O King, thus have I told you the origin of Viṣṇu’s three steps. Simply by hearing this sacred account, a person in this world is freed from all sins. Even the most dire dreams, fearful thoughts, arduous deeds, and misdeeds—all these are swiftly destroyed when one beholds or contemplates the three mighty strides of Lord Viṣṇu. For those who are sinful, witnessing the unfolding of the ages, Viṣṇu reveals subtle truths through the vision of his steps. Whoever, in silence and reverence, ascends to that holy place after performing the pilgrimage to Tripuṣkarā, attains the merit equal to that of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. Freed from all sins, one who dies there journeys to the very city of Viṣṇu. Bhīṣma then spoke, his voice filled with awe: “O Lord, the binding of Bāṣkala and the wondrous form of Trivikrama, assumed by Viṣṇu when he subdued Bali, are truly marvelous. I have heard before, as recounted by the foremost of the twice-born, that Bali, the son of Virocana, still resides in Pātāla. But tell me, how did the Nāga-tīrtha come to be as it is? What is the origin of the Piśācas? How did Śivadūtī arise here, and by whom was she made auspicious? Who was it, O great sage, that brought Puṣkara into the sky? And how did the binding of Bāṣkala occur?” Bhīṣma continued, “Formerly, Viṣṇu traversed the earth. For what second reason did the god act thus? You, O sage, know all these things as they truly happened. I ask you to speak of them, for such knowledge brings prosperity and destroys sin.” Pulastya replied, “O king, you have asked these questions with a pure curiosity, and I shall recount all as it truly happened. The binding of Bāṣkala here was indeed due to Viṣṇu’s stride; you have heard this already, as I have recounted. Now, listen again: when the age of Vaivasvata arrived, Bali conquered the three worlds, and Viṣṇu, the mighty lord, subdued him. Alone, Viṣṇu went to Bali’s sacrifice and restrained him there; once more, the god of gods traversed the earth. Thus did Vāmana appear, O king, and then, becoming Trivikrama, he took the form of a dwarf. This is the origin, as I have told you, O descendant of Kuru. Now hear of the tīrtha of the Nāgas. Ananta, Vāsuki, the mighty Takṣaka, Karkoṭa the lord of Nāgas, and another serpent named Padma, along with Mahāpadma, Śaṅkha, Kulika, and Aparājita—these are all descendants of Kaśyapa, and their progeny filled the world. These serpents, born of Kaśyapa, were crooked by nature, fearsome in their deeds, sharp-mouthed, and filled with potent poison. When they bit frail humans, those people were reduced to ashes in an instant; even the sight of these serpents could bring death to humans. Day after day, a most terrible destruction spread across the world. Witnessing their own ruin, all people everywhere perished. In their anguish, all beings sought refuge with the Supreme Lord, Brahmā, for deliverance. Approaching the ancient, lotus-born Brahmā, they pleaded: ‘O Lord of gods, O Supreme Lord, you are the progenitor of the worlds. Protect us from these great serpents with sharp fangs, O Lord; every day, we, the wretched, are stricken with terrible fear. Humans, animals, birds, and all beings are reduced to ashes. O Lord, your creation is being destroyed by the serpents. Knowing this, O Grandfather, do what is appropriate.’ Brahmā reassured them: ‘I shall provide protection for you all, without doubt. Return to your own dwellings, free from illness and fear.’ Thus comforted by Brahmā, the beings departed, greatly delighted after offering him praise. When the beings had gone, Brahmā summoned the serpents. Then, exceedingly enraged, he cursed the serpents led by Vāsuki: ‘Day after day, creatures are devoured by the wicked. Humans and cattle bitten by you perish swiftly. Since, by my power, you constantly bring destruction to mankind, therefore, in this very age, due to my terrible wrath, a dreadful destruction will befall your race in the era of Vaivasvata. Another king of the lunar dynasty, Janamejaya, will burn you in the serpent-sacrifice, in a blazing fire. And Garuḍa will devour your sons and maternal uncles; thus, destruction will come upon all of you with evil minds.’ Having cursed a thousand clans of serpents so that only one remained, Brahmā’s words made the foremost serpents tremble. Falling at his feet, they pleaded: ‘Lord, you who bring forth beings, our nature is crooked. You yourself, O Lord, have made us full of poison, cruel, and with biting fangs; why do you now curse us?’ Brahmā replied: ‘Even if I created you with crooked intent, then what of it? Continue to devour freely, without fear.’ But the serpents implored him further: ‘O Lord of gods, establish boundaries and separate places for humans and for us; make an agreement, O Lord. The curse you have given, that the human Janamejaya will destroy us in the serpent-sacrifice, will bring about our utter ruin.’ Thus, O king, the tale of Viṣṇu’s strides, the arising of the Nāgas, and the fate decreed by Brahmā has been faithfully recounted.