In the beginning, the great Lord assumed the form of Time itself—fierce in nature, bearing a trident, and powerful beyond measure. In his rajasic aspect, he worshipped his own dynamic form with deep devotion, while in his tamasic disposition, he dwelt among the asuras, embodying their qualities. Thus, Maheśvara became the threefold sustainer of the worlds, honoring the gods through his actions. As a result, the world itself took on a threefold nature. He was established in the forms of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśa, yet it was Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Lord, who reigned above all in the Kṛta Yuga. In the Tretā Yuga, he manifested as Rudra; in the Dvāpara Yuga, he became the very embodiment of sacrifice; and in the Kali Yuga, Nārāyaṇa appeared in many forms, adapting to the needs of each age. Now, O gentle lady of beautiful form, listen as I recount the wondrous deeds of Viṣṇu, radiant and illustrious, as they first unfolded in ancient times. Hear them all as I narrate, O fair one. In the Kṛta Yuga, there lived a mighty king named Supratīka. He had two wives, both equally charming and delightful: Vidyutprabhā and Kāntimatī. Despite his earnest efforts, no son was born to him from either queen. Seeking a boon, the king performed proper rites and worshipped the great sage Ātreya, pure and sinless, on the sacred mountain of Citrakūṭa. Pleased by the king’s devotion and service, the sage, son of Atri, decided to grant him a boon. At that very moment, mighty Indra, king of the gods, arrived there, riding his elephant and surrounded by the celestial hosts, yet he remained silent. Seeing Indra, the sage, though pleased inwardly, outwardly displayed displeasure and, angered by the king of the gods’ conduct, pronounced a fierce curse upon him: “Because you have shown me disrespect, O foolish lord of heaven, you shall be cast down from your kingdom and dwell in another world.” Having thus spoken in anger to Indra, the sage turned to King Supratīka and said, “O king, your son will be steadfast in valor. He will be glorious, resembling Indra himself in form, radiant, skilled in weapons, famed for his prowess, learned in the arts and actions of Vidyutprabhā. Though fierce in deeds, he will be unconquerable and exceedingly strong.” Having thus blessed the king, the sage departed. King Supratīka, righteous and devoted, caused his wife Vidyutprabhā to conceive, and in due time, she gave birth to a son. This son, named Durjaya, was mighty in strength. The sage himself performed the birth rites and sacraments for the child—this was the ascetic Durvāsas, pure in body. By the power of the sage’s blessings, Durjaya became gentle in nature, mastered the Vedas and scriptures, and was known for his righteousness and purity. The king’s second wife, Kīrtimatī, also gave birth to a son, named Sudyumna, who too mastered the Vedas and their branches. As time passed, King Supratīka, seeing his son Durjaya fit for rule, called him near. When the king grew old, he considered the matter of succession and, being wise and righteous, entrusted the kingdom to Durjaya before retiring to the mountain Citrakūṭa. Inheriting a great kingdom with elephants, horses, chariots, and cavalry, Durjaya pondered how to expand his realm. Gathering a mighty army, he set his sights northward, conquering all the regions belonging to the Siddhas. He subdued the land of Bhārata, which is difficult to overcome, and then the region called Kimpuruṣa. Next, he conquered the golden and delightful region of Hari-varṣa, as well as Kurubhadrāśva and Ilāvṛta, the central region of Meru, thus bringing all these lands under his sway. Victorious, Durjaya conquered the island of Jambū and set out to defeat the king of the gods himself, accompanied by all the deities. Ascending Mount Meru, the sage Nārada, son of Brahmā, announced Durjaya’s triumph over the gods, Gandharvas, Dānavas, Guhyakas, Kinnaras, and Daityas to Indra. Alarmed, Indra, accompanied by the guardians of the worlds, hastily descended from Mount Meru to challenge Durjaya, who had swiftly conquered with his weapons. In the eastern region, Indra and the guardians of the worlds gathered, and a great event was about to unfold. Having defeated the gods, Durjaya returned and set up his camp on the slopes of Gandhamādana, arranging his provisions. It was then that two ascetics approached him. As they arrived, Durjaya and the guardians of the worlds addressed them, saying, “You have restrained everything; without the guardians, the world does not function. Therefore, grant us that supreme position.” Durjaya, wise in dharma, asked, “Who are you?” The two, destroyers of enemies, replied, “We are the Asuras named Vidyutsu and Vidyunna, O giver of honor. If you now desire, we will carry out all the duties of the guardians of the worlds, righteously and well-arranged among the virtuous.” Pleased, Durjaya established them as the new guardians of the worlds, and they immediately became invisible. Their great deeds on the mountain would later be recounted. Meanwhile, King Durjaya remained on Mandara. There, he beheld the divine forest of Dhanada, which resembled the fabled Nandana and wandered joyfully in that delightful place. Beneath golden trees, he saw two maidens of extraordinary beauty and wonder. Astonished, he wondered to himself, “Who are these with auspicious eyes?” As he pondered, he noticed two ascetics in the forest. Overjoyed, the king quickly dismounted from his elephant and offered them his respects. Seated with them on a fine silk seat, he was asked, “Who are you? From where have you come? To whom do you belong, and what brings you here?