The king, filled with devotion and yearning, approached the Lord of gods with a humble prayer. “O Lord,” he implored, “grant me a son—one skilled in the sacred Vedic mantras, devoted to sacrifice, famed and virtuous, pure of heart, long-lived, and Brahman-like in all his qualities.” Having spoken thus, the king’s heart reached further, and he petitioned again: “O Supreme Lord, when my life draws to its close, grant me a blessed place among the sages—a sage’s abode, where, having arrived, one never grieves.” The god, pleased with the king’s sincerity, replied, “So be it,” and vanished from sight. In time, a son was born to the king—a child named Vatsapri. This son grew to be accomplished in the Vedas and their branches, a master of sacrifice, learned in many scriptures. His fame, O great king, spread far and wide across the earth. Having received such a son, the king, Viṣṇudatta—radiant in glory—renounced all dualities of the world and dedicated himself to austerity. He journeyed to the beautiful mountain Himavat, where he worshipped Lord Hari, fasting and mastering his senses, and composed hymns in praise of the Lord. Bhadrāśva, eager to know more, asked, “O Brahman, what kind of hymn did that king compose? And what befell him as he praised the Supreme Lord?” Durvāsā replied, “On the slopes of Himavat, the king, his mind absorbed in the divine, composed a hymn to the powerful god Vishnu.” The king’s heart poured forth in praise: “I extol Janārdana, the Lord—both perishable and imperishable—who reclines upon the ocean of milk, who supports the earth, who is the supreme goal of embodied beings, beyond the senses, whose arms encompass the universe, manifest and unmanifest. You are the primeval god, the embodiment of ultimate reality, the all-pervading, ancient, supreme person—beyond the senses, foremost among those who know the Vedas. Protect me, O wielder of conch, mace, and discus. “O God, you have performed wondrous deeds among gods and demons—deeds recounted by all. This creation exists for your purpose, O Vishnu; nothing is hidden from you. You have taken the forms of the tortoise and the boar, you have assumed many shapes. Though repeated births are recounted for you, O Acyuta, in truth, they do not bind you. “O Narasimha, salutations to you; O Vamana, O Jamadagni, O destroyer of ten-headed Ravana’s lineage, O Vasudeva; salutations to you, O Buddha, Kalkin, Lord of birds; O Shambhu, destroyer of the arrogant, I bow to you. Salutations to Narayana, to Padmanabha; salutations, O Supreme Person, honored by all assemblies of immortals, chief among the wise. “Salutations to you, fierce-faced Narasimha; to you, Kurma, whose form is like a vast mountain; to you, Matsya, whose form resembles the ocean; I salute you, O Ananta, who once took the form of a boar. All your actions, O Lord, are for the sake of creation; your embodiment is not primary, O Supreme One. This meditation is revealed for the ignorant, for without it, you are not perceived, O Ancient One. “You are the origin of sacrifice, O Vishnu; you are its limbs, the oblation, the sacrificial animal, the priest, and the object of worship. The hosts of gods and sages worship you. Whatever in this world is stable or moving, established by gods, time, and fire, is supreme; you are undivided, O Janardana. Grant me the accomplishment my heart desires. “Salutations to you, lotus-eyed one, both embodied and unembodied, O Hari. I have taken refuge in you—lift me up from worldly existence.” Thus praised by the great-souled king, as he stood beneath a vast mango tree, the Supreme Lord was pleased. Hari then assumed a hunchback form and appeared before the king; as soon as he arrived, the mango tree itself became hunchbacked. Witnessing this great wonder, the king, steadfast in his vow, became absorbed in thought, pondering how the mango tree had come to be hunchbacked. As he reflected, insight dawned upon him: this transformation was accomplished by the arrival of that Brahmin—there could be no doubt. “This very one must be the blessed Supreme Person,” the king realized, and he bowed low before the Brahmin, saying, “O Blessed One, truly you are the Supreme Person, come in grace. Show me your true form now, O Hari.” Thus addressed, the god—bearing conch, discus, and mace—appeared gentle before the king and spoke: “Choose a boon, O king of kings, whatever is in your heart. With me pleased, even a sesame seed’s worth in the three worlds is yours.” The king, his eyes blooming with joy, replied, “Grant me liberation, O Lord of gods,” and asked for nothing more. The Blessed One spoke again: “When I arrived, this mango tree became hunchbacked; therefore, this place will be known as Kubjakamra Tirtha. Even those of animal birth, or Brahmins, if they relinquish their bodies here, will gain five hundred celestial vehicles, and yogis will attain liberation.” Having spoken thus, Lord Janardana touched the king with the tip of his conch, and at that very moment, the king attained supreme liberation. Therefore, O king of kings, you too should seek refuge in that Lord, by whose grace you will never again tread the path of sorrow. Whoever, rising in the morning, listens to or recites the deeds of these two will obtain the rewards of liberation, righteousness, and wealth. Whoever, O lord of people, performs this auspicious and virtuous vow will enjoy all prosperity here and, having enjoyed it, will ultimately attain dissolution. Agastya then said, “Next, I will declare the supreme vow of fortune, by which even one who is unfortunate becomes fortunate at once. On the bright fortnight of Mārgashīrsha, on the first lunar day, one should fast at night and worship Vishnu and Agni. Offer the feet to Vaiśvānara, the abdomen to Agni, the chest to Havirbhuj, the arms to Dravinoda, the head to Samvartta, and all around to Jvalana. Thus, worship the Lord of Lords, Janardana, in this manner. “In front of him, carefully construct a fire pit and perform the fire offering with these mantras. Afterwards, eat food made of barley mixed with ghee. In the dark fortnight, this is to be done likewise for four months.” Thus, the king’s devotion and the Lord’s grace became a sacred tale, a path for all who seek fortune, liberation, and the favor of the Supreme.