In the ancient age known as Tatpuruṣa, when the wise and learned ones of the Veda flourished, the Creator—Brahmā—set about fashioning the universe. Along with the creation of the worlds, he also brought forth the mighty Daityas and Dānavas. It was a time marked by ceaseless rivalry and strife: the gods and the Dānavas were constantly at odds, clashing in fierce battles. Even the Cāraṇas and the Kinnaras, celestial beings of song and beauty, were caught up in mutual enmity. Among men, too, both the strong and the weak found themselves embroiled in conflict. Thus, through the struggles of each against the other, the world seemed to lose all boundaries, its divisions blurred by endless contention. In the midst of this turmoil, I seek refuge in the god Hari, Viṣṇu, the compassionate remover of distress for those who surrender to him. At that time, Hari—the great yogi who bears the form of the entire universe—became the object of deep meditation. Brahmā, the Creator, was instructed: “Meditate upon me properly, with the yoga of meditation, and you shall see me.” Obedient to this command, Brahmā ceased his own meditation and beheld the divine form of Hari. With reverence, Brahmā offered water for washing the feet and for sipping, as well as a honey-offering, to Keśava. He spoke, “O Viṣṇu, except by your power, this world cannot endure. You are the ruler of this pure universe—there is no other. The gods, demons, gandharvas, yakṣas, and rākṣasas all destroy one another, yet you alone have the power to protect them. You are always the sustaining principle of this universe, both moving and unmoving, the very soul within all living beings. All the world is upheld by you; thus, you are called Upendra. Today, you inhabit this universe, and the abode of the Creator is indeed Vāsudeva. Because the world depends upon your army, you are remembered as Viśvasena. The three worlds have been conquered by you, O god; since even the Creator is conquered by you, you are Jiṣṇu, the victorious. You are the king of all, from the very beginning of existence; may your auspicious and unrivaled throne endure forever. You bear the discus named Sudarśana; thus, poets sing of you as the wielder of the discus. May there be steeds and mighty elephants for your destruction of enemies, O Hṛṣīkeśa. Be adorned with wondrous garments and excellent red garlands; become Bhīmasena, the mighty one. May true devotion to you arise here, as it does for the devotees of Mukunda. Therefore, please be gracious to me. O Creator, show me that divine circle, and the ever-liberated Sadāśiva, O Lord. Let the place where I establish the world be firm.” With these words, Brahmā took a handful of sacred grass. Ascending to a higher ground, the Grandfather—Brahmā—respectfully addressed Keśava, saying, “You alone are Viṣṇu, always worshipped by the gods, remembered by the sages, and famed as Viṣṭaraśravā.” There, established on the sacred grass, the Supreme Person was thus praised by the Creator. Then, the Creator, the Supreme Person himself, marked out a circuit measuring a yojana on all sides, consecrating the place. There, the Lord of the universe, glorious and all-pervading, the creator and sustainer of all, became manifest. That place, which was formerly known as Kuśasthalī, is now called Hemaśṛṅga. Thus concludes the forty-first chapter, named “The Description of the Reason for the Name Kuśasthalī,” as recounted in the dialogue between Vyāsa and Sanatkumāra, in the section on the greatness of the Avanti region, in the fifth Avanti Khaṇḍa of the Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Now, listen further. In times past, when the armies of the demons defeated the gods, the deities fled and took refuge on the lofty summit of Mount Meru, covered with forests and hidden caves. There, meeting one another, the gods exchanged worship and shared the reasons for their gathering in that sacred place. United in their purpose, they went together to the god of gods, the great Lord Maheśvara, who is ever the bestower of prosperity and success, and who is always attended by sages and celestial bards. Among these sages were Bhārgava and others, as well as the foremost of divine sages, Nārada.