunderclouds. Its axle was broad and noble, set perfectly in place, resembling the sky itself, and it was filled with maces and iron clubs, like the embodied ocean. Golden armlets and bracelets adorned it, as did golden circular hubs; it was furnished with banners and flags, reminiscent of the sun with Mount Mandara. In certain places, it resembled the lord of elephants, shining with the radiance of a lion, yoked to a thousand bears, and resounding like a thundering cloud. This radiant, celestial, sky-going chariot, capable of shattering enemy chariots, was mounted by the eager warrior, shining like the sun upon Mount Meru. The entire chariot, golden and vast as a mountain, with a broad and far-reaching platform, unconfined, resembled a mass of the deepest collyrium.