Indra, the lord of the gods, beheld Brahmā, Kaśyapa, and all the great ascetics, radiant from their austerities. With humility, he addressed the Grandfather, Brahmā: “O Grandfather, Bali, the mighty asura, has taken my kingdom from me.” Śakra—another name for Indra—then asked, “O lord, tell me, what wrong have I committed?” Brahmā replied, reminding Indra, “From Diti’s womb, by your own hand, the embryo was forcefully divided into many parts.” Indra protested, “But she was impure at that time, and that was the reason.” Brahmā continued, “Even her servant was slain by your thunderbolt, O lord.” Indra bowed his head and pleaded, “Tell me, O mighty one, what is the expiation for my sin and for this destruction? What will be beneficial for all the worlds, and especially for me, Śakra?” Brahmā counseled him, “Take refuge in Him—the Supreme Lord—who will bestow welfare upon you.” The assembled gods then spoke to Indra: “Among mortals, in a short time, there is great prosperity.” In this way, Indra, the son of Mitra and Varuṇa, swiftly descended to the earth’s surface and stood firm, coming from the east of that ancient, excellent place and standing to the west of Vasu’s city. It was said that a man of intelligence, one who has performed a hundred and a thousand sacrifices, and a king who has completed a thousand horse sacrifices, all attained fame as ‘the wielder of the mace,’ like a sharp axe to the sturdy tree of sin. By the grace of the Blessed Lord, people receive the endless rewards of the great sacrificial rite. Indra brought about the supreme destruction of the world’s sins through acts of seeing, tasting, and anointing. He established an ashram for the worship of the Supreme God and remained there, devoted. Indra, the thousand-eyed, undertook severe austerities, praising the god who wields the mace. A year passed for Indra, free from desire and anger. At the end of his penance, the Lord addressed him: “Go now; I am pleased with you. You are freed from sin. I shall strive, O Śakra, so that the future good may be as you desire.” After the god had bathed, the men gathered and said to him, “Instruct us, O Lord, regarding the expiation for this sin.” The Lord replied, “Dwell only in the region between the two blessed mountains, the Himālaya and Kaliñjara, O Pulindas.” Having been worshipped, the god approached his mother, the abode of righteousness, worthy of all praise. He bowed at her feet, which were as lovely as the inside of a lotus, and reported his austerities. He also recounted his victory in battle, achieved by his own strength, together with the hosts of gods. Yet sorrow afflicted his mother, and she approached Viṣṇu, the ancient and praiseworthy Lord, seeking refuge. She worshipped the eternal source of all that moves and does not move. Without expectation, with restrained speech and pure conduct, she approached the Lord of the gods, seeking shelter. She prayed: “Conquer, O fire born of sin’s fuel, who blocks the mass of darkness—salutations, salutations to you! You are the cause of all that moves and does not move; you are the Lord—O Form of the Universe, protect me. Having overcome the defeat of enemies, I have taken refuge in you.” She honored Him with oleander flowers, incense, and food fit for the Sun. Praising Him with a holy hymn, she stood fasting, engaged in worship. She gave gold and sesame-ghee to the twice-born, thus becoming pure before the Lord. Then the Lord emerged and appeared before her, saying: “By my grace, you will obtain that rare desire—there is no doubt. I will destroy the Dānavas, entering your womb.