O Brahman, please tell me in detail how Viṣṇu made his steps here; for by hearing this sacred account, all sins are surely destroyed. Pulastya replied, “You have asked well, O best of men. Listen attentively as I recount the ancient tale of how Viṣṇu set his steps upon the earth. In the distant Kṛta Yuga, for the fulfillment of the gods’ purpose, Viṣṇu approached the Yajña Mountain, upon the stony slopes. At that time, O scorcher of foes, Viṣṇu acted for the sake of the earth, for all of heaven had been seized by the mighty Dānavas. Having conquered the gods, including Indra, the Dānavas brought the three worlds under their sway. These powerful beings became the enjoyers of all sacrifices. All this was accomplished by Bāṣkali, the formidable Dānava, who brought under his control the three worlds and all their moving and unmoving beings. Indra, the king of the gods, fell into utter despair and distress, his spirit broken: ‘This Bāṣkali, lord of the Dānavas, is invincible to me in battle. By the boon granted by Brahmā to the dwellers of heaven, I am now beset by all the gods in the world of Brahmā. There is no other recourse for me but to seek refuge with the Lord.’ Thus reflecting, Indra, surrounded by all the immortals, hurried to the abode of the Grandfather, Brahmā. Reaching Brahmā’s dwelling with the other gods, he spoke of the world’s dire predicament, the supreme calamity that had arisen: ‘O Lord, do you not know the cause of our fear? All has been taken by the Daityas, O Lord, due to the boon you granted. I have told you everything, including the wickedness of Bāṣkali. Act without delay, O Father, Grandfather of us all. Consider, O Lord of gods, what is to be done for the peace of the world. While we look on, the sacred rites—Vedic, Smārta, and others—are not performed. Because of this, our loss increases day by day. Just as an ordinary person speaks with his own interest in mind, so too have we informed you, always free from ulterior motives. If someone has received a favor from another and does not return it a thousandfold, his understanding is in vain. For one who, scorched by another’s favor, shameless and untrue, again acts wickedly, even dwelling in hells is his lot. Goodness is not achieved merely by reciprocation; those whose minds are fixed only on their own gain do not act thus. If someone has not found a place in this world, which brings suffering, even if his heart is torn a hundredfold, it does not attain satisfaction. Wherever I am to go, lift us out from being submerged, by telling the means by which his energy may be set in motion. As I have described and seen, observing the world as it is: devoid of study and sacrificial utterance, with festivals and auspicious rites ceased. Abandoning the pursuit of learning, giving up all dealings, forsaken by the rule of law, left with only the breath of life. The world has come to grief, and again to an even worse state; in this time, we have come to exhaustion.’ Brahmā replied, ‘I know that Bāṣkali, proud because of the boon he received. I consider him invincible to you; only Viṣṇu can attain him.’ Then Brahmā, restraining himself, entered into deep meditation. From his contemplation alone, the four-armed Lord Viṣṇu appeared. In but a short time, as Brahmā meditated, Viṣṇu arrived in a moment, as all looked on in awe. Viṣṇu spoke: ‘O Brahmā, cease your meditation, for I have been drawn here by it. For the purpose for which you meditate, I have come to you.’ Brahmā replied, ‘This is a great favor, O Lord, that you have appeared here. For whom else would such concern for the world arise? My own creation was made for the sake of the world; but this world is truly yours, so there is no wonder. By you, the world must be protected; only Rudra is to dissolve it. Now, in this world, O great-souled Indra, the kingdom of the three worlds, with all that moves and is unmoving, has been seized by Bāṣkali. Help must be given to your servant, Keśava, by granting a mantra.’ Vāsudeva said, ‘By your granting of a boon, he is now invulnerable; but he must be overcome by intelligence—this demon must be bound here. I shall become Vāmana, the destroyer of the Dānavas. Let Indra go with me to the abode of Bāṣkala. There, having arrived, let Indra ask for this boon on my behalf: three steps of land, O King, from this Vāmana, the Brāhmaṇa. Grant it, O most fortunate one; this request has been made by me. Indra has said that the lord of the Dānavas would give even his own life. Having received the gift from that Dānava, O Grandfather, bind him and, with effort, make him dwell in the netherworld. Assuming the form of a boar, for the destruction of that wicked one, I shall become—there is no doubt. Go, O Indra, with haste.’ Having spoken thus, Viṣṇu ceased and became invisible. Then, after some time, Viṣṇu entered the womb of Aditi. When Viṣṇu, the support of the entire world, entered the womb, very terrible omens appeared in many forms. Yet at that time, an auspicious and powerful omen also occurred: a fragrant, delightful breeze filled with the scent of mālatī flowers blew gently across the earth. Thus unfolded the divine preparation for Viṣṇu’s steps, which would restore balance to the worlds.