In their distress, the gods sought refuge in the Supreme Lord, Narayana—the flawless one, free from imperfection. With reverence, they praised him, the Lord of gods, whose navel is like a lotus and who is the teacher of the entire world. "O Lord," they implored, "protect us who have come to you for shelter, frightened by the fierce austerities of sage Mrikandu." They extolled his greatness: "Victory to you, who are the very form of the world! Victory to you, the cause of the cosmic egg from which all creation springs! Salutations to you, Lord of the worlds, the witness of all that exists! Salutations to you, whose form is meditation itself and who are also the fruit of meditation! Salutations to you, who are the origin of earth, whose very being is pure consciousness! Salutations to you, who are formless, whose true nature is your own, and who yet display countless forms!" With devotion they continued, "Repeated salutations to Krishna, to Govinda, for the welfare of all beings! Salutations to the one who appears as the Sun and in many other forms, who graciously accepts offerings and ancestral rites! Salutations again and again to you, who destroy the suffering of those who remember you!" Moved by their prayers, the Lord appeared before them, bearing his conch, discus, and mace. He shone forth, adorned with all auspicious ornaments, his chest marked with the radiant Śrīvatsa. The best of sages sang his praises, and he was surrounded by the foremost of his attendants. Filled with joy and reverence, the gods offered salutations, bowing in eightfold prostration. Pleased by their devotion, Narayana addressed the gods, who stood with heads bowed, Indra at their head. He reassured them, "That sage, foremost among the virtuous, does not trouble you, O gods. In every way, the best among you do not trouble another—not even in dreams. How can a wise person, without first ensuring his own protection, bear enmity toward another? How could one who is truly noble wish to play with or harm another?" He continued, "One who is always engaged in desires and similar distractions is known as having a deluded mind. But the noble ones are called unattached by the virtuous. So, return to your abodes in peace; Mrikandu will not trouble you." Thus, shining like a jasmine blossom, the Lord granted them a boon. Satisfied, the hosts of gods returned to heaven as they had come, their hearts at peace. The formless, supreme Brahman—self-luminous and stainless—remained. When sage Mrikandu saw the Lord bearing his divine weapons, he was filled with astonishment. He beheld the Creator, serene, with a gracious countenance, radiant with the splendor of the universe. Overcome with devotion, Mrikandu bowed down flat upon the ground before the eternal Lord of gods. Placing his hands upon his head, he began to offer praise: "Homage to the One beyond all duality, the supreme imitator, the highest among the supreme, the ultimate deliverer! Though possessing many forms, you remain untouched; I worship that supreme Lord, worthy of all praise. I worship the incomparable one, the source of devotion, compassionate to his devotees, Lord of all, the original object of worship. Freed from delusion, I bow to you, supremely pure one, remover of worldly existence. You are served by the world, the abode of the universe, the supreme Lord, the ocean of compassion." The Lord, bearer of conch, discus, and mace, was deeply satisfied by Mrikandu’s devotion. With utmost affection, he spoke: "Choose a boon, O steadfast one. Ask for whatever your heart desires. Your vision is rare, even for those who are unworthy, and is cherished. Even those who are righteous, initiated, and free from passion and envy—" Thus, the Lord offered his grace to the devoted sage, his words filled with loving-kindness.