All these countless beings and forms that arise in the universe are none other than manifestations of the immeasurable, great-souled Viṣṇu. The Yakṣas, the Rākṣasas, the Daityas, Piśācas, serpents, Dānavas, Gandharvas, and Apsarases—all these, too, are but forms of that same great Viṣṇu, who pervades all existence. The planets, stars, and constellations shining in the variegated sky, the elements of fire, water, and wind, myself, and the senses—indeed, every aspect of the universe is filled and sustained by Viṣṇu’s presence. He, who assumes countless forms, manifests as both the oppressor and the oppressed, as day and night alternate like waves upon the ocean. Now, amidst this cosmic play, the Daityas led by Kālanemi have seized the world of mortals and oppress the people relentlessly, day and night. Kālanemi, who once fell to the might of Viṣṇu, has now been reborn as Kaṃsa, son of Ugrasena, that formidable Asura. Alongside him have arisen others: Ariṣṭa, Dhenuka, Keśī, Pralamba, Naraka, the fierce Sumba, Bāṇa the son of Bali, and many more of great might and evil intent, emerging in the houses of kings—so numerous that they cannot even be counted. The earth is now crowded with vast divisions of armies, gods bearing divine forms, and over all stand the proud lords of the Daityas, mighty in strength. Overwhelmed and oppressed by this great burden, the Earth herself approaches the lords of the immortals, confessing her inability to bear the weight any longer, and implores them for relief, lest she sink into the netherworld. Hearing the Earth’s plea, all the gods, moved by compassion and concern, urged Brahmā, the Grandfather, to speak on their behalf for the removal of her burden. Brahmā addressed the assembled gods, saying, “Just as the Earth has spoken, so it is, O dwellers in heaven. I, Śiva, and all of you are but manifestations of Nārāyaṇa’s essence. The powers that arise among us—superiority and inferiority, oppressor and oppressed—exist only in relation to one another.” “Let us go, then, to the excellent shore of the Milky Ocean. There, by worshipping Hari, we shall present our troubles before him. For the sake of the world, that all-pervading soul, the very essence of the universe, descends to earth in a portion of his pure being to uphold righteousness.” So it was that Brahmā, together with the gods, went to the shore of the Milky Ocean. With concentrated minds, they praised the mighty Viṣṇu, the bearer of Garuḍa. Brahmā offered his homage, saying, “You are indeed the two forms of knowledge, higher and lower, as declared in tradition. Both with and without form, O Lord, these are your manifestations. You are the twofold Brahman—the subtle and the gross, the Brahman of sound and the supreme Brahman, the essence of all that is Brahman.” “You are the Ṛgveda, the Yajurveda, the Sāmaveda, and the Atharvaveda. Instruction, ritual, etymology, meter, astrology—all are you. The histories and Purāṇas, grammar, Mīmāṃsā, logic, and the treatises on dharma are also your forms. Whatever is spoken regarding the self, its body, and its qualities, O primal Lord, is nothing but your true nature.” “You are the unmanifest, indescribable, inconceivable, without armor, of form without hands or feet, pure, eternal, and supreme beyond the highest. You hear without ears, see without eyes, are of many forms and yet formless; without feet or hands you move swiftly and grasp, you know all and are the object of all knowledge. Subtler than the subtlest, you are the true form in all. For those who perceive you, supreme knowledge arises; for the wise, nothing else is upheld but your most excellent form, O supreme self.” “You are the support of the universe, the protector of the worlds; all beings dwell within you. Whatever was, whatever will be, you alone—subtler than the subtle—are beyond nature. The one Lord, fourfold, is the fire that receives offerings; you bestow radiance and glory upon the world. With infinite forms and eyes everywhere, O creator, you establish the threefold step.” “Just as one fire, though unchanged in essence, blazes forth in many ways through various transformations, so you, present everywhere in a single form, manifest all forms without exception, O Lord. That one supreme, highest state of yours, which the wise see as knowable through knowledge, is unique; apart from you, O supreme self, there is nothing else—no other true form, no past or future.” “You are of manifest and unmanifest nature, possessing both collective and individual forms; all-knowing, all-pervading, endowed with all power, knowledge, strength, and prosperity. You are neither diminished nor increased, self-dependent, without beginning, sovereign; untouched by fatigue, sloth, fear, anger, desire, and the like. Faultless, supreme, beyond attainment, unseated, imperishable order; Lord of all, the supreme support, the essence of all radiance, imperishable. O Supreme Person, whose meditation is free from all coverings and supports, whose abode is great majesty—salutations to you.” “There is no taking of a body from cause or without cause, nor from cause and non-cause; it is only for the protection of dharma that you manifest.” Having heard these words of praise, the unborn Lord Viṣṇu revealed his universal form, and with delight in his mind, spoke to Brahmā: “O Brahmā, if you and the gods desire anything from me, let it be spoken fully and know that it is already accomplished.” Seeing Hari’s divine universal form, Brahmā, his heart filled with awe and reverence, praised him again among the gods: “Salutations, salutations to you a thousand times, O thousand-armed one, with many faces and feet. Salutations to you, immeasurable one, who brings about the creation, destruction, and maintenance of the world. O Lord, subtle beyond the subtlest, vast beyond measure, heavier than the heaviest, supreme soul beyond the root of matter, intellect, and senses—be gracious.” “O God, this earth, bound by mountains and oppressed by great demons born of the earth, approaches you, the refuge of the worlds, for the removal of its burden, O unfathomable one.” Thus did the gods, led by Brahmā, approach and praise the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu, seeking his grace to relieve the earth of her heavy burden.