Brahma, the boon-giver, bestowed a remarkable blessing upon the trees: he granted them the ability to move and assume forms as they wished, to fulfill the desires of men, and to shine radiantly with the fruits of their austerities. With supreme prosperity, conferred by Brahma’s grace, the trees were thus favored. After remaining for a thousand years, Brahma cast his lotus upon the earth. As the lotus fell, the ground shook so violently that the tremors reached all the way to the netherworld. The oceans, disturbed and agitated, abandoned their shores in distress. Tigers and wild beasts scattered, as if struck by Indra’s thunderbolt. Thousands of mountain peaks shattered, and the aerial palaces of gods and siddhas, as well as the cities of the gandharvas, were thrown into chaos. These structures moved, wandered, fell, and disappeared into the earth; clusters of pigeon-clouds tumbled from the sky, appearing as masses of wings. The hosts of celestial luminaries were obscured, and the suns became fierce. The great sound rendered all beings mute, blind, and deaf. The three worlds, filled with both moving and unmoving creatures, were shaken; even the bodies and minds of all gods and demons were agitated. Bewildered, they wondered, “What is this? What is this?”—but none could comprehend the cause. Gathering their courage, they all looked toward Brahma, but he was nowhere to be seen. They questioned anxiously: where had Brahma gone, why was the earth trembling, and what was the meaning of these ominous signs? At that moment, Vishnu arrived at the assembly of gods. After bowing respectfully, the dwellers of heaven addressed him: “O Lord, tell us what is happening—these omens and portents. By what force of time have the three worlds been shaken? It seems the end of a cosmic cycle has come, the ocean of order breached, even the four elephants that support the directions have become unsteady. Why is the earth enveloped by the waters of the seven seas? There is no apparent cause for this sound, no purpose for it. Such a noise, as we recall, has never been heard before nor will it be heard again; by this fierce sound, the three worlds have been thrown into confusion. Whether this sound is auspicious or inauspicious for the gods of all three worlds, O Lord, if you know, please tell us.” Thus addressed, Vishnu—endowed with supreme power—replied, “Do not fear, O Maruts. Listen now to the reason for this. I have ascertained with certainty and will explain properly. The blessed Brahma, lotus-handed and grandsire of the worlds, is established in a holy region of the earth, intent on performing a sacrifice in a most beautiful forest at the foot of the mountains. From his hand, a lotus fell to the earth, and it was this great sound which caused you all to be shaken. There, honored by the multitude of trees and fragrant with the scent of flowers, the blessed one accepted that forest, with its beasts and birds. For the welfare of the world, he chose to dwell there; that sacred place is called Pushkara, and the field is known as Vrishabha. It was established by the blessed one, benefactor of the worlds. Go there to Brahma, together with me, and propitiate him. When worshipped, the blessed one will grant boons, one after another.” Having spoken thus, Vishnu, accompanied by the gods and Dānavas, proceeded to the part of the forest where Brahma resides. They went joyfully, their hearts delighted, accompanied by the calls of cuckoos. Entering Brahma’s forest, splendid with heaps of bright flowers, all the gods arrived at that woodland, which was as beautiful as Nandana itself. At that time, the forest, rich with lotuses and wildflowers, appeared splendid and strong. The gods entered, marveling at the woodland adorned with every kind of blossom. Eager to see Brahma, the gods wandered about, and, along with Indra, began to hunt through the forest. Despite their swift search, they could not find the end of that wondrous woodland. As they searched, the god Vayu was perceived by the deities. He spoke to them: “You will not see Brahma without austerity.” Weary from searching, the gods remained on the mountain slope. Again and again, in the south and north and in between, Vayu, holding them in his heart, spoke once more: “There are three methods for seeing Virinchi (Brahma) at all times: faith, knowledge, austerity, and yoga. Yogis see the deity in both manifest and unmanifest forms; ascetics see the manifest, while the wise see the supreme unmanifest. When knowledge arises, one with weak faith does not see; but yogis swiftly see Brahma through supreme devotion. He should be seen as changeless, the lord of Pradhana and Purusha; those always devoted, by action, mind, and speech, approach the ancestor, Brahma. Practice austerity, blessings to you, devoted to worshipping Brahma; for those who have undertaken Brahminical initiation and are devoted among the twice-born, he knows at all times. I must grant a vision.” Hearing Vayu’s words and understanding their benefit, the gods’ minds became filled with the desire for Brahma. They then spoke to the lord of speech: “Grant us Brahminical initiation, for we are wise and learned.” Desiring to initiate them, the guru quickly gave the gods Brahma’s initiation, according to the procedure prescribed in the Vedas. With humble attire and bowed heads, they became disciples. Having received Brahma’s grace, they attained the knowledge known as Paushkara.