When Dakṣa was granted a boon by Brahmā, who regarded him with great affection, a fierce conflict soon erupted between the gods and the asuras. In response to this turmoil, Indra—the mighty wielder of a hundred sacrifices—undertook severe austerities, standing resolute on one foot. Observing the king of the gods in such intense penance, Bṛhaspati approached and spoke words of counsel: “Dwelling alone in the forest, you will not be able to overcome your enemies.” Bṛhaspati reminded Indra of the Pārijāta, the celestial tree that had arisen for the sake of worship and had been given by Brahmā himself. “By worshipping those two,” he said, “the destruction of your enemies will surely come through their grace.” Heeding this advice, Indra quickly went to the place where Dakṣa, the lord of all creatures, was being worshipped in effigy by Śakra for a full hundred years, O Vyāsa. By this deep devotion, Indra greatly pleased the gods—know this, O Vāsava. With his mind satisfied after this long penance, Śakra was granted the opportunity to choose a boon, O best of the twice-born. He declared his wish: “Let all of them meet their destruction—this is the boon I desire.” The deities responded, “So be it,” and departed for heaven from the effigy. These effigies, O Pārtha, were also worshipped by the great-souled Śaṃkara. For a day of Brahmā, they were honored with intensely red, hundred-petaled lotuses. For thousands of years, blue lotuses—fragrant and beautiful—were offered in their worship. Lotuses and auspicious red water-lilies were used in this sacred adoration. It was said that if deprived of these two, even heaven would become as desolate as death. At one point, Indra humbly said, “O Lord, I have no desire for this boon.” He was then instructed, “Take these, O hero, and establish them at Kuśasthalī. Wherever they are installed, all sins will be destroyed; pilgrimage during Āṣāḍhī and Kaumudī will become supremely auspicious. I shall come there, accompanied by the hosts of Apsarases. When the mass of clouds arises, I shall cause rain to fall there.” Having bowed to the Sun—the Lord worshipped by Brahmā and the other gods—Indra, O Vyāsa, gave the two images to Pārtha. Meanwhile, in Dvārakā, Nārada, wishing to invite Krishna, approached the chief of Brahmins and proclaimed, “Come, Krishna, to Kuśasthalī.” Then, O Pāṇḍava, Indra also bestowed these sacred images upon you. He descended from the sky and embraced the Pāṇḍava, saying, “My birth has become fruitful; joy has arisen in me, O Arjuna.” Having thus spoken, Vyāsa, both of them journeyed to Kuśasthalī. “Go, Arjuna, to the eastern direction and install one image,” said Vyāsa. “I too shall go north, O sage, to establish the other image at the river.” Following this plan, Pārtha went east and discovered an auspicious place. “I shall install the Sun god, while Pāṇḍava meditates,” he declared. He then narrated to Pārtha the story of that unbearable brilliance. Unable to withstand the radiance, Arjuna appealed to the deity: “O protector of cows, be gentle in form and beautiful to behold for the people. Let the mortals on earth be purified by your sight.” In response, with his right hand, the deity granted fearlessness through the gesture of protection. By the radiance of the deity, his own brilliance was revealed for all to see.