Nevertheless, the four-armed Lord, if pleased, will surely grant me a boon, thought the speaker with confidence. He then declared to the foremost of kings, “I am the lord who presides over Brahma, Vishnu, and the three-eyed Shiva. I am also the sovereign of all the other gods and of the three worlds. When I am pleased, O king, every god is pleased as well. O slayer of Vṛtra, know that I am the king of the earth with its seven continents. Yet, dear one, understand this for certain: I am a true devotee of Hṛṣīkeśa.” With unwavering resolve, he proclaimed, “I will hurl the thunderbolt at you for your destruction.” Having spoken thus, the thousand-eyed Indra licked his lips with anticipation. As he whirled about in fury, great and terrible omens began to manifest. The sky was suddenly covered with clouds that shook the very earth. At that very moment, the king, beloved of Hari, stood firm and present. Then, pleased by the king’s devotion, the Lord of the universe Himself appeared directly before him. Hṛṣīkeśa addressed the king in a voice as deep and resonant as thunderclouds, saying, “Choose a boon, O fortunate one, even if it is exceedingly difficult to obtain.” King Ambarīṣa replied humbly, “If you are truly pleased, Lord, and wish to grant me a boon, then bestow upon me the vast knowledge of yoga—the means by which worldly existence is destroyed. Grant me that wisdom, O king, 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 age of Kali. And if you are truly pleased, teach me also the yoga of action.” Keśava, the Lord, then spoke to the best of kings, explaining the sacred teachings as was appropriate. Hearing these divine instructions, Ambarīṣa, his heart filled with joy, spoke again: “O Lord of the gods, may you always be present in my hermitage. Therefore, I worship a single image of you, following the prescribed method.” He worshipped the image of the Lord with fragrant substances, fresh flowers, and sacred ointments. In this way, after a long time, the Blessed Lord took up residence in the temple of Vishnu. Even today, O king, the Blessed Vishnu abides by the truthful words of King Ambarīṣa. From that time onward, O great king, the practice of ritual action began upon the earth. Whoever worships Hrishikesha with devotion in the city of Nṛpārbuda, and whoever keeps vigil throughout the night of Ekadashi, will attain the supreme abode—a realm difficult even for the gods to reach. The merit gained by gifting a Kapila cow at Jyestha Pushkara during the month of Kartika, whether on the bright or dark fortnight, when the day of Hari arrives—none of these compare. Therefore, with all effort, one should worship according to the prescribed method, for whoever worships Hrishikesha will not be born again. Consider, O best of kings: One person may perform all the sacred pilgrimages, another may give every kind of gift to the Brahmins, another may give away a thousand maidens in marriage as prescribed, another may give the highest gift at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse, another may perform great sacrifices like the Agnistoma with proper offerings, another may journey to the Himalayas and abandon his body there, another may give up his life at the holy place of Sutirtha by the descent of Bhrigu, and yet another may fast unto death. But above all, the worship of Hrishikesha with true devotion surpasses all these acts, granting the highest good and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.