With deep reverence, the devotee gathers fragrant flowers and, offering them before the Lord, recites the sacred mantra: “These flowers are offered for auspiciousness, O Lord; make all things auspicious. By you, these have been created and accepted for well-being. Svāhā.” Having thus offered the flowers, the devotee next presents incense, honoring the Lord with the words, “Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa,” and recites another mantra, declaring, “By this incense, O sinless one, your offerings have been sanctified. Accept this incense of mine, which grants liberation from all worldly existence.” The Lord, ever compassionate, assures the devotee, “As it is offered, I accept it, bringing happiness to my devotees.” Next, the devotee, following the prescribed rites, places the offering upon the knee and recites: “Obeisance to the blessed, radiant Lord Viṣṇu; all the gods are established in fire.” Another mantra follows: “O Lord, accept this shining lamp to release from worldly existence.” The Lord proclaims, “Whoever offers the lamp in the proper manner, let him make me as is fitting.” Upon hearing these words of Nārāyaṇa, Vasundharā—the Earth goddess—was filled with amazement. She spoke with devotion, saying, “I have heard, O devotee, that your followers are devoted to your rites. In which recipients should your prescribed act be performed?” Hearing her inquiry, the Lord of the world replied, “I will tell you those things which you previously asked me about. Of all the materials here, copper is pleasing to me above all others.” The Earth, in turn, spoke sweet words to Janardana, the Lord of the worlds. Hearing her, the beginningless and unconquered one addressed her, saying, “Hear from me, O sinless one, as I truly explain it to you, O Earth. In the beginning, O Mādhavī, there were seven thousand yugas. Long ago, O lotus-eyed one, there was the great asura named Guḍākeśa. He worshipped me with unwavering devotion for fourteen years. By his intense austerity and firm resolve, I was greatly pleased. “O great goddess, I beheld his hermitage and heard his auspicious words. Appearing before him with four arms, devoted to my duties, I spoke to him with a gladdened heart, ‘O Guḍākeśa, highly fortunate one, tell me—what shall I do for you? Whatever you have contemplated, gentle one, in deed, thought, or word—ask it now.’ “Hearing my words, Guḍākeśa replied, ‘If you are truly pleased with me, O Lord, with your entire inner being, I desire to be slain by you, Keśava, with your discus. After being struck down by the discus, what of my flesh and marrow?’” The Lord continued, “Then, making a vessel from that, he who was established in virtuous conduct sought supreme satisfaction in his mind once the offering had been made. O Lord of the gods, whatever you have contemplated, standing firm in severe austerity, you shall remain established in my presence, having assumed a form stationed upon copper. Whatever is given to me in a copper vessel, filled to the brim—that copper is auspicious and pure; for this reason, it is dear to me. “On the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Vaiśākha, you shall come to my world; thus it is—there is no doubt about this.” In this way, desiring to be struck down by the discus, Guḍākeśa too remained steadfast in my service. Thus, the sacred rites, the preference for copper, and the deep devotion of Guḍākeśa were revealed by the Lord himself, bestowing auspiciousness and liberation upon those who worship with faith and purity.