In the world of Brahma, even the gods themselves were not free from suffering. Observing this, the mighty Daityas spoke among themselves, urging one another, “Let us go to our elder brother’s assembly and conquer the gods, including Indra.” Yet, they wondered anxiously, “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.” They feared the power of those whose mere glance could burn the Daityas and their allies, and among them were the cow-mothers, whose very dust brought destruction. The foremost Sādhyas stood in that realm, their breath and wind unbearable for the Asuras. The abode of Brahma, truthfully named and granting boons, was indeed the dwelling of their elder brother, but even those Asuras who were his equals in nature found themselves diminished there. The realm of Virāj, called Dhundhu, was especially difficult for men to ascend. Desiring to reach the abode of Brahmā, their leader sought to conquer the lords. They wondered aloud, “How did thousand-eyed Indra arrive there together with the gods?” They did not know the deed, but were certain that Śukra, their wise preceptor, knew the answer. Thus, they asked Śukra, “By what act does one attain the seat of Brahmā?” Śukra explained the ancient and glorious deeds of Śakra, the slayer of Vṛtra, saying, “O lord of Daityas, by means of horse sacrifices, Indra attained the seat of Brahmā.” With this knowledge, the leader of the Daityas summoned the preceptor Śukra and the foremost Dānavas, declaring, “Let us come 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.” The treasurers gladly gave their command, and Śukra, lord of the Bhṛgus, initiated the Daitya leader for the Aśvamedha sacrifice. With Śukra’s approval and his learned disciples, the lord of the Asuras had the Asuras perform the sacred rites. The illustrious, iron-haired great Asura followed the horse, and by his fierce scent, the wind blew even in Brahmā’s world. Alarmed, Indra and the hosts of gods sought refuge in Janārdana, the supreme shelter and goal. With voices choked by fear, they petitioned, “O Viṣṇu, destroyer of the gods’ distress, let our plea be heard. Bali, lord of the three worlds, has conquered all the gods and become mighty, growing in power as a neglected disease increases.” With Śukra’s approval, Bali was initiated for the Aśvamedha sacrifice, intending to perform the rite and conquer even the gods. The gods prayed, “May that by which we would be well-contented destroy this sacrifice.” Abandoning all other deities, they recognized the great Asura to be unconquerable. Then, the blessed Lord assumed the form of Vāmana. In a moment, he plunged and rose up again, his hair loosened by his own will. Seeing this, the Brahmins abandoned the ritual actions of the sacrifice. The officiating priests, the sacrificer, and the powerful ritual experts were cast down, bewildered. Someone asked, “For what reason have you fallen here? By whom have you been cast down? Tell us.” Dhundhu, along with his followers, replied, “Listen here to the reason.