Clad in radiant silk garments and adorned with divine garlands and fragrant unguents, the beloved consort of the Lord of gods appeared before all the celestial beings. Upon seeing her, the assembled gods, their hands joined in reverence, addressed the goddess: “O gracious Lady, please do what is pleasing to us. Grant fearlessness to the three worlds, just as the Lord would—so do.” Rudra recounts that, thus addressed, the goddess, having suddenly found her beloved Janardana, bowed low, offered her respects, and humbly requested him to be gracious. Seeing his beloved queen, Hari—the Lord of all—at once let go of the anger that had arisen in his body from the demon, and his heart was filled with delight. Taking the goddess onto his lap, the ocean of compassion embraced her. With eyes softened by a stream of mercy, Hari gazed upon the gods. As those who praised and bowed to him loudly cried, “Victory! Victory!” joy and excitement surged within all who received his merciful glance. The hosts of gods, their minds overflowing with delight, joined their palms, bowed to the Lord of the universe, and spoke: “O Lord, your most wondrous radiance is beyond our gaze; this form, marked by many arms and feet, is truly astonishing. Your radiance, sharper than fire, pervades the three worlds; none of us dwellers of heaven can look upon it or even stand before it.” Mahadeva describes how, thus requested by the gods, the Lord of the gods withdrew his exceedingly terrifying radiance and became pleasing to behold. He shone like ten million autumn moons, his eyes like lotuses, his mane made of nectar, resplendent as ten million flashes of lightning, and auspicious. His divine arms and bracelets, made of various precious gems, resembled the fruitful branches of the wish-fulfilling tree. The supreme Lord was adorned with four soft, divine arms, beautified by lotus-like hands reminiscent of hibiscus flowers. Radiant, with two raised arms holding the conch and discus, and with the other two bestowing boons and fearlessness, the Man-Lion shone brilliantly. His chest was adorned with the Srivatsa and Kaustubha jewels, decorated with a garland of forest flowers, and splendid with earrings like the rising sun and moon. He was beautifully adorned with necklaces, armlets, and bracelets, united with Lakshmi on his left side, shining as the Man-Lion. Upon seeing Lakshmi-Narasimha, the gods were filled with immense joy; their hearts overflowed with happiness, and tears of bliss welled in their eyes. Immersed in an ocean of joy, they continually bowed and worshipped the Lord of their souls, offering divine flowers. They anointed the Eternal One with pitchers filled with jewels and nectar, and adorned him with delightful garments, ornaments, fragrances, flowers, and incense. Having worshipped the Man-Lion with divine lamps and offerings, they praised him with celestial hymns and bowed again and again. Pleased, the Lord of Lakshmi granted them their desired boons. Thereafter, the compassionate Lord, together with the hosts of gods, made Prahlada—among all the demons—the imperishable king. Comforting his devotee Prahlada, he anointed him with the foremost gods. He bestowed upon Prahlada the boons he desired and unwavering devotion. Then, praised by all the hosts of gods, the Lion-Man vanished, his form showered with flowers. All the hosts of gods returned to their own realms, their hearts joyful as they enjoyed their shares of the sacrifices. The gods, together with the Gandharvas, became free from fear. With the great demon slain, all were filled with delight. Prahlada then ruled as king, upholding Vaishnava dharma. By the grace of Hari, the foremost Vaishnava obtained the kingdom; worshipping the Lion-Man with many sacrifices, gifts, and offerings, in time, he attained the eternal abode of Hari, accessible only to yogis. Those who listen daily to this story of Prahlada are freed from sin and reach the supreme state. Thus, O Devi, I have told you the glory of Narasimha, Hari. Now, O Devi, hear the remaining states of his majesty, in order. Thus ends the two hundred and thirty-eighth chapter, called “The Appearance of Narasimha,” in the dialogue between Uma and Maheshvara, in the Uttarakanda of the glorious Padma Mahapurana. Mahadeva continued: Then, at the end of a thousand years, Aditi gave birth to Vamana, the infallible Vishnu, the Lord of all worlds. His chest bore the marks of Srivatsa and Kaustubha, his radiance like the full moon; beautiful, lotus-eyed Hari, with a very small body. The god, wearing the attire of a student, accessible through all the limbs of the Vedas, was marked with signs such as the belt, deer skin, staff, and so on, as the Lord. Upon seeing him, all the gods led by Indra, together with the great sages, praised him and bowed to the mighty one. Pleased, the Blessed Lord spoke to the foremost gods: “What should I do today? Tell me, O best of gods.” Sri Shankara narrated that the delighted gods spoke to the Supreme Lord: “O Madhusudana, Bali’s sacrifice is underway. This is the time when the demon king cannot refuse; by asking, you should grant us the heavenly world.” Thus addressed by all the gods, Hari went to Bali, who was seated at the sacrificial place together with eight sages. Seeing him arrive, the king of the Daityas immediately rose—for Vishnu himself had come, accompanied by a tale of ancient times. Bali worshipped him according to the proper rite, seating him on a flower-strewn seat. Bowing down and offering respects, he spoke with a voice choked with emotion.