The sage, having been instructed, was told, “Go quickly to your own place, taking your children with you.” Yet, despite being urged in this way, the Niṣāda did not fully comprehend the meaning behind these words. With confusion, he asked, “What evil deed did I commit in the ancient past? By what fault have I come to be a woman, when I was formerly a man?” Hearing these questions, the sage of firm vows replied, “Nishada, listen carefully as I recount my story. I practiced taking only one meal a day, avoided forbidden foods, and performed many acts of austerity, desiring a divine vision. After a long time, I beheld Janardana himself. Since I sought no boon, the boon offered to me was not desired. Then Vishnu spoke to me, saying, ‘Having seen the illusion, enough, O twice-born.’ He repeated, ‘Now you will see enough, O noble one.’ Through the delusion of illusion, I found myself at the bank of the Ganga. Following the ritual of bathing, I immersed myself in those pure waters. In that moment, I knew nothing—what is this, what is happening? For some reason, I entered the waters of Jahnavi. Nishada, look: the water pot, the mat, the cloth, were as before; the staff and cloth—whatever was not worn out—were carried away by the Ganga.” Having spoken thus, the Nishada disappeared from sight. Then, O Devi, that Brahmin undertook austerities once more. As he continued his practice, the afternoon arrived. He gathered flowers for his rites, his heart filled with faith. Surrounded by eminent Brahmins, the twice-born performed ablutions in the Ganga. In the forenoon, he had placed his mat, water pot, and staff there. The Brahmins asked, “What have you forgotten? Why have you not come quickly to this place?” Hearing their words, the sage sat in silence. Meanwhile, O goddess, that eminent Brahmin wondered, “How has so much time passed? What did the Brahmins say to me? How did this moment arrive? What is this?” He spoke in confusion. Again, O goddess, I addressed that Brahmin, “What is this, you appear bewildered? Or what have you seen?” Thus addressed, he placed his head upon the ground and lamented, “Ah, O god, O twice-born, these Brahmins speak to me, O teacher of the world: you have arrived in the afternoon, what place have you forgotten?” He continued, “I became a hunter, and my wife was born in the hunter’s lineage. From her, three sons and three daughters were born. Once, I went to bathe in the Ganges as one who dwells by the riverbank; emerging, I myself again attained the form praised by sages. What wrongful act have I committed while serving Madhava? What improper thing have I consumed while serving Achyuta? Tell me this truthfully, by which I have gone to hell.” He added, “Indeed, I have previously informed you, being deceived by illusion.” Then, hearing his words, full of lamentation and compassion, I said, “Do not grieve, O foremost of Brahmins, for suffering arising from your own fault, by which you have attained sorrow and entered the animal womb. I have already spoken before; listen, O eminent Brahmin. I grant you divine enjoyments, or earthly ones as you desire. The Vaiṣṇava illusion has been seen, which you, O Brahmin, desired; and for fifty years, not even in the house of the hunter.” Thus, the sage’s journey through illusion, his questioning, and his restoration were revealed, showing the mysterious workings of divine maya and the fruits of devotion and austerity.