O revered sage, listen as I recount the story of your former existence, just as it unfolded in ages past. Long ago, due to the effects of your own actions, you were born into the lineage of birds and took form upon the earth. In that avian life, you constantly wandered, beset by hunger and thirst. You survived by eating insects and drinking water from hot springs, enduring many kinds of suffering. For four thousand years, you were repeatedly born as a bird, experiencing the hardships of that existence. One day, a Brahmin named Kulabhadra—a knower of all truths—was performing worship on the riverbank. With devoted heart, he made offerings to me and, after the rituals, left the rice he had dedicated to me before returning to his home. Driven by hunger, you, in your bird form, descended from a tree and ate all the rice that was connected to my offering. By consuming that sanctified rice, you were instantly freed from grievous sins. When your life as a bird came to its end, my own messengers arrived to bring you. Purified of sin, you were placed upon a chariot and brought by the hosts of my messengers to my supreme abode, where you dwelt in my presence for thousands of aeons, enjoying pleasures that even the gods find difficult to attain. When the time was ripe, you were born again—this time in a pure family of Brahmins. In that birth, your devotion to me became exceedingly firm once more. Through steadfast practice of rituals, you constantly worshipped me with unwavering faith. At the end of that life, by my grace, you will attain my own abode. Know this, O best of Brahmins: when I am pleased, even a sinful soul attains liberation; but if I am displeased, even the virtuous may fall into sin. Therefore, blessed are you, steadfast and devoted to me—I grant you the supreme place, which even the gods cannot attain. Hearing this, the Brahmin replied, "By your grace, O Lord, I have learned the story of my former lives. Now, out of longing, I wish to hear further: to whom, O Lord of gods, are you pleased, and with whom are you displeased? Out of compassion, please tell me all this." The Blessed Lord answered, "O best of Brahmins, I will tell you briefly by what actions my pleasure or anger arises. I am always pleased with one who is compassionate toward all beings, who is free from pride, who performs actions for my sake with devotion to righteousness, and who speaks peacefully for my sake. I am pleased with any person who, upon obtaining a desirable object, offers it to me, and who remains the same in honor and dishonor. One who knows me as abiding in the bodies of all beings and who does not harm others pleases me greatly. I am pleased with those who act thoughtfully, seek the welfare of cows and Brahmins, uphold their promises, and earnestly welcome those who seek refuge. I am pleased with those who give gifts to the helpless and whose minds remain fixed upon me. In brief, these are the actions that bring me joy. "Now, hear from me the actions that arouse my anger. I am always angered by those who delight in harming others, who are merciless to all creatures. One who speaks falsely, is cruel, or slanders others becomes my enemy. So too does one who destroys the works of poets or, without reason, abandons his parents, wife, brother, or sister. The fool who, out of delusion, forsakes or rebukes his parents, or who shows disrespect to his teacher, is my enemy. Those who cut down groves, destroy reservoirs or villages, or who despair upon seeing another's wife incur my anger. "I am angered by those who listen to sinful discussions, hate their protectors, seize the property of the helpless, or betray trust. Those who kill cows for their strength, who consort with outcast women, or who cut down sacred fig trees displease me. I am angered by those who cause division among Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, or who are excessively attached to another's wife. Those who, out of greed, eat on the sacred eleventh day, who revile the Vedas, who indulge in wicked thoughts, or who betray friends arouse my wrath. "Those who cut down the dhatri tree, or who, overcome by desire, engage in intercourse during the day, or approach women at improper times, are displeasing to me. Those who disturb someone engaged in a vow, or who eat at night on the new moon or on guest days, or who eat two meals on a Sunday, or who do not abstain from meat, intercourse, or oil on the new moon day, all incur my anger. O best of Brahmins, I am always angered by those who do not give up such actions. What more need be said? This, in brief, is the way of my pleasure and displeasure." Thus, the Lord spoke, revealing the path of merit and the causes of his grace and anger, so that all who listen may act with wisdom and devotion.