At that very moment, King Ambarīṣa, beloved of Lord Hari, was present. Pleased with the king, the Lord of the universe Himself appeared before him, manifesting in all His glory. With a voice as deep and resonant as thunderclouds, Hṛṣīkeśa addressed the king, saying, “Choose a boon, O fortunate one, even if it is something extremely difficult to obtain.” With humility and devotion, Ambarīṣa replied, “If You are truly pleased with me, Lord, and wish to grant me a boon, then bless me with the vast knowledge of yoga—the means by which one can destroy the bondage of worldly existence. Grant me that wisdom, O Lord, which, when attained, immediately frees a person from the cycle of birth and death. O God, this knowledge is difficult for people to comprehend, especially in the age of Kali. And if You are truly pleased, please also instruct me in the yoga of action.” Hearing these sincere words, Keśava spoke to the best of kings, explaining the principles of yoga and action as was appropriate. Ambarīṣa listened with a gladdened heart, and, filled with gratitude, said, “O Lord of the gods, may You always be present in my hermitage.” In devotion, he worshipped a single image of the Lord, following the prescribed methods, and offered fragrant substances, fresh flowers, and ointments in his daily worship. In the course of time, the Blessed Lord Himself chose to reside in the temple of Vishnu, sanctifying it with His presence. Even today, O King, the Blessed Vishnu abides there, honoring the truthful words of King Ambarīṣa. From that time onward, the practice of ritual worship began to spread upon the earth. Whoever worships Hṛṣīkeśa 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. The merit gained by giving a Kapila cow at Jyestha Pushkara during the month of Kartika, on either the bright or dark fortnight, when the day of Hari arrives, is immense. Therefore, one should worship with all effort, following the prescribed methods, for whoever worships Hṛṣīkeśa will not be born again. Consider, O best of kings: one person may perform all the sacred pilgrimages; another may give all manner of gifts to Brahmins; another may give a thousand maidens in marriage according to the scriptures; someone else may offer the highest gifts at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse; or perform great sacrifices like Agnistoma, complete with all proper offerings. Some may journey to the Himalayas and abandon their bodies there, or renounce their lives at the holy Sutirtha, sanctified by Bhrigu’s descent. Others may fast unto death, or eloquently speak of the knowledge of Brahman after having heard and understood it. Some may perform ancestral rites at Gaya during the sacred fortnight for ancestors; others may undertake a thousand Cāndrāyaṇa vows with focused minds, or perfectly observe vows and austerities for a thousand years. Some Brahmins may recite the four Vedas thoroughly. But why speak at length? Hear this, O king: above all, one should remain with all effort in the presence of Hari. On one side stands Hṛṣīkeśa, and on the other, Karṇikeśvara. Even those who have committed great sins attain the presence of Hari. Whoever offers even a single flower to Hṛṣīkeśa, O king, receives His grace. Thus, the path of devotion and worship to the Lord, as established by Ambarīṣa and blessed by Hṛṣīkeśa Himself, remains the highest and most accessible means to liberation, surpassing even the greatest of worldly and spiritual deeds.