Once, Bhadrā—also known as Subhadrā—who had long been a companion to the goddess, took the form of a river. She became an assistant, manifesting the very presence of Śrī herself. The union of these two, auspicious and radiant, took place on the northern shore of the great ocean. At that holy site, it is said, whoever bathes and offers pure water with devotion receives great merit. Those who bow to Varaha at this sacred place attain the abode of Varuna. It was along this path that the blessed Vishnu himself once entered the ocean. Having conquered all the Danavas, who were obstacles to the gods, the divine Yajna-Varaha—boar incarnation of Vishnu—stirred the dwelling of the Makara, the great aquatic creature. There, he played for a long time before finally emerging from the mire. Curious and eager to know more, Parvati addressed Mahadeva, saying, “O Lord, please tell me in detail about Yajna-Varaha’s entry into that clouded region and his emergence from the mire.” Mahadeva replied, “Long ago, Varaha Hari played within the earth. Listen, O daughter of the mountain, as I recount this tale. The blessed Lord, assuming the form of a mighty boar for the sake of the gods, lifted the goddess Earth from the depths and rose from the mire. At that very spot arose a great and sacred place, known as Varaha-tirtha. “Whoever bathes there, without doubt, attains liberation. It is a place where one should perform shraddha for the ancestors’ liberation, and by doing so, one is released and goes to a great and blissful world together with them.” Thus concludes the chapter called Varaha-tirtha in the Uttara Khanda of the glorious Padma Mahapurana. Later, Mahadeva spoke again to Parvati, saying, “Listen, O goddess, and I shall tell you of a vow so rare that it is renowned throughout the three worlds. Merely by hearing of it, people are freed from the sin of killing a Brahmin and other grave offenses. The self-luminous one manifested for the happiness of his devotees; whether observed as a lunar day or a month, this vow brings great merit. “O goddess, by uttering his name, one attains eternal liberation. He is the supreme self, the cause of all causes, the soul of the universe, of universal form, the blessed Lord of all. It was he—Narasimha, the great-souled one—who sustained the twelve suns and openly appeared for the peace of his devotees.” Parvati then asked, “O best of gods, you have described countless incarnations. Tell me, O Lord of the universe, about the supreme abode called Narasimha. By knowing this, one attains happiness merely through understanding.” Mahadeva replied, “Having slain the demon Hiranyakashipu, the god of gods, the teacher of the world, sat contentedly with Prahlada on his lap and spoke these words. Prahlada, best among the wise and the foremost slayer of his own father, addressed the Lord: ‘O blessed Vishnu, Narasimha, wondrous in form, I bow to you. I am your devotee, O best of the gods, and I ask you truly: Lord, in you my devotion has arisen in many ways. Tell me, O master, how I have become dear to you—what is the reason?’ Narasimha answered, ‘I will tell you, O greatly wise one. Listen with focused mind to the cause of devotion, my child, and again, the cause of dearness. In a previous birth, you were not born to a Brahmin, nor did you study. You were known as Vasudeva, exceedingly lustful, born to a courtesan. In that life, you performed not even a little virtuous deed, indulged in honey and ghee, and sought the company of courtesans. Yet, by the power of my vow, devotion arose in you, O sinless one.’ Prahlada then asked, ‘O Lord of the gods, tell me in detail—whose son was I, and what vow did I perform? While living with a courtesan, I somehow performed it. Having shown your compassion to me, tell me everything now.’ Narasimha continued, ‘Long ago, for the purpose of creation, Brahma made this supreme vow. By the power of my vow, all moving and unmoving beings were created. The Lord performed this vow for the destruction of Tripura, and by its power, Tripura was cast down. This excellent vow was also undertaken by many ancient gods, sages, and great wise kings. By the power of this vow, all attain success. In heaven, many enjoyments have become dear to you through me. Having enjoyed them, they merge into me. Prahlada, enter into me. For the sake of duty, your descent is separate from my body. There is no return for them, even after hundreds of great aeons. A poor man obtains wealth like Kubera. One who desires pleasure attains pleasure, one who seeks sovereignty attains supreme sovereignty, and one who desires long life attains a lifespan like Shiva. This vow grants freedom from widowhood to women, sons, good fortune, wealth and grain, and the removal of sorrow. Whether women or men perform this supreme vow, to them I grant happiness, the fruits of enjoyment and liberation. What is the use of speaking at length, dear one? Neither I nor Shankara can fully describe the fruit of this vow.’ Prahlada then said, ‘O Lord, by your grace I have heard of this supreme vow. My devotion to you is the reason I wish to hear the fruit of this vow. Now I wish to hear the supreme procedure of this vow—O Lord, in which month and on what day should it be performed? O God, please tell me in detail—by what procedure may one obtain the complete fruit?’ Narasimha replied, ‘Prahlada, dear one, may it be well with you. Listen attentively to the vow. In the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha, it should be performed on the fourteenth day. Hear, my son, of my manifestation, the cause of my satisfaction, and listen to my origin, which brings happiness to devotees. In the western direction, due to another cause, this place of the crown arose; it is sacred and destroys sin.’ Thus, the story reveals the greatness of Varaha and Narasimha, the power of their vows, and the supreme merit and liberation attainable by those who follow their sacred paths with faith and devotion.