As Govinda gazed at the astonishing pillar of light that had suddenly appeared before them, questions surged through his mind. Where had this wondrous phenomenon arisen from? What was its root, and what was its cause? How far did its brilliance extend—in all directions, above and across the cosmos? His mind grew restless, consumed by a desire to understand the mystery of this boundless radiance. Overwhelmed by the weight of these thoughts and the dazzling sight before him, Govinda spoke out, his voice filled with pride. “Truly, a test now lies before us, one that demands to be examined. Of this immense mass of light, whose extent cannot be fathomed, let whoever is able discover either its root below or its tip above—let that one be acknowledged as supreme!” Thus, the spirit of rivalry took hold of both Govinda and Brahmā, and their energies surged, each determined to surpass the other in this quest. With resolve, Brahmā set off to seek the highest reaches of the pillar, aiming to see its summit. At the same time, Viṣṇu, steadfast in form, assumed the shape of a mighty boar, intent on finding the root. Turning downward, he split the earth with his powerful snout, filling the space with the fierce sound of his grunting. Wherever he burrowed, the pillar of light remained, unwavering and unchanged. As he delved deeper, fissures in the earth revealed serpents slithering through the darkness. Viṣṇu saw the pillar standing firm, like the root-bulb of the golden mountain. From afar, he glimpsed the earth’s very ankles, steadfast in bearing the world’s weight. There, too, he saw the great frog, and he himself—the enemy of Madhu—witnessed these marvels. Even the Unmanifest beheld the sustaining power of the earth at these depths. Viṣṇu beheld the realms of Atala, Vitala, Sutala, and Nitala. With his lotus eyes, he saw all seven of the nether worlds. He passed beyond the city of Bhogavatī, known as Vairocani, his curiosity ever growing. “This I have seen, this too I have seen,” he kept repeating as he pressed onward. Even beneath these realms, Viṣṇu pierced the dense ocean with his mighty snout. The earth split before him, and the ocean churned violently in his wake. Yet, for thousands of years, his mind wandered in confusion and bewilderment—no root could he find. His hooves wore down, his fangs broke, and his body grew battered and exhausted. Panting and weary, his pride was humbled, but still, he was eager to return, even though he had not fulfilled his vow. His eyes, blinded by fatigue, lingered in the depths of the netherworlds. Eventually, he managed to emerge—not at the place where he had begun, but far from it. Guided by the radiance of the pillar of light, as if by a rope, he made his way back. Yet, even after all his striving, he could not perceive the root of that great mass of splendor. There was no origin to be found before this heap of brilliance. For a long time, Viṣṇu—surpassing all worlds—remained blinded by delusion before the pillar. At last, his resolve spent and his pride released, the lotus-eyed one withdrew from the depths. With a great leap, he hurled himself upward, face turned to the sky, soaring into the unsupported expanse. As he ascended swiftly, his wings scattered the waters around him. Rising with tremendous force, Viṣṇu soared far beyond the reach of sight, returning from his profound journey into the mystery of the eternal light.