Contemplating deeply within himself, the valiant ascetic resolved to undertake rigorous austerities. With firm determination, he stood in the searing heat of summer, surrounded by five blazing fires, performing the most severe penance. Following all the prescribed rites, he bathed and then worshipped Lord Vishnu as instructed by tradition. With unwavering focus, he fixed his mind upon Vishnu, mastering his breath as required by the discipline of yoga. Within his meditation, he visualized the sacred circles of the sun, the moon, and fire, just as the scriptures prescribe. He beheld Vishnu in his mind’s eye: adorned in yellow garments, holding the conch, discus, and mace. Contemplating Hari in the form of Brahma, he recited the revered twelve-syllable mantra. Thus absorbed, the excellent Brahmin composed a hymn of praise for Hari. With steadfast devotion, Vishnuśarma worshipped Nārāyaṇa, his heart unwavering. He prayed fervently, “Be gracious, Lord of gods; be gracious, lotus-eyed one. Victory to Krishna, victory to the inconceivable one, victory to Vishnu, victory to the imperishable! Victory to the remover of sin, victory to the one who dispels the fever of birth. Salutations to the lord of all, to the lord of beings, salutations to the slayer of Kaitabha. Salutations to the god of gods, salutations indeed to Nārāyaṇa. You are the mother of all worlds; you alone are the father of the universe. You are the offering, you are the utterance ‘vaṣaṭ’, you are the master, you are the fire of sacrifice. O Mādhava, bearer of the conch, discus, and mace, uplift me. Be gracious, O bearer of Mandara; be gracious, O slayer of Madhu.” Moved by this profound devotion, Vishnu, the soul of the universe, appeared before him, riding upon Garuda. He manifested as Achyuta, resplendent in yellow garments, holding the conch, discus, and mace. The Lord spoke, “O wise one, by this hymn your sins are now destroyed. Choose a boon, O foremost of Brahmins; I stand before you as the grantor of boons.” Vishnuśarma replied with humility, “O Lord of the universe, grant me unwavering and exclusive devotion to you.” The Blessed Lord smiled and said, “You indeed possess unwavering devotion to me, that Vaishnavi devotion which bestows liberation. O highly fortunate one, this place will become renowned by your name.” Then, from the realm of the netherworld, he revealed the sacred water of the Ganga. With that pure water, the ocean of compassion himself performed ablutions. From that time onward, O twice-born, this holy place became known as Cakra-tirtha. By bathing there and giving gifts, a person attains the world of Vishnu. The Blessed Lord again addressed Vishnuśarma, declaring, “Vishnuhari, renowned as the bestower of liberation to devotees, is established here.” He installed an image bearing his own name, that of the Discus-wielder. From that time, O lord of Brahmins, the bearer of conch, discus, and mace decreed: beginning from the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, by bathing at Cakra-tirtha, a person is freed from all sins. Whoever offers rice-balls there for the sake of his ancestors, having bathed and seen Vishnuhari, the Lord, and gives gifts according to his ability, becomes free from all blemish. At any other time as well, if a man who has conquered his senses bathes at Cakra-tirtha, he is purified. Thus, Hari, the ocean of all virtues, the contemplative form, the very consciousness-self, stood there in his supreme form for the sake of granting liberation. And again, O best of the twice-born, Lord Hari, Vishnu, spoke.