O revered one, not only has your own realm been seized by that powerful being, but even the radiant sun itself has grown faint under the might of Bali. Such is his strength that all are subdued—none have been spared. Yet, except for Hari, the Supreme Lord with a thousand heads and ten hundred feet, none can reclaim from Bali what truly belongs within the realm of righteousness. When Indra and the other gods, dispirited and bereft, saw their fortunes lost, Hari himself set forth, journeying to the sacred Vibhitaka grove. There, a profound transformation took place: righteousness, once diminished, became firmly established on all four feet, flourishing among the four castes, O Narada. Compassion, charity, kindness, selfless service, and sacrificial acts prevailed everywhere. Still, Bali’s power was such that even the strong Brahman, the very essence of spiritual might, was repeatedly subdued by him. Yet, the foremost among men, ever devoted to the protection of their people and the ways of righteousness, stood firm. And now, the fortune of the three worlds—the very bestower of boons—has come to you, O lord of the Daityas. At that moment, a noble lady approached and inquired, “Who are you? Tell me your purpose. Why have you come here?” She declared, “O Bali, listen: compelled by force and circumstance, I have come to you as a queen. Maghavan, the mighty Indra, has abandoned me; thus, I now seek refuge with you.” In that gathering appeared four radiant women, each adorned in garments of a different hue. One was clad in pure white, garlanded and anointed with white, another was dressed in red from head to toe, a third shone in yellow, golden in hue, and the fourth was enveloped in deep blue, with matching garlands and ointments. The one in white, pure and virtuous, was seated upon an elephant. The red-garbed, passionate one rode a swift horse. The auspicious lady in yellow, radiant as gold, was seated in a splendid chariot. The fourth, cloaked in blue, was mounted upon a bull. The Brahmins and the learned recognized the white-robed one as Sarasvati, goddess of wisdom and speech. The Kshatriyas declared the red-hued lady to be Jayashri, the embodiment of victory and glory. The Vaishyas revered the golden, yellow-garbed goddess as their own, while the Shudras, with great devotion, praised the blue-hued one. Thus did the Lord who wields the discus distinguish these divine forms. The histories, ancient tales, the Vedas with all their branches, and the sacred instructions—all these, along with pearls, gold, silver, chariots, horses, elephants, ornaments, cows, buffaloes, donkeys, camels, lands of gold and fine garments—have but one origin among all the various classes of beings. These treasures and virtues arise among the noble, and their nature is thus revealed. In the forest of gifts, those who seek the great lotus are found—these are the people known for their universal contentment. Those devoted to the lotus are ever satisfied, while those who turn to the great blue lotus are associated with both just and unjust expenditures. But those who resort to the conch, O mighty one, are engaged in theft and false speech. Thus, the rules regarding the giving of gifts have been explained to you. O lord of the forest of gifts, I have taken a vow, one approved by the virtuous and the wise. Indeed, in all the three worlds, there is no one equal to you or greater in strength. By your valor in battle, you have conquered even the king of the gods. Witnessing your supreme courage, which surpasses the strength of all, all beings stand in awe of you.