When the fierce battle had ended, the defeated demons, having been struck down, fled in all directions and descended into the underworld. The gods, now filled with joy and relief, gathered together and reverently worshipped the Lord bearing the conch, discus, and mace—Vishnu himself, their deliverer. Having paid their respects as before, the gods returned to their heavenly abodes. From that time onward, O Bhishma, the demons, cursed by Krishna, became infatuated with women and were consigned to the netherworld. With the demons subdued, the sun shone forth with renewed brilliance, traveling his ordained path in the sky. The sacred fire blazed up with great radiance, and within all beings, the mind was drawn toward righteousness. Thus, prosperity returned to the three worlds, which were now protected by Vishnu. At this time, Brahma, the sustainer of all, addressed the assembled gods. He declared, “For your protection, I have appointed Vishnu, and the lord of the gods, the husband of Uma—Shiva—will ensure your welfare. Because these two are always worshipped and bring you safety, they will ever remain auspicious, bestowing boons upon you.” Having spoken thus, the blessed Brahma departed along his own path, becoming invisible to those present. When Indra returned to his celestial realm, Hari (Vishnu) and Shankara (Shiva) likewise went to their own abodes, with Shiva reaching the heights of Kailasa. With the gods restored to their places, Indra, king of the gods, protected all three worlds. In this age of renewed fortune, the greatly fortunate goddess Lakshmi was born from the ocean of milk. She was again born in the family of Khyati, the eternal one, and also took birth, along with prosperity itself, as the daughter of the great sage Bhrigu. Long ago, a city bearing Lakshmi’s own name was built upon the banks of the sacred Narmada river, with the approval of Brahma. Once, Lakshmi brought this city, along with its key, to her father. She went to the world of the gods, and upon her return, she asked for her city back. However, driven by greed, her father did not return it to her. Lakshmi then obtained the city from Bhrigu, and at that time, she spoke to Keshava (Vishnu), saying, “I have been slighted by my father, who has taken my city. Seize that city from his hand and return it to me yourself.” The lotus-eyed Lord, bearing the discus and mace, approached Bhrigu and gently requested, “Give the city to your daughter.” He added, “Out of kindness, both the city and the key should be given to the key-bearer.” But Bhrigu, angered, replied, “I will not give the city. That city does not belong to Lakshmi, O god, for I myself made it. I will not give it—cease your insistence, Keshava.” Vishnu again urged him, “Give that city to Lakshmi; in every way, you must relinquish it, by my command, O great sage.” Bhrigu, now filled with anger, retorted, “O righteous one, by taking your wife’s side, you now trouble me. In the world of men, O Madhusudana, you will be born ten times; through separation from your wife, you will experience suffering.” Thus, the enraged Bhrigu pronounced this curse upon Vishnu. The great soul Vishnu, in turn, cursed Bhrigu, saying, “You will not find joy in children, O foremost of sages.” After delivering this curse, Vishnu departed for the world of Brahma. Witnessing these events, Keshava spoke to the lotus-born Brahma: “O Lord, your son Bhrigu, in great anger, has cursed me without cause. He said, ‘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 rest in the great ocean. Whenever there is divine work to be done, you must call me again.’” As Vishnu spoke, Brahma, the teacher of the worlds, sought to appease him with praise: “This world was created by you, O Padma, sprung from your navel; I was born there, and am subject to you, O Keshava. 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 can remove the effect of a curse. Who is this Bhrigu, and how could he possibly curse Janardana? Always honor the sages, for the brahmanas are your own form. Practice yogic sleep, O Lord, and rest in the ocean of milk; when the time comes for action, O Madhava, I will awaken you. Meanwhile, strengthened by your power, Indra will accomplish all tasks, destroying enemies by your own portion. While protecting the three worlds, he will act according to your command.” Thus praised, Vishnu replied to Brahma, “I will do everything you instruct me, O Lord.” Then the god became invisible, and Brahma could no longer perceive him. When Vishnu had departed, Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, resumed his work of creation, being the origin and master of all beings. As Brahma created, the sage Narada, foremost among speakers, approached and spoke: “The thousand-headed Purusha, with a thousand eyes and a thousand feet, all-pervading, stands ten fingers above the earth. Whatever has been and whatever will be, all comes from you; thus, O father, this entire universe has arisen from you and will arise from you. From you comes the sacrifice, all offerings, clarified butter, and the sacrificial animal in two forms; from you are born the Ṛg and Sāma hymns. From you arise the sacrifices, from you the horses and elephants; cows are born from you, and metals and wild animals originate from you.” Thus, the cycle of creation, protection, and divine intervention continued, with all beings and all things springing from the great Purusha, the source of the universe.