In that sacred place, honored by the multitude of trees and fragrant with the scent of blossoming flowers, the Blessed One graciously accepted the forest, alive with its many beasts and birds. For the welfare of the world, he chose to dwell there, and that hallowed land became known as Puṣkara, with its field called Vṛṣabha. Established by the Blessed One, benefactor of all the worlds, it was declared that one should go to Brahmā there, together with devoted companions, and offer propitiation. It is said that when worshipped, the Blessed One would grant boons, one after another. Having spoken thus, the revered Viṣṇu, accompanied by the gods and Dānavas, journeyed to that part of the forest where the lotus-born Brahmā resides. They went with hearts full of delight, their way filled with the sweet calls of cuckoos. As they entered Brahmā’s forest, radiant with heaps of bright flowers, all the gods arrived at that woodland, which shone with a splendor that rivaled the celestial Nandana grove. At this time, the forest, abundant with lotuses and wildflowers, appeared strong and resplendent. The gods, adorned with every kind of blossom, entered deeper, eager to explore its wonders. Wandering through the forest, the gods, along with Indra, began to hunt, driven by curiosity and the desire to see the end of this wondrous place. Yet, swift as they were, they could not find its limits. As they searched, they encountered the god Vāyu, who was soon perceived by the deities. Vāyu addressed them, saying, “You will not see Brahmā without austerity.” Weary from their search, the gods rested upon the mountain slope. Again and again, whether in the south, north, or the spaces between, Vāyu, holding them in his heart, spoke to them once more. He revealed, “There are three methods for seeing Virinchi (Brahmā) at all times: through faith, knowledge, austerity, and yoga. Yogis behold the deity in both manifest and unmanifest forms; ascetics perceive the manifest aspect, while the wise see the supreme unmanifest. When knowledge arises, one with weak faith does not see; but yogis, through supreme devotion, swiftly behold Brahmā. He should be seen as changeless, the Lord of Pradhāna and Puruṣa. Those who are ever devoted—by action, mind, and speech—approach the Ancestor, Brahmā. Practice austerity, blessings to you, and devote yourselves to worshipping Brahmā; this is for those who have undertaken the Brahminical initiation and are devoted among the twice-born.” Vāyu continued, “He knows at all times; I must grant you a vision.” Hearing these words and understanding their benefit, the gods, their minds filled with longing for Brahmā, approached the Lord of Speech and said, “Grant us Brahminical initiation, for we are wise and learned.” Desiring to initiate them, the guru swiftly performed the sacred initiation for the gods, following the procedures set forth in the Vedas. Dressed humbly and with heads bowed, they became disciples. Having received Brahmā’s grace, they attained the knowledge known as Paushkara. The excellent priest, Dhiṣaṇa, performed the sacrifice according to the prescribed rite, fashioning a lotus altar rich with lotus stalks, as required for the lotus initiation. The sage, prompted by the gods’ wishes, accepted them and imparted to those discerning ones the knowledge according to Vedic instruction. Bṛhaspati, noble-minded, set aside his astonishment at their initiation and, for the dwellers of heaven, prepared a single sacred fire. Angiras, pleased, provided the recitations prescribed in the Vedas: the Trisuparṇa, Trimadhu, and the purifying Pavamāni hymns. With noble intellect, he taught them all the recitations and related practices, including the bath accompanied by the “āpo hiṣṭha” recitation, known as the Brahma bath. This sacred bath destroys sin, pacifies the wicked, increases nourishment, prosperity, and strength, grants success and fame, and removes the impurities of the Kali age. Therefore, one should perform the Brahma bath with utmost effort, as do those who are silent, self-restrained, initiated, and have subdued their senses. All bore water pots, wore loose garments and rosaries, carried staffs, donned bark cloth, and adorned themselves with matted hair. Engaged in this practice, they bathed, sat in proper posture, devoted themselves to meditation with effort, fixed their minds on Brahman, and regulated their food. Observing silence, they avoided unnecessary sight, speech, contact, and meditation on other things. Thus, all the vow-holders performed their bathing three times a day. Endowed with supreme devotion and following the highest procedure, in due time, through meditation, their minds attained divine knowledge. When their minds became purified and single-pointed, ignited by the fire of meditation on Brahman, the Blessed Lord appeared before them, visible to all. Filled with his radiance, their minds at first became bewildered, but relying on that light, they steadied themselves and worshipped the Lord as prescribed. Using the six-limbed Veda as their means, with hearts rejoicing and intent, they joined their hands atop their heads and bowed until their foreheads touched the ground. They praised the Lord, the creator and sustainer of the universe, saying: “To Brahmā, who has the body of Brahman, who is devoted to Brahman and unconquered, we bow with perfect discipline. O Lord, giver of sacrificial knowledge, who moves with compassion for the worlds and is the very form of creation, we bow to you. “To the one compassionate to devotees, praised by Vedic recitation and hymns, who has many forms and the true form, who bears a hundred shapes; to the Lord of Sāvitrī, to the Lord of Gāyatrī, we bow; to the one seated on a lotus, to Padmā, to you with a lotus face, we bow. “To the giver of boons, the worthy of boons, to the Tortoise and the Deer; to you adorned with matted locks and crown, bearer of ladle and sacrificial spoon; to you who have the deer-mark and the nature of a deer, who have righteousness as your eye, to you named Viśva, to Viśva, to the Lord of the universe, we offer repeated salutations.” Thus, in reverence and devotion, the gods worshipped the Blessed Lord Brahmā, the source of all blessings.