To the one who bestows peace, the tranquil Lord who grants the wave-less state of liberation, the gathered gods turned their hearts. He appeared before them, his form dark as the petal of a blue lotus, with shimmering filaments alive with motion, radiating a gentle, awe-inspiring beauty. From his compassionate gaze, he showered nectar upon all the gods, soothing and uplifting them. The place where they stood had been seized by the fierce valor of the daityas, those intoxicated by the tumult of battle. In that realm, the strong had subdued the weak, yet had themselves been overcome by others in turn—a cycle of might and defeat. The Lord, perceiving the need for restoration, declared, “I will go to the city of Ayodhya and undertake the highest austerity.” He urged the gods as well: “You all, too, should perform intense austerities with pure minds.” Having spoken thus, said Agastya, the god who rides upon Garuda vanished from the sight of the gods. Concealed from their vision, he did so for the increase of divine power among them. At that very place, before Hari’s arrival, something precious had fallen from the palm of his hand. It was said that by merely beholding those two—Hari and that sacred object—one was freed from all sins. Having vanquished all the demons in battle, the Lord then attained his own abode. The gods, led by Brihaspati and eager to behold Hari, quickly assembled and came to Ayodhya. Arriving there, they heard of his many virtues and the reverence accorded to him, and so they fixed their minds solely on Hari, established in deep meditation. When they came before him, bowing with devotion at his feet, the Lord addressed them: “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 carried out.” The Lord assured them: “O gods, I will always bring about the increase of splendor for the illustrious.” He revealed that he, known as Guptahari, is renowned throughout the worlds. Here, he declared, whoever among living beings is foremost in worship, sacrifice, recitation, and the like—whoever gives charity according to their ability, having mastered their senses—here, for my satisfaction, the gods are worshipped by beings who desire righteousness. He described the highest form of charity: a cow with golden horns, silver hooves, covered with two garments, with a jeweled tail, yielding milk and adorned with bell ornaments—such a cow should be given to a twice-born who knows the Vedas, who possesses virtue, and whose soul is pure. Indeed, a cow should be given to a brāhmaṇa, for by this one enjoys happiness everywhere. For my satisfaction, it should be given here with a pure inner self. He continued, “Those who, purified by bathing, come here with devotion to me, and at the seat of Hari with the discus, offer the highest gift for my satisfaction—these are blessed.” He instructed, “You also, O best of the good, should undertake the pilgrimage here according to the injunction.” He described the sacred geography: “On the eastern side, from the cow’s ford, extending for three yojanas, here, after bathing according to the injunction, one should carefully behold this place. Even the gods, having performed the pilgrimage here with great care, have found it holy. From that time, O best of brāhmaṇas, this place became renowned upon the earth.” “There, at the confluence, after bathing, the Lord, the concealed Hari, should be worshipped; he grants all desired fruits. Likewise, the pilgrimage to Hari with the discus should be performed with great care. Thus, whoever undertakes this pilgrimage rejoices in the world of Viṣṇu.” At this, Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa spoke again, filled with wonder at all that had been revealed.