Mahadeva spoke to Parvati, recounting the events that followed the slaying of Vṛtra. As the great souls had decreed, the trees, herbs, and grasses, after paying their respects to Brahmā, departed as they had come. Then, Brahmā, the grandsire and lord of all worlds, summoned the celestial Apsarases. With gentle, consoling words, he addressed these noble beings, saying, “O beautiful ones, this sin of Brahmin-killing, which has arisen from Vṛtra, I have apportioned a fourth part to you. Accept it now.” The Apsarases replied with humility, “O lord of gods, we accept your command. Yet, please consider when and how we will be freed from this burden.” Brahmā reassured them, “Whenever a man unites with a woman during her menstrual period, the Apsarases will depart from him, and thus your minds may find peace.” Accepting this, the delighted Apsarases returned to their abodes and joyfully spent time with the daughter of the mountain. Next, Brahmā turned his thoughts to the waters. At his summons, all the rivers and waters gathered, bowing before him. The goddess of immeasurable energy, representing the waters, spoke: “O destroyer of enemies, we have come at your command. Please instruct us, O lord of gods.” Brahmā replied, “This dreadful sin of Brahmin-killing, born from Vṛtra, now afflicts Indra. You must accept a fourth part of it.” The waters agreed, “So be it, O lord. But please consider how we might be freed from this sin. For you, O Indra, are the supreme refuge of all worlds. Who else can deliver us from hardship?” Brahmā declared, “If a man, lacking discernment, discharges phlegm, urine, or feces into you, he will remain there for a time, and then you will be liberated from the sin. This is the truth.” Thus, by the command of the gods, Indra was freed from the burden of Brahmin-killing and became exceedingly joyful. In ancient times, after being afflicted by this sin, Indra performed severe austerities at a holy place and, purified in soul, ascended to heaven. By performing the horse sacrifice at that sacred site—the Vārtraghnī—he was completely freed from sin. With this, the chapter on the glory of Vārtraghnī concluded. Mahadeva then continued: Afterward, the divine river Vārtraghnī, at the confluence, entered the abode of Varuṇa, the ocean, accompanied by Bhadrā. The ocean, drawn by affection, approached Vārtraghnī and, with loving attachment, united with her. Bhadrā, also known as Subhadrā, who was Vārtraghnī’s companion, took the path as an assistant, manifesting the very form of Śrī herself. The union of these two rivers is considered auspicious and is located on the northern shore of the ocean. At this holy place, anyone who bathes and offers pure water, and bows to Varaha, attains the abode of Varuṇa. By this path, the blessed Vishnu himself entered the ocean. Having vanquished all the Dānavas and the obstacles of the gods, the god Yajna-Varaha stirred the abode of the Makara, played there for a long time, and then emerged from the mire. Parvati, hearing this, asked Mahadeva, “O lord, tell me in detail about Yajna-Varaha’s entry into the clouded region and his emergence from the mire.” Mahadeva replied, “Long ago, Varaha Hari, assuming the form of a boar, entered the earth for the sake of the gods. Lifting up the goddess Earth, he emerged from the mire, and at that spot arose the great sacred place called Varaha. Whoever bathes there will surely attain liberation. There, one should perform śrāddha for the ancestors, ensuring their release and gaining entry to a blissful world together with them.” With this, the chapter on Varaha-tirtha concluded. Mahadeva then said, “Listen, O goddess, I will tell you of a vow so rare that even in the three worlds it is scarcely known. By merely hearing of it, people are freed from the sin of killing a Brahmin and other grave offenses. This self-luminous being manifested for the happiness of devotees, arising as a bringer of merit, whether as a lunar day or a month. By uttering his name, one attains eternal liberation; he is the supreme self and the cause of all causes. He is the soul of the universe, of universal form, the blessed Lord of all, by whom the twelve suns are sustained; the great-souled Narasimha, who appeared openly for the peace of his devotees.” Parvati then asked, “O best of the gods, you have described countless incarnations. Tell me about the supreme abode called Narasimha, by knowing which one attains happiness simply through understanding.” Mahadeva replied, “After slaying Hiranyakashipu, the god of gods, the teacher of the world, sat joyfully with Prahlada on his lap and spoke to him. Prahlada, best among the wise and foremost in devotion, addressed Narasimha, saying, ‘O blessed Vishnu, Narasimha, wondrous in form, I bow to you. I am your devotee and ask you truly: My devotion to you has arisen in many ways—tell me, O master, how I have become dear to you, and what is the reason?’ Narasimha replied, ‘O greatly wise one, listen with a focused mind as I tell you the cause of devotion and the reason you are dear to me, my child.