The noble priest Dhiṣaṇa undertook the sacred sacrifice, following the prescribed rites with utmost devotion. He constructed an altar entirely of lotuses, using their stalks as directed for the special lotus initiation. Guided by the will of the gods, the wise sage accepted the offerings and imparted to the assembled seekers the knowledge of the Vedas, teaching them as tradition required. Brhaspati, renowned for his noble mind, overcame his initial wonder at the initiation. He prepared a single sacred fire, dedicated to the benefit of the heavenly beings. Angiras, pleased with their devotion, bestowed upon them the recitations ordained by the Vedas—the Trisuparna, Trimadhu, and the purifying Pavamani hymns. With noble intellect, he taught them all the necessary chants and associated practices, including the sacred bath accompanied by the ‘āpo hiṣṭha’ invocation, known as the Brahma bath. This Brahma bath, it was revealed, destroys sin, pacifies the wicked, and increases nourishment, prosperity, and strength. It brings success and fame, and removes the impurities of the Kali age. Therefore, one should diligently perform the Brahma bath, as do those who are silent, self-restrained, initiated, and have mastered their senses. These practitioners carry water pots, wear loose garments and rosaries, bear staffs, are clad in bark cloth, and adorn their hair in matted locks. Devoted to their practice, they bathe regularly, sit in proper posture, and meditate with effort, fixing their minds on Brahman and desiring regulated food. Observing silence, they avoid seeing, speaking, touching, or meditating on anything but the Divine. Thus, these vow-holders perform their baths three times a day. Endowed with supreme devotion and following the highest procedures, their minds, through disciplined meditation, gradually attained divine knowledge. When their minds became pure and one-pointed, refined by the fire of meditation on Brahman, the Blessed Lord appeared before them, visible to all. Overwhelmed by His radiance, their minds at first faltered, but they steadied themselves and worshipped the Lord as tradition prescribed. Using the six-limbed Veda as their means, they rejoiced in their hearts, intent on devotion, joining their hands above their heads and bowing low to the ground. They praised the Lord, the creator and sustainer of the universe, saying: “To Brahma, who embodies Brahman, who is devoted to the Supreme and unconquered, we bow with perfect discipline. O Lord, giver of sacrificial knowledge, who moves in compassion for the worlds and is the very form of creation, we bow to you. To the compassionate one, praised by Vedic hymns, who has many forms and the true form, who bears a hundred shapes, we offer our salutations. To the Lord of Sāvitrī, to the Lord of Gāyatrī, to the one seated on a lotus, to Padmā, to you with a lotus face, we bow. To the giver and the worthy of boons, to the Tortoise and the Deer, to you adorned with matted locks and a 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, the Lord of the universe, repeated salutations. Grant us the protection of righteousness beyond compare; with our words, minds, and bodies, we have taken refuge in you, O Grandfather.” Thus praised by the gods, Brahmā—the best knower of Brahman—spoke: “Indeed, I will grant you the vision you desire, unfailing in its power. Speak, O sons, whatever you wish; I shall grant you boon after boon.” Thus addressed, the gods replied, “O Blessed One, this very boon is sufficient and great for us. This lotus, which you have cast, has been named by us with an auspicious sound. But tell us, for what reason has the earth trembled and the worlds been disturbed? Such an event cannot be without cause, O god; let the reason be made known.” Brahma answered, “For your welfare and the protection of the gods, I have placed this lotus. Hear now the reason: The demon Vajranabha, who steals the lives of children, has seized the lowest region of the underworld. Knowing of your coming, that wicked one, armed and steeped in austerities, sought to slay even the gods along with Indra. His destruction was accomplished by me through the dropping of the lotus; proud of his kingdom and power, he was thus slain by me. May devoted Brahmins, learned in the Vedas, never fall into misfortune but attain good fortune again. Among gods, demons, humans, serpents, rakshasas, and all beings, I am the same, O dwellers in heaven. For your welfare, that sinful one was destroyed by me through a mantra; by seeing this lotus, he attained the worlds gained by the virtuous. By the lotus released by me, this place on earth will become known as Pushkara, a great and holy tirtha, bestowing purity and merit. It grants merit to all creatures on earth; indeed, a favor has been granted, O gods, to devotees who seek devotion. By constant residence in this forest, and at the request of the trees, the sinless Mahakala came here for my sake. And to you, who practice austerities, great knowledge has been revealed; O gods, cherish both your own good and the good of others. You should be seen on earth in various forms; and know this: a man who, out of hatred, afflicts a wise Brahmin is struck down by sin. He cannot be freed from sin even in a hundred million births; one should never kill or slander a Brahmin learned in the Vedas and their branches. For when one is killed, it is as if a hundred million are slain. One should feed, with faith, a Brahmin who knows the end of the Vedas. Feeding one such Brahmin is like feeding a hundred million Brahmins—of this there is no doubt. And whoever gives alms to ascetics, filling their bowls…” Thus, the sacred story unfolds, revealing the power of devotion, the importance of sacred knowledge, and the blessings bestowed upon those who uphold righteousness and honor the wise.