I ever take refuge in the Lord of gods, subtler than the subtlest, offering homage to the thousand-headed, infinite, great soul. All praise is due to Him, the supreme goal sought even by Brahmā and other deities. In my distress, I call out to Subrahmaṇya, seeking his protection and shelter. Moved by such devotion, Viṣṇu—the bearer of the conch, discus, and mace—became pleased. Seated majestically upon Garuḍa, the great support of the worlds and rich in austerity, the immeasurable soul Madhusūdana swiftly descended and lifted up the one who had sought His refuge. With His divine power, Viṣṇu freed the king of serpents from his bonds, answering his earnest plea. At the same time, the crocodile that had been slain by Kṛṣṇa was liberated and attained heaven. In that perilous moment, the best of elephants and the Gandharva, who had both been entangled in suffering, were together delivered. With gratitude and reverence, they worshipped the Lord of the gods, honoring Him as was proper. Those who are devoted and steadfast in mind will remember this sacred event. For them, bad dreams are destroyed and only good dreams arise. Even Nārasiṃha and the king of serpents, who play roles in creation and dissolution, are remembered. Such remembrance frees one from all sins, granting the world of merit. Viṣṇu, in compassion, touched both the elephant and the Gandharva with His hand. The Gandharva, who had taken refuge with the Brahmin wholly devoted to Nārāyaṇa, was also blessed. Because of the bondage of sin and the weight of a curse, the Gandharva had performed the grievous act of seizing, but now, through the Lord’s grace, was freed. That blessed Lord Viṣṇu, whose ways are unfathomable, then departed. The elephant and the Gandharva bowed in deep reverence to the great-souled Lord, Nārāyaṇa, Hari. With eyes wide in astonishment, they praised Janārdana, marveling at His compassion and power. Having witnessed the liberation of the elephant-king, the Gandharva spoke, declaring that one who attains the highest perfection sees all evil dreams destroyed. By the liberation of the elephant here, one is instantly freed from sin. Reciting this sacred account releases a person from many bonds of sin, just as the elephant obtained liberation. Thus, I bow to that divine, secret, ancient Person—the Lord of the worlds, most excellent. By praising, hearing, and contemplating Him, one’s sins are dispelled. Now, there was another being, one who delighted in harming others, base in nature and merciless at heart. As his life neared its end, a terrible night-wanderer was born of him. He lived by cruel deeds, driven by his demonic nature, and did not seek any other livelihood. Whatever fell within the reach of his arms, he devoured with fierce actions. Thus, a great span of time passed, and age advanced upon him. Yet, within him was a spark of nobility. With arms raised upward, he remained self-controlled in his senses, a master of yoga, pure and skillful, wholly devoted to Vāsudeva. In his spiritual vision, he saw Viṣṇu, the bearer of the bow Śārṅga, standing armed in the west and holding a sword to his north. Hari, in the form of a boar, stood upon the earth, while Nṛsiṃha was present in the sky above. He beheld a garland of rays, dazzling and hard to look upon, which served to destroy ghosts and night-wandering spirits. This radiance, the destroyer of demons, spirits, fiends, and ḍākinīs, was invoked to utterly destroy all threats—beasts, men, kūṣmāṇḍas, ghosts, and the rest. Thus, the Lord’s compassion and power prevailed, bestowing liberation and protection to all who sought Him with a devoted heart.