Before the assembled gods, Lakṣmī approached Hari and reached his chest. Addressing the divine Lord, she spoke with devotion: “O god, I am never to be abandoned. Always obedient to your command, I will dwell upon your chest, beloved by all the world.” Seeing Lakṣmī thus established on Viṣṇu’s chest, the gods were suddenly filled with supreme joy. But the Daityas, turning away from Viṣṇu, became greatly distressed, for Lakṣmī had abandoned the Dānavas, led by Vipracitti. At that moment, the demons seized the nectar held by Dhanvantari; with wicked intent, they took the mighty elixir. By his divine illusion, Viṣṇu assumed the form of a beautiful woman and enticed the demons, saying, “Give me the pitcher.” Promising to remain subject to them and in their house, the woman—most lovely in all the three worlds—captivated their minds. Overcome by desire for her splendid form and blinded by greed, the demons handed the nectar to her and watched her eagerly. The woman took the nectar from the demons and gave it to the gods; the hosts of gods, led by Indra, drank the nectar. Enraged, the demons, swords raised, rushed toward her, but after the nectar was consumed, their mighty army was defeated. Slain, the demons fled in all directions and entered the underworld. The gods, filled with joy, worshipped Viṣṇu, the bearer of the conch, discus, and mace. Bowing as before, they returned to heaven. From that time onward, O Bhīṣma, the demons became infatuated with women. Cursed by Kṛṣṇa, the demons descended to the netherworld; then the sun shone brightly and proceeded on its own path. The blessed fire blazed forth with great brilliance, and in all beings, the mind turned toward righteousness. The three worlds, endowed with prosperity, were protected by Viṣṇu. Then Brahmā, sustainer of the worlds, addressed the gods, saying, “For your protection, I have appointed Viṣṇu; and the lord of the gods, the husband of Uma, will ensure your welfare. Because they are always worshipped and bring you safety, these two will always be auspicious and bestow boons.” Having spoken thus, the blessed Brahmā departed on his own path. When the lord of all worlds became invisible, Indra returned to the world of the gods, and Hari and Śaṅkara went to their own realms, including Kailāsa. At that moment, the two gods reached their places. Then the king of the gods protected the three worlds. Thus, the greatly fortunate Lakṣmī was born from the ocean of milk. Again, she was born in the family of Khyāti, the eternal one, and together with prosperity, she was born by the great sage Bhṛgu. A city bearing her own name had been built on the riverbank of the Narmadā, approved by Brahmā. Lakṣmī once brought her own city, along with its key, to her father and went to the world of the gods. After returning, she requested the city again, but out of greed, when she asked, it was not given to her. She then obtained it from Bhṛgu, and at that time she spoke to Keśava: “I have been slighted by my father, who has taken my city. Seize that city from his hand and bring it back yourself.” The lotus-eyed god, bearer of the discus and mace, went and gently said to Bhṛgu, “Give the city to your daughter. Out of kindness, both the city and the key should be given to the key-bearer.” But Bhṛgu, angered, replied, “I will not give the city. That city does not belong to Lakṣmī, O god, for I myself made it. O Lord, I will not give it—cease your insistence, Keśava.” Viṣṇu insisted, “Give that city to Lakṣmī; in every way, you must relinquish it, by my command, O great sage.” Bhṛgu, filled with anger, said to Keśava, “O righteous one, by taking your wife’s side, you now trouble me. In the world of men, O Madhusūdana, you will be born ten times; through separation from your wife, you will experience suffering.” Thus, Bhṛgu, greatly enraged, pronounced this curse upon Viṣṇu. In turn, Viṣṇu, the great soul, cursed Bhṛgu: “You will not find joy in children, O foremost of sages.” After giving this curse, Viṣṇu went to the world of Brahmā. Seeing this, Keśava spoke to the lotus-born Brahmā: “O Lord, your son Bhṛgu, greatly enraged, has cursed me. Without cause, he has cursed me: ‘You will be born ten times in human form and from that, you will experience many sufferings.’ The pain arising from separation from my wife will destroy my strength and vigor; therefore, I will leave this world and lie in the great ocean. Whenever there is divine work to be done, you must call me again.” As Viṣṇu spoke, Brahmā, teacher of the worlds, offered praise: “This world was created by you, O Padma, sprung from your navel; I was born there and am subject to you, O Keśava. You are the protector of all worlds, O Lord, you are the creator of the universe; you must not abandon the three worlds—this is my only request. For the welfare of the worlds, you yourself must act in human births for ten lifetimes; no one is able to remove the effect of a curse.” Thus, the story unfolds—of Lakṣmī’s devotion, the gods’ triumph, the demons’ downfall, and the divine interplay of curses and boons between Viṣṇu and Bhṛgu, all for the protection and prosperity of the worlds.