By the gracious protection of Lord Vishnu, even the mighty asuras found it nearly impossible to enter that sanctified place. Those steadfast celibates, seeking refuge, gathered under the guardianship of Rudra’s hosts and remained there in safety. At that time, O wise one, Shukra, the illustrious descendant of Bhrigu, took charge and led them all in the performance of a great sacrifice. Shukra himself conducted the sacred initiation for King Bali, preparing him for the ritual. Bali was adorned with a deerskin draped across his back and decorated with darbha grass of many kinds, as was proper for the rite. There, among the assembled, were powerful beings: Hayagriva, Pralamba, Maya, and Bana stood at the forefront, accompanied by many others. Amidst a thousand maidens, the sage’s own daughter was chief among them, and Tarakaksha, now released, followed her as she moved upon the earth. When three months had passed and the fire-offerings were being made, the mother of the gods gave birth to Madhava, who manifested as the dwarf Vamana. At this wondrous event, Brahma himself, joined by the great sages, approached and offered a hymn of praise to the mighty Lord. They chanted: “Homage to you, O fire who consumes the fuel of enemies; homage to you, O fire who burns away the great forest of sin. Salutations to you, supporter of the universe; salutations to you, supreme person. Clad in yellow garments, beloved of Shri, Janardana, we bow to you. Bearer of all, sustainer of the earth, bearer of many forms—salutations to you. O Lord of the gods, please wipe away the tears of Indra.” Then, O mighty one, the Blessed Lord spoke to me regarding the arrival of the Kurus. The radiant sage Bharadvāja, son of Bṛhaspati and rich in austerity, was present. Filled with affection, all the assembled sages bestowed gifts and boons upon the Lord in turn. Kumbhayoni gave a deerskin; Bharadvāja offered a sacred girdle; Varuṇi presented a string of beads; Aṅgirā gave fine silk and the Veda itself. Bṛhaspati, resplendent among the wise, gave a water pot to Vishnu. Praised by the sages, the Lord studied the Veda with all its branches, accompanied by great narratives and the music of Gandharvas. He became thoroughly skilled in the Vedas to understand worldly conduct and activity. Then he addressed the foremost of Brahmins, Bharadvāja, saying, “There, the holy horse sacrifice of Bali, lord of the Daityas, is being performed. By this, I declare: Bali has gone to Kurukshetra. Let us go, O Vishnu, to Bali’s sacrifice; do not be troubled.” Bharadvāja asked, “Tell me of your presence; I wish to know it truly.” The Lord replied, “I dwell, in many forms, in supremely holy places. My forms pervade all directions, mountains, and oceans, O Bharadvāja. All beings—from Brahma down to the immovable, including the twice-born, birds, and the honored, both embodied and disembodied—are produced by me for the fulfillment of the earth. By merely seeing or praising these forms, O best of twice-born, sin is instantly destroyed. By singing, touching, and other acts of devotion, all sins are wiped away.” He continued, “As Horse-headed One I dwell in Krishna’s portion, as Govinda in Hastinapura, as Madhava in Kedara, as Shauri in Kubjamra, and as Hrishṭamūrdhaja there. As Jayesha in Bhadra-karna, as the beloved of the twice-born in the Vipasha, as Nrisimha—after purification—in Gokarna, as Vishvakarman there, as Ajita at the Vishakhayupa, and as Hamsa at Hamsapada.” Thus, the Lord revealed his many forms and abodes, assuring the sages and devotees of his presence everywhere, destroying the sins of those who seek him in faith and devotion.