May all hostile beings become gentle at once, as serpents are subdued by the mighty Garuḍa. Ghosts, Vināyakas, cruel men, yawning spirits, and even birds—let every one of them be rendered harmless to me, struck by the powerful sound of Viṣṇu’s discus. Those who steal strength and energy, those who destroy shadows, and the dreadful kūṣmāṇḍas—let them all perish, struck by that same divine sound. By the praise of Vāsudeva, the god of gods, may this be so for me. Indeed, he who bows to that praiseworthy Lord, the infinite and unchanging Janārdana, never falls. By this truth, and by praising the name of Acyuta, may my threefold misfortune be destroyed. Even as these praises were uttered, a mighty Rākṣasa, stationed nearby, approached. Yet as he came, his force was suddenly scattered, and for four months he stood, unable to act. When the recitation of the sacred verses was completed, the Rākṣasa beheld the night-dweller. Filled with compassion upon seeing him, he comforted the troubled being. Wishing to realize his own nature, the Rākṣasa protected the earth with his energy. Turning to the Brahmin, the Rākṣasa, distressed by his own deeds, spoke humbly: “Be gracious, O Brahmin. I have caused the destruction of innocent and small beings. For the removal of this sin, please instruct me in righteousness.” Hearing these words, the foremost Brahmin was moved. Suddenly, a desire arose within him to inquire about the true path of righteousness. The Rākṣasa continued, “Through your association, O Brahmin, supreme dispassion has arisen in me. By whose company such detachment is gained, noble one, the removal of sin is surely possible. Please do for me as you would for yourself.” The great-souled sage, after reflecting for a long time, replied, “Indeed, the cessation of sins is most beneficial. This is appropriate. Seek out those Brahmins who delight in teaching, gentle one, and ask them how the removal of sin may be achieved.” Yet even as his senses were troubled by these thoughts, the Rākṣasa’s hunger remained. At every sixth interval, he would devour a single creature. One day, he saw a student, a young man living on fruits, who had arrived. Hopeless about his own life, the student spoke gently to the night-dweller: “Tell me, may blessings be upon you; here I am—please instruct me. I am destitute, exceedingly sinful, merciless, and hostile to Brahmins. Yet I will come to you today itself, after offering the fruit I have gathered to my teacher. My purpose here is to present these fruits to my teacher. Once I have done so, I will return here.” The Rākṣasa replied, “Even the gods would be released, I believe, from a sinful livelihood such as mine. If you do as you say, I will release you without doubt.” The student assured him, “I will do that, O Rākṣasa, which does not violate my vow.” The Rākṣasa confessed, “With an indiscriminate mind, wicked deeds have always been done by me. Tell me by what means, through the destruction of that sin, I may attain liberation. Having obtained this evil birth, tell me, O Brahmin, the way to be freed from it. Then, from me who is afflicted by hunger, you will surely attain liberation.