With reverence and devotion, the sages bowed to the thrice-golden one, to him adorned with the moon’s gentle radiance. They offered salutations to Kapardin, the destroyer of all diseases, and to Padmanabha, Hiranyaksha, and the imperishable Skanda. Their prayers continued, honoring Hamsa, the supreme object of offering, Srinivasa, and the supreme Purusha. They bowed to the Lord of plants, to Pashupati, the unchanging Lord, and to the flawless Lord of all, Gaurisha, and the Lord of the Nagas. Their devotion extended to Yashodhara, the mighty-armed, and to the one dear to kusa grass. They saluted Bhadraksha, Virabhadra, and Shankukarṇika, as well as Upendra, Govinda, and the one who delights in lotuses. Their bows reached Kalagni, Rudra—the lord of the gods, clad in hides—and the thousand-eyed, Kokanada, and Hari-Shankara. They honored the eternal Brahma, supreme in Brahman, and Dharmaraja, the god who rides Garuda. The great yogi, the unmanifest, the destroyer of sin, received their salutations, as did the refuge and destroyer of sin, to whom they sought shelter. By reciting, remembering, and hearing these names, one attains blessedness, fame, and the destruction of countless sins. In the sacred land of Kurukshetra, Vali, son of Virocana, came to perform a grand sacrifice. Shukra, of the illustrious Bhargava lineage, summoned the foremost among the twice-born. The Kaushikas and Angirasas departed from the lands of Kuru and Jangala, embarking on a journey. After bathing in the waters of the Śātadru, they continued to the Vipāśā, then reached the sacred Kiraṇā, whose waters sparkled with the rays of the sun. Their pilgrimage led them to the Airāvatī, whose waters were supremely pure, and from there, they proceeded to Atheśvarī. O sage, Maitreya and the others descended to bathe in this auspicious river. Within its waters, O best of the twice-born, a great and wondrous event unfolded. After bathing, the sages emerged from the river, their minds filled with astonishment, constantly pondering, “What is this?” Before them appeared a forest, dark as the neck of a peacock, filled with the calls of birds. With spreading matted locks, O Nārada, they entered the very earth itself. The forest shone with ten and a half pleasing colors, reminiscent of the hosts of stars scattered across the sky. It was filled with kokanada lotuses, resembling a vast lake of lotuses. The sages entered, their minds delighted, like swans gliding into a great lake. Facing west, they beheld forests overflowing with wealth. Facing north, they saw a land shining with the pure luster of crystal, promising liberation. At the end of Dvāpara and the beginning of Tiṣya, an āśrama for dharma was established, dedicated solely to the practice of righteousness. There, in this unbroken, water-filled place, they found great joy. Already established in that sacred spot was the Lord of the universe in four forms, venerated through service, austerity, and celibacy, O Nārada. Yet, out of fear of the asuras, the sages sought refuge in the unbroken mountain. After bathing in the waters of the Kalindi, they continued their journey, now proceeding southward, steadfast in their quest for spiritual fulfillment.