Merely by beholding the great horse sacrifice, the Aśvamedha, one attains its full merit, and, accompanied by twenty-one groups of celestial beings, is granted residence in Vaikuṇṭha, the supreme abode of Viṣṇu. There, after enjoying immense pleasures for three hundred kalpas, such a soul is eventually reborn on earth as a universal monarch, ruling with unmatched splendor. O Bhīṣma, know that the sacred stream which first issued from the tip of Viṣṇu’s big toe is called the Vaiṣṇavī river. This river, born from the very foot of Viṣṇu, is renowned as the Gaṅgā, also known as Viṣṇupadī. It is by this act that the Gaṅgā became known as "she who arises from Viṣṇu’s foot," and, through her descent, the entire threefold world—everything that moves and does not move—was permeated with her sanctity. The pure waters that flowed from the wound at Viṣṇu’s toe attained the status of a divine river, becoming the celebrated Viṣṇupadī. By her grace, the cosmic egg itself, with all its beings, was pervaded, for Viṣṇu wished to bestow his compassion upon all. Then, as the tale of Vāmana unfolded, Bāṣkali was addressed by the Lord in his dwarf form: "Fulfill my steps." At these words, Bāṣkali was cast into silence, downcast and unable to reply. Seeing him thus, the priest spoke: "The power to give is innate; it cannot be created by ourselves." Bāṣkali then addressed Viṣṇu: "O Lord, as much as this earth exists, so much has been given to you by him—as far as the earth extends." He continued, "What was created by you before, I have not withheld; the land is small, you are vast, but I am not able to create more. The power of will, O Lord, always rests with you." Recognizing the truth in his words, Viṣṇu remained silent for a moment, then spoke: "Speak, O chief of Dānavas, what boon shall I grant you? The water in my hand was given by you, O Dānava. Therefore, you are worthy to choose a boon—a fit recipient of blessings. I will grant you your wish here; ask for whatever you desire." Thus addressed, Bāṣkali petitioned the Lord of gods, Janārdana: "O Lord of gods, I choose devotion; let my death come only at your hands. I will go to Śvetadvīpa, which is hard to attain even for ascetics." Viṣṇu replied, "Remain there until the end of the age. When I, in the form of the Boar, enter the earth, then I will slay you here, when you come before me." Hearing these words, Bāṣkali withdrew from that place, and Vāmana encompassed all the worlds with his steps. Abandoned by the Asuras, the truthfulness of the gods was established, and the Lord, having seized the three worlds, became invisible. Bāṣkali, now dwelling in Pātāla, remained there happily, while Śakra, the wise Indra, protected the three worlds. This divine manifestation of the Guru of the world is known as Trivikrama, united with the origin of the Gaṅgā, the destroyer of all sins. O king, the origin of Viṣṇu’s three steps has been told to you. Whoever hears this sacred account is freed from all sins. Evil dreams, dreadful thoughts, difficult deeds, and misdeeds—all these quickly vanish upon seeing or contemplating Viṣṇu’s three steps. Even the most sinful beings, when they witness the succession of ages, have subtlety revealed to them through the vision of Viṣṇu’s steps. Whoever ascends to that holy place in silence, having performed the pilgrimage to Tripuṣkarā, attains the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. Freed from all sins, one who dies there goes to the city of Viṣṇu. At this, Bhīṣma spoke: "O Lord, truly wondrous is the binding of Bāṣkala and the form of Trivikrama assumed when Bali was restrained. I have heard before, as recounted by the foremost of the twice-born, that Bali, son of Virocana, still dwells in Pātāla. How did the Nāga-tīrtha come to be as it is, and what is the origin of the Piśācas? How did Śivadūtī arise here, and by whom was she made auspicious? By whom, O great sage, was Puṣkara brought into the sky? Tell me all this, and how the binding of Bāṣkala happened. Formerly, Viṣṇu traversed the earth; what was the second reason for which the god acted thus? You truly know all this as it happened; speak it as it is. This is to be heard by one who desires prosperity, for it destroys sin." Pulastya replied: "O king, you have asked these questions out of curiosity, and I shall tell you all as it truly happened. The binding of Bāṣkala here was due to Viṣṇu's stride; all this you have heard, and I have recounted it to you. Again, O Bhīṣma, when the age of Vaivasvata arrived, the three worlds were conquered by Bali, and Viṣṇu, the mighty Lord, subdued him. Going alone to the sacrifice, Bali was restrained in that way; again, the god of gods traversed the earth. The appearance of Vāmana was thus, O king; again, becoming Trivikrama, Vāmana became the dwarf. This entire origin I have told you, O descendant of Kuru; now hear about the tīrtha of the Nāgas, O great vow-holder." "Ananta, Vāsuki, the mighty Takṣaka, Karkoṭa the lord of Nāgas, and another serpent, Padma, as well as Mahāpadma, Śaṅkha, Kulika, and Aparājita—these are the descendants of Kaśyapa, and by them the world was filled. By the progeny of these Nāgas, the world became populated; they are crooked, fearsome in deed, sharp-mouthed, and full of poison." Thus was the wondrous tale of Viṣṇu’s stride, the descent of the divine river, and the lineage of the Nāgas revealed.