Confused and distraught, the demon Mura wandered, repeatedly crying out, “How? Where? Whose?” His mind was utterly deranged as he struck out blindly in his bewilderment. In this state, the gods, seizing their chance, cut him down. Freed from their great distress, they praised Padmanābha, the supreme Lord. From that day forward, the mighty Nṛsiṃha became renowned as the slayer of Mura. With gratitude and reverence, the gods bowed before the Lord—the very cause of the universe’s agitation—and addressed Him. The Lord, ever-wise and all-knowing, would remain while the entire world, moving and unmoving, trembled in disturbance. Yet, in that place, neither the god, nor the bull, nor the goddess, nor Nandin could be seen by the gods—their vision clouded and deluded. Then Viṣṇu, radiant with great brilliance, sprinkled the gods, seeking to restore their sight. The gods, still unable to perceive, lamented, “We do not see the Lord of the gods, the husband of Girijā.” The embodiment of the universe responded, “You have offended the god. Because of this, discernment has been withdrawn from you by the god with the trident.” The Lord instructed them: “To purify your bodies and regain your divine sight, you must bathe with reverence. Perform a sacred bath with milk, using a hundred pots. Sixteen pots of pure pañcagavya are also prescribed. Then, offer one hundred and eight measures of rocanā for the god, along with bilva leaves, lotuses, datura flowers, and divine sandalwood. Prepare incense of aguru, combined with kāleya and sandalwood. Only when you perform these rites will you behold the Lord of the gods—there is no other way.” He explained that by this practice, bodily purity is attained and endures at all times. For three days, they were to drink warm ghee, or, if able, subsist on air alone. Each day, six palas of ghee were to be consumed. Following these instructions, the gods, led by Indra, undertook this secret, heated penance. Freed from their sins, the gods approached Lord Vāsudeva, the Lord of the gods, and asked, “By this prescribed rite, whom are we to bathe with milk and other substances? Why do we not perceive the yogic powers established here in your body? Speak truly, O Lord of the gods—where does the great Lord abide?” Murāri then revealed to the gods the divine liṅga of sovereignty. They joyfully bathed the eternal, unchanging, imperishable liṅga, offering bilva leaves and lotuses in worship, their hearts full of devotion. They recited the eight hundred names of the Lord and offered their salutations. Wondering at the mystery, they asked, “How did those beings, born of darkness and ignorance, attain such yogic power?” The Lord revealed Himself as one endowed with all marks, bearing every weapon, imperishable. He was adorned with a garland, serpent ornaments upon His chest, and a yellow deer skin at His waist. O great sage, at that moment, the air resounded with the sounds of kaparda shells, clubs, skulls, bells, and conch shells. After speaking, the lotus-seated one and the others bowed, each fixing their minds in one direction. Seizing the liṅga, the Lord swiftly made His way toward Kurukshetra, His own hermitage. Seeing Him, all the gods called out, “Salutations, O Sthanu,” and sat together in reverence. They pleaded, “O Lord of the universe, the world is disturbed; arise, beloved guest.” Hearing their words, the all-pervading, stainless one rose at once. Accompanied by the gods and Indra, all bowing humbly, He arrived. The three worlds, enveloped by His great vow, were agitated, awaiting the Lord’s calming presence.