In the sacred northeast lies a holy place renowned for destroying sin, intimately connected to the great King Ambarisha. It is here, in this hallowed ground, that Hrishikesha—the Supreme Lord Vishnu—himself manifested during the era of Kali. Long ago, in the Krita age, Ambarisha ruled the earth as a noble and virtuous king. At this very site, he undertook intense spiritual practices, restraining his senses and sustaining himself on the barest of fare. For two thousand years, Ambarisha lived consuming only leaves, and for another three thousand years, he subsisted solely on air. Thus, ten thousand years passed in unwavering austerity. At the culmination of his penance, Ambarisha assumed the radiant form of the lord of the gods and mounted the mighty elephant Airavata. As this wondrous vision unfolded, the king was approached by a divine being who declared, “Seeing your devotion, I have come to you without doubt.” Ambarisha, recognizing the visitor as the slayer of Vritra and the lord of the gods, humbly responded, “You are unable to grant liberation, O lord of the gods. I welcome you, but I do not desire any boon from you. The four-armed one—Vishnu—pleased with my devotion, will surely grant me what I seek.” The celestial visitor then proclaimed, “O foremost of kings, I am the lord of Brahma, Vishnu, and the three-eyed one, as well as the sovereign of all other gods and the three worlds. When I am pleased, all the gods are pleased. O slayer of Vritra, I am the king of the earth with its seven continents. Know me, dear one, to be a true devotee of Hrishikesha; this is certain. Yet, with firm resolve, I will hurl my thunderbolt at you for your destruction.” Having spoken thus, the thousand-eyed one—Indra—licked his lips in anticipation, and as he whirled about, dire omens appeared. The sky filled with ominous clouds that shook the very earth. Amidst these portents, the king, beloved of Hari, stood resolute. At that very moment, the Lord of the universe, pleased by Ambarisha’s devotion, appeared directly before him. Hrishikesha addressed the king in a voice deep as thunderclouds: “Choose a boon, O fortunate one, even if it is most difficult to obtain.” Ambarisha replied, “If you are pleased with me, O Lord, and wish to grant me a boon, bestow upon me the vast knowledge of yoga—the means to destroy worldly existence. Grant me that yoga, by which, once attained, a person is immediately freed from the cycle of birth and death. O God, this knowledge is difficult for people to understand, especially in the Kali age. And if you are truly pleased, reveal to me the yoga of action as well.” Then, Keśava—the Lord—graciously instructed the best of kings, imparting the teachings as was fitting. Filled with joy upon hearing these words, Ambarisha spoke again: “O Lord of the gods, may you always be present in my hermitage.” With this wish, Ambarisha began to worship a single image of the Lord, following the prescribed methods. He offered fragrant substances, flowers, and ointments in his devotion. In time, the Blessed Lord took up residence in the temple of Vishnu at that very spot. Even today, O King, the Blessed Vishnu abides there, upholding the truthful words of Ambarisha. From that moment onward, the practice of ritual action—karma—began on earth. Whoever worships Hrishikesha with devotion in the city of Nṛpārbuda, and whoever keeps vigil on the sacred night of Ekadashi, will attain the supreme abode, a realm difficult even for the gods to reach. And the merit obtained by giving a Kapila cow at Jyestha Pushkara during the month of Kartika is celebrated as unparalleled.