Janārdana, the compassionate Lord, is the one who grants the highest good to all beings. Freed from all sin, I shall then journey to the abode of Acyuta, the unwavering Lord of the worlds, where Nṛsiṃha, the divine protector, resides. After addressing all the leaders of the demon hosts, Prahlāda resolved to undertake a pilgrimage to the sacred fords, seeking merit and purification. "You must tell me in full about Prahlāda’s pilgrimage," came the earnest request, for this journey of Prahlāda is celebrated as supremely auspicious and grants pure merit to those who hear of it. Prahlāda’s pilgrimage is renowned on earth, especially for his visit to Mānasa, the holy place where the Lord of the gods once took the form of a fish. At that sacred site, Prahlāda worshipped the Lord of the universe, Acyuta, ever accompanied by the Vedas. From there, he traveled to Kauśikī to behold the Kacchapa, the divine Tortoise, destroyer of sins. Having fasted and purified himself, Prahlāda gave generous gifts to the Brāhmaṇas. He bathed in the divine lake, offered oblations to his ancestors and to the gods, and there, in that sanctified place, he beheld the Lord of the universe—Govinda, wielder of the discus. He saw Trivikrama, the Lord of gods and of all the worlds, whose mighty stride would one day bind Bali. A question arose: whom did Viṣṇu bind, and for what reason? When did this event occur, and whom did he deceive? The tale was told: born from the womb of a demoness, Bali was mighty and powerful. He sought invulnerability from the gods, including Indra, O Nārada, and, pleased with his devotion, that great one departed for heaven. Dhundhu, another mighty being, attained the station of Indra even while Hiraṇyakaśipu was still alive. He dwelt upon Mount Mandara, seeking refuge with the demon Dhundhu. Yet, even in the world of Brahma, the gods remained afflicted with suffering. The Daityas, determined, spoke: "Let us go, O Daityas, to our elder brother’s assembly, to conquer the gods and Indra. But by which path shall we reach the ancient seat of the Grandfather? The way is extremely difficult and the path beyond is hard to traverse. By the mere glance and direction of those whose sight is powerful, the Daityas and their allies are burned. Among us are the cow-mothers, whose very dust brings destruction here. Where the foremost Sādhyas stand, O Asura, their breath and wind are unbearable for us." "He whose abode is truthfully named, O blessed one, who grants boons—he indeed is your dwelling," they said, offering praise. "But those Asuras who are your equals in nature become diminished. The realm of Virāj, called Dhundhu, is always difficult for men to ascend. Desiring to go to the abode of Brahmā, he wished to conquer the lords." They wondered, "How did thousand-eyed Indra arrive there together with the gods? We do not know that deed; surely Śukra knows it without doubt." So they approached Śukra and asked, "By what act does one attain the seat of Brahmā?" Śukra replied, "The glorious deeds of Śakra, the slayer of Vṛtra, are indeed ancient. O lord of Daityas, by means of horse sacrifices, he attained the seat of Brahmā." Then, gathering the preceptor of the Asuras and the foremost Dānavas, they resolved: "At this time, let us go to the earth and approach the lords of the earth. Let the treasures be summoned, and let the Yakṣas be informed as well. Having reached the eastern place, let us perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice." With gladness, the treasurers gave their command, and preparations for the great sacrifice began.