"Who is this Virupaksha, whom you say should be worshipped?" someone asked, seeking to know the greatness of this being. "Listen," came the reply, "and I will tell you about Virupaksha. In ancient times, he subdued all the worlds and brought Sri herself under his control. This mighty one even coveted the Srivatsa mark, that auspicious symbol on Vasudeva’s chest. Knowing the depth of his ambition and seeking his destruction, he approached Maheshvara, the great Lord Shiva. He stood upon the plateau of the Himalayas, on the dry, sacred ground, and there, Hari—Vishnu himself—worshipped the Supreme Self, offering his very being in devotion. Hari praised that Supreme Brahman, the One without attributes, whom only yogis can truly know. In response to his devotion, the divine Sudarshana discus, blazing and resplendent, became visible before him. Then Shankara spoke to Vishnu: 'This discus, Sudarshana, is like the wheel of time itself. It has twelve spokes, six naves, and moves swiftly in pairs. For the protection of the virtuous, the six seasons are established within it. Indra, Agni, all the Visvedevas, and the Prajapatis are present there as well. The months, from Caitra to Phalguna, are established in this discus.' 'This unfailing weapon, worshipped even by the king of immortals, I have held—placed in my eye through the power of austerity,' Shankara continued. Vishnu then asked, 'O Shambhu, how shall I know whether this discus is truly unfailing or not?' Shankara replied, 'For the sake of your inquiry, I will cast it here; accept it, O sir.' 'If so, then cast it with a mind free from doubt,' Vishnu responded. Eager to know the truth, Vishnu released the discus with great speed toward Shankara. In that moment, the Lord of all, the Lord of sacrifice, and the performer of sacrifice were seen in three forms. Vishnu’s body, overwhelmed by humility, bowed in prostration, feeling a sense of shame at his own audacity. Yet Shankara declared, 'Though my form is cut, my essential nature is indestructible; it cannot be severed or burned. All virtuous deeds performed will surely bear fruit, without doubt. The third form is Virupaksha; these three forms grant merit to men.' Later, when Shri Damni would be slain by Vishnu, the gods would rejoice. Vishnu ascended to the summit of the divine mountain and saw Shri Damna. He released the Sudarshana discus with great swiftness, declaring again and again, 'He is slain.' The discus severed Shri Damna’s head, and he fell from the mountain like a peak struck by a thunderbolt. Having regained the excellent discus, the great weapon, Vishnu returned to his abode in the ocean. 'If you worship Virupaksha, O virtuous one,' it was told, 'you will obtain food with milk.' Indeed, by worshipping Virupaksha, one receives nourishment in the form of milk. That great asura, seeking even greater merit, approached that supreme holy place. After worshipping Suvarnaksha, he journeyed to Naimisha. There, from the midst of Tomti, Kancanakshi, and Gurudaya, he honored the sages dwelling in the Naimisha forest. The great asura then traveled to Gaya to see the Lord of Cows and performed the meritorious offering of pinda for his ancestors. He worshipped Gadapani and Gopati Shankara as well. After bathing in the waters of the great river, he went to Sarayu. Fasting for one night, he journeyed onward to the city of Viraja, ever in pursuit of merit and the blessings of the gods.