In the midst of this world, so often clouded by delusion, there stood one whose knowledge was limited, yearning for clarity and greatness. Such greatness, it was understood, could only be attained through the grace of the divine. With a heart full of hope, she turned to the compassionate Lord, who is ever kind to the afflicted, and pleaded, “Do not deny me, O Lord.” Responding to her earnestness, the Lord, addressing her as “O beautiful-hipped one,” invited her to ask for any boon she desired—even those considered unattainable. He assured her, “Who, having gained my audience, has any wish left unfulfilled?” With palms joined and head bowed, she spoke sweetly, “O Vishnu, enter my womb and become my son.” The Lord pondered her request, recognizing the river’s longing for his presence. Out of compassion, Vishnu resolved in his mind to grant her wish. Assuming the sacred form of the Shalagrama stone, he entered her womb. He promised her, “By my presence, you will become the most excellent among rivers. You will cleanse great sins arising from speech, mind, and body. Those who satisfy their ancestors through you will deliver them and lead them to heaven. They, too, will attain my abode, where sorrow does not exist.” Having thus bestowed these boons upon the goddess, the Lord vanished from her sight. Vishnu himself, having taken form by the will of his devotee, illuminated the limbs of the lord of stars and cleansed them thoroughly. While the Moon watched, Vishnu disappeared once more. The stream revealed by Ravana was said to bestow great merit. To the east of the lord of Soma lay Ravana’s hermitage, where, through his dance, he pleased the lord of gods and was granted a boon. After bathing in the Bāṇa Gaṅgā and beholding the lord Bāṇeśvara, the sage of the Ālaṅkāyana lineage swiftly attained supreme status in that sacred field. Now, the Earth was told of another supreme and secret matter. Understanding the highest intent, the god Maheśvara, through yogic illusion, became the son of Ālaṅkāyana. Endowed with yogic power, the three-eyed one, bearing the trident, was born but remained unrecognized, though he was devoted to Vishnu’s worship. The Lord called out, “Arise, O tiger among sages; your desire has borne fruit. You undertook austerity together with the Lord for a son. Thus, I myself have been born for you. You have attained the highest accomplishment, for I, your son, have remained.” Astonished, the sage wondered aloud, “How is it that Hari has not yet appeared to me? Until I behold him, I shall not cease my austerities.” He was then instructed, “By means of yoga, go swiftly to Mathurā. Bring Āmuṣyāyaṇa here quickly.” Receiving this command, Nandī departed at once. Upon reaching Mathurā and seeing Āmuṣyāyaṇa, he inquired about his name. Āmuṣyāyaṇa, a disciple of Sālaṃkāyana, introduced himself. He asked, “Tell me, is the guru well? Where does that ascetic reside?” Thus, the story unfolded, weaving the wishes of devotees and the compassion of the divine into a tapestry of grace and fulfillment.