Listen now to the tale as spoken in the ancient verses. There was one, wise and learned in the meaning of all scriptures, descended from the lineage of Varuṇa. In his family, his elder brother was the eldest, while he himself was the younger and lesser in standing. Out of curiosity, his father had given him the name Gatibhāsa. His brother, endowed with the virtues of the heavenly realm, was beautiful in form and a great Asura. After performing the funeral rites for their father, the brothers both returned to the house. It was then that the elder brother said to Gatibhāsa, “You have no share, O sir.” He declared that for those considered mad or blind, there was no share of the family wealth; only a meager portion was given to them, and they did not partake in the inheritance. Gatibhāsa, feeling wronged, questioned, “I am worthy of a share of the wealth; by what justice am I denied?” But his brother, unmoved, lifted him up and threw him into the river for this very reason. Thus, Gatibhāsa remained there, and a full year passed in this way. Then, seeing a consecrated and mighty-armed figure, equal in splendor to Indra, Gatibhāsa wondered, “Who is this person so blessed with prosperity and compassion toward me?” It was then that the twice-born spoke, “O Brahmin, our lineage is Bhārgava.” The Bhārgavas were known as givers, enjoyers, distributors, and those initiated in sacrificial rites. All of them addressed the lord of the Daityas, speaking words on behalf of Vāmana. The Daitya lord was told that he would give a splendid residence and many gems as well. The chief of the Daityas replied to the leader of the twice-born, “I shall give you as much wealth as you desire. Today I grant you; let your wish be chosen, O mighty one.” The twice-born then spoke words to the Asura lord, Dhundhu, seeking to secure his own purpose. He declared that what is given by one who cannot retract it, no other will take away. Among the capable chiefs of the twice-born, he urged, “Grant, O mighty-armed one. Give, O lord of the Daityas; you are not able to protect more than this.” The Daitya lord then gave to the chief of the twice-born three steps, and at that time, nothing else was taken. Then the infinite power assumed the form of Trivikrama, preparing to stride. With one step, he seized the earth, along with its mountains and oceans, adorned with cities of treasure. With the second step, the god, desiring what is dear to the gods, swiftly took possession in order. Trivikrama, the blessed one, with a body equal to Mount Meru, fell upon the back of the Daitya lord. A pit thirty thousand yojanas deep was made firm in the earth, and he poured down a rain of sand to fill that pit. Thereafter, all the gods attained the three worlds and were freed from trouble. Assuming the form of Kālindī, the divine one vanished right there. In that sacred hermitage, the son of the king of the Daityas approached the great sage, who was endowed with virtue. After observing a single night of fasting, he went to the mountain where the emblem was divided. Again, after a single night of fasting, he proceeded to the holy place called Kedara. Having stayed there for seven days, he then journeyed to Kubjamra. There, after bathing at the excellent holy place, fasting and with his senses controlled, he worshipped Hrishikesha and then went to the hermitage of Badarika. At the holy place of Varaha, he beheld the seat of Garuda and, filled with devotion, worshipped it. He saw and worshipped Shiva as well, and then approached the river Vipasha. Fasting, he beheld the supreme Lord on the banks of the Iravati, thus completing his sacred pilgrimage.