To him, Viṣṇu—compassionate and gracious—bestowed the highest and truest prosperity. This was given in response to unwavering devotion to righteousness. At that moment, Vairocani beheld a jar brimming with water. But Viṣṇu, who pervades all things, recognized that this jar would hinder the flow of water. At the tip of his sacred darbha grass, a wondrous weapon appeared, shining with the brilliance of ten million suns. He advanced forward, his presence witnessed by Bhargava, the gods, the asuras, and many others, all gazing upon him in awe. Then, Bali offered to the great Viṣṇu the earth itself, to be measured by three steps. Taking on his cosmic form, Hari, who embodies the universe, measured the earth in just two strides. With the tip of his great toe, he split the cosmic egg in two, and the water sanctified by Viṣṇu’s foot became supremely pure, cleansing all the worlds. This most excellent water, now purified, washed over the gods, beginning with Brahma. Attended by true sages, it descended upon the summit of Meru. Overcome with joy, the sages and Manus praised Viṣṇu, offering him their reverence: “Homage to you, whose soul is Brahman, whose mind delights in Brahman, whose actions are unhindered. Homage to you, the soul of all, the very form of the universe, immeasurable and beyond all limits. Homage to you, whose head and movement are everywhere.” Having granted fearlessness, the eternal Lord of the gods rejoiced. He bestowed this boon upon the gatekeeper and, in turn, became subject to the loving devotion of his devotee. Yet, concern arose: “What food shall we prepare in this place, haunted by the dreadful fear of serpents?” For whatever is given to the unworthy becomes a terrible means of enjoyment, and all such offerings, though seemingly fit for pleasure, ultimately lead to a fall into the lower worlds. Having granted safety to all the gods, Viṣṇu restored them to heaven. Praised in song by the Gandharvas, he again assumed his dwarf form. With smiling faces, all bowed to the Supreme Person. Then, veiling the world in illusion, he departed for the forest to perform austerities. By merely remembering her—Ganga, the sacred river—one is freed from all sins. At her temple or upon her riverbank, one attains the merit equal to performing the great Ashvamedha sacrifice. The question then arose: “Brother, tell me, what are the characteristics of a proper recipient for gifts?” For those who seek the endless fruit of giving, gifts should be given only to the worthy. A Kshatriya or a merchant should never accept gifts. If a gift is given to one who abandons his own duty, it bears no fruit. Likewise, a gift to an astrologer, to one unfit to perform sacrifices, or to one who sells righteousness, yields no benefit. A gift to one who harms others, even if he is a servant, is fruitless. A gift to one who eats forbidden food, or food from a funeral offering, is also rendered fruitless. If the recipient is corrupted by wrongful acceptance, or eats immediately after receiving, the gift loses its merit. Thus, the wise are reminded: to give with discernment is to ensure that the act of giving yields true and lasting fruit.