Vishnu, the Supreme Lord, lay in serene repose upon the endless ocean of milk, resting gracefully on the great serpent Shesha. Around him, Narada and other eminent sages gathered, their voices rising in melodious praise, celebrating his divine glory. The waves of the milk ocean surged gently against him, leaving drops upon his radiant garment. Clad in brilliant yellow, Vishnu shone with a joyful expression, his form resplendent with an inner, effulgent light. He appeared, in his splendor, like a string of clear, lustrous jewels, dwelling in the sacred White Island. His presence was as wondrous as the sun god Mitra returning after the shadow of Rahu has passed, bringing marvel and relief. It seemed as if he was contemplating the supreme creation wrought by the Four-Faced Brahma. At that auspicious moment, Śaṃbhu—Lord Shiva—arrived, accompanied by the hosts of gods. All of them bowed in reverence before Hari, the remover of profound delusion, whose cool, moon-like radiance brought peace to their hearts. They offered salutations to the radiant jewel-flame of consciousness, the gentle moonlight that unites the mind, to the vibrant, playful power that pervades the three worlds. They honored those who dwell at the tips of lotus petals, swayed by the wind, and offered salutations to the sun-like essence, adorned with rays of pure consciousness. To him, the restrainer and ever-present refuge of yogis, they bowed. They revered the Lord who is the very sacrifice, who consumes the offerings, and is embodied as the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas. To the peaceful one, the repository of dharma, the knower of the field, whose essence is immortality; to the fierce master of māyā, the thousand-headed one, they gave their salutations. They honored the one whose essence is yogic sleep, the creator of the world that arises from the lotus of his navel. To him who is both the object and the measure of all action, the mighty living being, the supreme self, they bowed. They praised the proud, lion-bodied destroyer of demons, the one who cuts through the great darkness of ignorance and is the cause of worldly existence. To the peaceful giver of liberation, who bestows the tranquil, wave-less state, they offered their salutations. His form was dark as the petal of a blue lotus, with shimmering filaments in motion, enchanting to behold. With a gaze full of compassion, Vishnu showered nectar upon all the gods, blessing them with his grace. Yet, the place was still marked by the valor of the daityas—demons intoxicated by battle—where the strong had subdued the weak, only to be overcome by others in turn. Vishnu then spoke, “I will go to the city of Ayodhya and undertake the highest austerity. You all, too, should perform intense austerities with pure minds.” Having spoken these words, the Lord who rides Garuda vanished from the sight of the gods. When he became hidden, for the increase of divine power among the gods, something that had fallen from the palm of his hand before Hari’s arrival remained. It was said that by merely seeing those two—whatever they were—one would be freed from all sins. Having conquered all the demons in battle, Vishnu then attained his own abode. Afterwards, all the gods, led by Brihaspati, quickly assembled, eager to see Hari, and journeyed to Ayodhya. Upon arriving and hearing of his many virtues and the reverence he inspired, they fixed their minds solely on Hari, absorbed in meditation. Seeing the gods arrive and bow with devotion at his feet, Vishnu spoke: “Now, O gods, I will fulfill whichever wish you desire.” The gods replied, “O Lord, God of gods, you have already accomplished everything for us. Yet, O mighty one, you must always be present, forever. In this way, the destruction of the enemy’s faction must always be carried out.” Vishnu replied, “O gods, I will always bring about the increase of splendor for the illustrious.” Thus, the Lord assured the gods of his perpetual protection and the continued triumph of righteousness.