The gods and devotees, having worshipped the Supreme Lord, sought the fulfillment of their desires and the removal of their suffering. Yet, O Blessed One, even these prayers and their fruits are but expressions of your wondrous māyā. I myself, the speaker confesses, have worshipped you not for liberation, but for the sake of gaining a son and victory over my enemies—such is the subtle play of your illusion. Indeed, a mere wish for something as simple as a loincloth, if it arises in the unworthy, surpasses even the wish-fulfilling tree, for it is born of their own faults and offenses. Therefore, O imperishable Lord, who casts the net of māyā over all the worlds, be gracious. O Lord of beings, dispel this ignorance, which veils true knowledge. Salutations to you, O wielder of the discus! Salutations to you, O bearer of the mighty Śārṅga bow! O Viṣṇu, salutations to you, who hold the Nanda club and the conch. I behold your form, marked by its manifest features, but your supreme, transcendental form is unknown to me—be merciful, O Supreme Lord! Śrī Parāśara narrates: Thus praised, radiant as the sun, Viṣṇu smiled and addressed the mother of the gods, saying, “O goddess, you are our mother; please be gracious and grant us a boon.” Aditi replied, “So be it, as you desire. In the world of truth, among all gods and demons, O tiger among men, you shall be unconquerable.” Then, Satyabhāmā, the wife of Kṛṣṇa, together with Indra, bowed to Aditi and repeatedly entreated her favor. Aditi blessed Satyabhāmā, saying, “By my grace, O beautiful one, you shall never know old age or disfigurement; your lovely form will remain ever youthful and unchanging.” With Aditi’s permission, the king of the gods, Indra, honored Janārdana, worshipping him with great reverence as was proper. Meanwhile, Śacī, thinking Satyabhāmā to be but a mortal woman, withheld the sacred Pārijāta flower from her, adorning herself with its blossoms instead. Then Krishna, accompanied by Satyabhāmā, beheld the celestial gardens—Nandana and others, resplendent and delightful. There he saw the Pārijāta tree, fragrant and radiant, its branches heavy with blossoms, ever bringing joy, and adorned with tender, coppery-red young leaves. Keshava, the slayer of Kesi, gazed upon this tree, which had emerged during the churning of the nectar, its bark shining like refined gold. This supreme and peerless king of trees was exceedingly pleasing. Satyabhāmā, seeing it, turned to Govinda and said, “Krishna, why is this tree not brought to Dvaraka? If your words are truly sincere, and if I am indeed so dear to you as you have often declared, then let this tree adorn my courtyard. Neither Jambavati nor Rukmini is so cherished by you as I am, as you have so often said with loving words. If this is truly so, and not mere courtesy, let the Pārijāta be the ornament of my house. Wearing a cluster of its blossoms in my hair, I wish to shine among my co-wives.” Hearing her, Hari smiled and, with gentle affection, placed the Pārijāta tree upon Garuda. At that moment, the guardians of the garden approached and spoke, “O Govinda, this Pārijāta tree is the cherished possession of Śacī, queen of the king of the gods; you ought not to take it. It arose for the king of the gods, who, out of curiosity, gave it to his most fortunate queen, the goddess Śacī. Created by the gods during the churning of the nectar for Śacī’s adornment, this tree does not bring well-being to those who take it away; you will not prosper by taking it. The king of the gods always gazes upon her face; for her sake, he acquired it. Who, seeking their own welfare, would take it and depart? Certainly, O Krishna, Indra will seek redress for this; the Maruts will follow Śakra, whose hand is raised with the thunderbolt. Therefore, O Achyuta, let there be no conflict with all the gods; wise men do not praise actions whose results are bitter in the end.” Satyabhāmā, greatly angered by these words, declared, “Who is Śacī to the Pārijāta, or who is Śakra, lord of the gods? If this tree arose from the churning of the nectar for the common benefit of all worlds, then why does Vasava alone possess it? Just as the nectar, the moon, and Śrī are for all the worlds, O guardians of the garden, so too is the Pārijāta tree for all. Because of her husband’s great pride, Śacī restrains him; enough of patience—let the tree be taken by strength. Go quickly and convey my words to Paulomī: ‘Satyabhāmā speaks these words, so arrogant and bold. If you are your husband’s beloved, if your husband is under your sway, then prevent my husband from taking the tree. I know your husband is Śakra, lord of the gods; yet, though you are divine, I, a mortal woman, will take the Pārijāta tree from you.’” The guards, hearing her, went and relayed Satyabhāmā’s message to Śacī. Upon hearing this, Śacī stirred Indra, the lord of the gods, to action. Surrounded by the armies of all the gods, Indra set forth to contest Hari for the Pārijāta tree. The gods, equipped with iron clubs, swords, maces, spears, and excellent weapons, assembled with Śakra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, ready for battle. Govinda, seeing Śakra and the host of gods prepared for war, stood upon the king of serpents and surveyed the scene. He sounded his conch, its mighty blast resounding through all the quarters, and loosed volleys of sharp arrows by the thousands and tens of thousands. In response, the gods filled the directions and the sky with countless weapons and missiles, returning the challenge in the tumult of battle.