She is established throughout the world, pervading all things in both their manifest and unmanifest forms. It is she alone who has become the very cause behind creation, preservation, and destruction. For this reason, the Supreme God is called eternal, for he is the protector beyond all worlds—the Supreme Person. That which is higher than the highest is the imperishable, supreme state. The one who stands beyond, known as Kālapurusha, is meditated upon by yogis as the Supreme of the supreme. He is the ultimate reality, known only through true knowledge, whose very nature is consciousness and bliss. Yet, those lacking wisdom mistake him for merely a body—what a tragic jest of ignorance! He assumes three forms, taking on the roles of creator, preserver, and destroyer. He alone is the blissful Self, and thus, O sage, there is truly none other. The Supreme Lord abides both as the distinct and the non-distinct. Because she is the cause of the universe’s manifestation, the wise call her Prakriti. Thus, threefold are established: Prakriti, Purusha, and Time. That pure, supreme abode is the highest state of Vishnu. He is all-pervading, the originator of all worlds, the support and very essence of all qualities. From him arose Mahat, the great principle, then intellect (buddhi), and from that, the sense of “I” (aham) was born. From the subtle elements, beings came forth for the sake of the world. In due order, each one became the cause of the next. Creatures born in animal wombs—cattle, birds, wild beasts—came first. After them, the lotus-born created the class of human beings. By these sons, the world became filled with gods, demons, and humans. Austerity and truth—upon these, the worlds are established, for truth is their foundation. O best of Brahmins, below that is Mahatala, and beneath it, Rasatala. He created the lords of the worlds in all realms, arranging all modes of existence and activities in their proper order. At the end of the earth stands Lokāloka, and between lie the seven oceans. There are the famed external rivers and people who resemble the Amaras. Realms such as Krauncha, Shaka, and Pushkara are the abodes of the gods, and these lands are enriched with salt, sugarcane juice, wine, clarified butter, curds, milk, and water. The worlds are said to be twice the breadth of the Lokāloka mountain. The land called Bhārata is known as the giver of all fruits of actions. Its rewards are enjoyed according to the order of enjoyment, land, and wealth. But, O best of Brahmins, these fruits are exhausted and enjoyed elsewhere by creatures. Yet, the accumulated great merit is imperishable, pure, and auspicious. When, by such great merit, shall we attain the supreme state? Then we shall reach the Lord of the universe, eternal bliss, and freedom from all affliction. O Nārada, in the three worlds, there is no one equal to Him. Even the greatest, whether pure or impure, are known by the gods. One who partakes of the food remnants of devotees attains the supreme abode of Vishnu. And he who is devoted to nonviolence and similar virtues, who is peaceful, is also worthy of reverence by the best of the gods.