The foremost among the Dānavas caught sight of Śūlabāhu and Govinda. At that moment, Vāsudeva revealed the trident, a sight that drew the attention of all. As you inquire, listen to what unfolded: he began to recount what Viṣṇu had once told to the future Manu, a tale of ancient wisdom and divine deeds. He offered his worship to Virañci, the lord of creation, and, pleased by this devotion, Virañci granted him a boon. Yet, by the curses of the great Brahmarṣis, the gift he so desired slipped from his grasp, and in the realms of water and fire, he was stripped of his own innate qualities. Afflicted and restless, he wandered across the earth, and in his fury, he shattered all sacred rites. In company with these beings, the Blessed Lord journeyed to the Himalayas, the sacred mountains where Shiva, the three-eyed one, resides. There, those two mighty lords of the gods—fierce and powerful—exchanged their own divine weapons. Seeing them, invincible and awe-inspiring, the Dānava, gripped by fear as if facing a great flood, plunged into the river to escape. On the two riverbanks, the monkey lords, armed and vigilant, suddenly vanished from sight, concealing themselves with hidden forms. The Dānava, glancing in all directions and trembling with fear, climbed up to the fortress of the Himalaya. Armed and determined, both Vishnu with the trident and the mountain lord with the discus rushed swiftly upon him. In the ensuing tumult, the Dānava fell from the mountain, his golden form shining like a pure star tumbling from the sky. It was there, at that sacred place, that Hara’s foot struck the cool mountain, and from this divine impact, the river Vitasta—the destroyer of sin—sprang forth. After fasting with deep devotion, he made his way to Himavat to behold Shiva, who was concealed there with Vishnu. At the foot of the revered Himavat, he approached the great sage Bhrigu. There, desiring to test the power of weapons, the mighty soul split Shankara into three parts. Now, you ask for what purpose the discus, revered throughout the worlds, was bestowed as a weapon. The story of its gifting is intimately connected with a tale that magnifies the greatness of Shiva. In those ancient times, there lived a blessed householder, remembered for his tranquil nature and freedom from anger. His wife was renowned for her unwavering devotion—her husband was her very life, and she was righteous in all her conduct. To them was born a glorious son, known as Upamanyu. Though beset by great hardship, the devoted mother nourished her son with whatever milk she could find. Out of love, she even prepared a special dish for him—a porridge made from the juice of ground rice. Upamanyu ate the rice cooked in milk, relishing its delicious, life-sustaining taste. Yet, on the following day, when his mother offered him only flour-gruel, he refused to accept it. Distressed, his mother wept and spoke to him with a voice choked by tears: “When Virupaksha is displeased, my son, how can there be milk to offer you?” She urged him, “Therefore, worship the Lord of the gods, Virupaksha, the wielder of the trident. By pleasing him, one attains even the nectar of immortality—how much more so the simple joy of eating milk-rice!” Curious, Upamanyu asked, “Who is this Virupaksha, whom you say should be worshipped?” His mother replied, “Listen, my child, and I will tell you. In ancient times, Virupaksha subdued all the worlds and even brought Sri, the goddess of fortune, under his control. The mighty one once wished to seize the Srivatsa mark from the chest of Vasudeva.” Vasudeva, aware of this intent and determined to overcome him, approached Maheshvara. He stood upon the dry plateau of the Himalayas and, with utmost devotion, Hari himself worshipped the Supreme Self, offering his own self in reverence. He praised that Supreme Brahman, which is knowable only by yogis and is beyond all attributes. In response to his devotion, the glorious and divine Sudarshana discus, radiant and blazing, appeared before him. At that moment, Shankara spoke to Vishnu: “This discus, which shines like the very wheel of time...