When Bali, filled with pride, spoke words of contempt for the divine realm of Vaikuṇṭha, one among those present rebuked him sharply, exclaiming, “Shame! Shame!” He could scarcely believe that Bali’s tongue had not fallen out for daring to revile Hari, the Lord. “O wicked-minded one,” he said, “you reproach Viṣṇu, who is the teacher of the three worlds. You, harsh one, were born as a son who shows no respect for the gods. There is no one dearer to me than Janārdana—how could you speak ill of the god who is the lord of all lords? Even for me, the blessed Lord Hari, the guru of the world, is worthy of worship. Yet you, sinner, revile the one who should be worshipped—how is it that you have not fallen down at once? You, harsh king, are a reviler of Vāsudeva among your people. Therefore, behaving so sinfully, you shall lose your kingdom. By your mind, by your deeds, and by your words, you will be cast down from your kingdom. In all the fourteen worlds, you will be deprived of sovereignty. I wish to see you thus, stripped of your kingdom.” Hearing these words, Bali descended from his seat. With hands joined in reverence, he approached the speaker and addressed him, “O Brahman, even when children have made mistakes, elders forgive them. I do not fear others, nor do I fear the loss of my kingdom. But because I have offended you, my suffering is even greater. Elders always forgive the faults of children, even those among the demons who approach them with humility.” After reflecting deeply on Bali’s humble words, marveling at his grandson’s attitude, the elder spoke sweetly to him. “O mighty-armed one, I am the seventh in your line by whom the all-pervading Viṣṇu is known. When pride enters the heart, it clouds discernment. Yet, the results destined to be will never fail to come to pass. In times of gain and loss, the wise do not fall into despair. O king of demons, a man should endure both happiness and sorrow as they come. Even when vast prosperity is attained, one should not become unsteady. The steadfast are always supreme among men in their actions. You ought to act; the learned do not fall into despair. After hearing this from me and from others, act accordingly. He—Janārdana—will be your protector from this fear, O lord of demons. For those who have fallen into the pit of worldly existence, there is no support; just as men afflicted by fever find no comfort on earth. Janārdana will surely provide you with the highest good. Freed from sin, I will then go to the abode of Acyuta, the lord of the worlds, Nṛsiṃha.” Having addressed all the leaders of the demon hosts, the elder set out to undertake a pilgrimage to the sacred fords. At this point, a listener asked, “You ought to fully recount to me the pilgrimage of Prahlāda. The pilgrimage of Prahlāda, which bestows pure merit, is yours to tell.” Thus the story continued: Prahlāda’s pilgrimage is renowned on earth as auspicious. He went first to Mānasa, the sacred place where the Lord of the gods manifested as a fish. There, having worshipped Acyuta, the Lord of the universe, who is accompanied by the Vedas, he journeyed to see the Kacchapa—the Tortoise incarnation—at Kauśikī, a place known to destroy sins. After fasting and purifying himself, Prahlāda gave gifts to the Brāhmaṇas. There, after bathing in the divine lake and offering oblations to the ancestors and the gods, he continued on his path of devotion and righteousness.