Salutations were offered with deep reverence: “O witness of all, creator of the hearts of every being, we bow to you. O divine laughter, source of nectar, we offer our salutations. O fulfiller of desires, bestower of all boons, our obeisance to you. Salutations to the gracious one, the restrained one, the very embodiment of peace.” Thus did the serpents extol the blessed Lord, the one who bears the bull-banner, and their devotion pleased him greatly. The Lord spoke: “Long ago, I would often come to the world of serpents, seeking alms. Driven by hunger, I wandered from house to house in the city of Bhogavati, hoping for sustenance. Even when I found nothing, I would return again, still seeking. By some merit, in the most excellent Mahakala forest, I was seen by all—young and old, with their women—at the holy river Shipra. The merit that arises from bathing in the Shipra cannot be described in words. All the foremost serpents performed their ablutions there. “Take the sacred waters of Shipra and pour them into your pools. Then your pools will become full and enduring, O best of serpents.” Having bowed to Maheshvara, the serpents returned to their own world. O Vyasa, know that Shipra, born of nectar, is famed in all the worlds. For those who honor her, there is no evil deed, no calamity, no misfortune. Neither do their friends suffer, nor are they afflicted by disease or poverty. By reciting or hearing this account, one attains the merit of a thousand cows. Indeed, by merely hearing it, one gains the fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice. Everywhere, Shipra is meritorious, pure, and a destroyer of sin. Nevertheless, Vyasa, listen as I recount in detail the ancient and auspicious origin of these events—a tale full of great merit. Long ago, there was born a mighty asura named Hiranyaksha, of immense strength. He brought the entire earth under his control and ruled over it. Having conquered all the worlds, including the gods led by Indra, he assumed dominion over all beings everywhere. The gods, deprived of their kingdoms and defeated, wandered like mortals cast down from power. In their distress, they approached and, after offering their respects, reported the deeds of the daitya. By his power, the hosts of gods were nearly destroyed in that very instant, and he consumed all the shares of the sacrifices, each one separately. Seeing the gods in such distress, their grandsire Brahma became troubled. Brahma addressed them: “Hear me, O best of gods, all of you gathered here with focused minds. There are only two attendants, both restrained, both bearing the form of Vishnu.” Once, O best of sages, the mind-born sons of Brahma—the greatly fortunate Sanaka and his brothers—were eager for a vision of the Blessed Lord. At that time, Vyasa, these young sages became bewildered and deeply distressed. Suddenly, Vishnu beheld the sorrowful sages upon the earth. He approached, smelled their heads, embraced them with his arms, and spoke gently: “Children, most learned in righteousness, tell me the whole reason for your sorrow.” The sages replied: “Hear now how we came to this state of the cosmic egg.” Thus, these four brothers, wanderers of the worlds, arrived.