Salutations were offered to that playful, exuberant power which pervades the three worlds, to those beings who dwell at the very tips of lotus petals swayed gently by the wind. Homage was given to the one whose very essence is the sun, radiant with the rays of consciousness, and to him who restrains and protects, ever the refuge of yogis. Reverence was paid to the embodiment of sacrifice, who consumes the offerings and manifests as the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas. To the peaceful one, the very repository of dharma and knower of the field, whose nature is immortality, and yet who is also fierce, the master of māyā, thousand-headed—salutations were made. Praise was given to the one whose essence is yogic sleep, the creator of the world that blossomed from the lotus at his navel. He is the object and measure of all action, the mighty, the living being, the supreme self. He is the proud one, lion-bodied and destroyer of demons, who cuts through the great darkness of ignorance, the very cause of worldly existence. He is the peaceful one, bestower of the tranquil, wave-less state of liberation. His complexion is dark as the petal of a blue lotus, with shimmering filaments in motion. From his compassionate gaze, he showered nectar upon all the gods. The place had been seized by the valor of the daityas, those intoxicated by battle; the strong had subdued the weak, only to be overcome in turn by others. Then, Hari declared, “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 thus, the god who rides upon Garuda vanished from the sight of the assembled gods. When Hari became concealed, O wise one, it was for the increase of divine power among the gods. At that very place, before Hari’s arrival, something had fallen from the palm of his hand, and merely by seeing those two objects, one is freed from all sins. Having conquered all the demons in battle, he then returned to his own abode. Soon, all the gods, led by Brihaspati, quickly assembled, eager to see Hari, and came to Ayodhya. Upon arriving and hearing of his various virtues and the reverence shown to him, they fixed their minds solely on Hari, established in deep meditation. Seeing those who had come and bowed with devotion at his feet, Hari spoke: “Now, O gods, I will fulfill whichever wish you desire.” The gods replied, “O Lord, God of gods, you have now 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 ensured.” Hari responded, “O gods, I will always bring about the increase of splendor for the illustrious. This god, known as Guptahari, is renowned throughout the worlds.” He continued, “Here, whoever among living beings is foremost in worship, sacrifice, recitation, and the like, and whoever gives charity according to their ability, having mastered their senses, here, for my satisfaction, the gods are worshipped by those who desire righteousness. A cow with golden horns, silver hooves, covered with two garments, with a jeweled tail, yielding milk, adorned with bell ornaments, should be given to a twice-born who knows the Vedas, who possesses virtue, and whose soul is pure. A cow should be given to a brāhmaṇa; one thereby enjoys happiness everywhere. For my satisfaction, it should be given here with an inner self that is pure. And those who, purified by bathing, here with devotion to me…” Thus, the story unfolds, filled with reverence for Hari, the supreme protector and benefactor of gods and righteous beings alike.