From the Supreme, who was never before and whose highest state is that of Viṣṇu, arise all divine powers—even those of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva themselves. Recognizing this, the assembled gods and sages, led by Brahmā, addressed Viṣṇu with reverence: “O Lord of all, soul of all beings, refuge of all, imperishable one, be gracious to your devotees. Reveal your form to us, your devotees.” Upon hearing these words, Brahmā and the gods bowed deeply, imploring, “Be gracious, come into our sight.” They acknowledged that even the blessed Brahmā does not know that supreme state; they bowed to Viṣṇu, the sustainer in whom all abides, the imperishable one. When their supplication ended, Brahmā, the gods, and the divine sages led by Bṛhaspati spoke together, praising Viṣṇu as the first, the origin of sacrifice, the ancestor of all, the creator and unqualified source of the world. “O Blessed Lord, Lord of past and future, bearer of the form of the universe, imperishable one, be gracious to those who bow; grant us a vision of yourself.” They listed those gathered: Brahmā, Rudra with three eyes, all the Ādityas, Pūṣā, Pāvaka with the fires, the Ashvins, the Vasus, Sāva, the hosts of Maruts, the Sādhyas, the Viśve Devas, and Devendra, lord of the gods. All these hosts, defeated by the Daityas’ armies, had come seeking refuge, bowing in reverence. Thus praised, O Maitreya, the Supreme Lord appeared before them, bearing the bow Śārṅga and the discus. The gods beheld him: holding bow, discus, and mace, his form and stature unprecedented, a mass of radiant energy. With eyes wide in awe, the gods, led by Brahmā, bowed and praised the lotus-eyed one. “Salutations to you, the undifferentiated one. You are Brahmā, you are Śiva (wielder of Pināka), you are Indra, Agni, Vāyu, Varuṇa, Sūrya, and Yama. You are the Vasus, Maruts, Sādhyas, and all the hosts of gods. This assembly of deities has come near you, O Lord. You alone are the creator of the universe, all-pervading; you are the sacrifice, the syllable vaṣaṭ, the sacred syllable oṃ, and Prajāpati. You are both the knower and the known, the soul of all; the entire universe is pervaded by you. O Viṣṇu, conquered by the Daityas, we have come to you for refuge. O soul of all, be gracious; replenish our strength with your energy. May our suffering, desires, delusion, and sorrow remain only until we reach your refuge. Until we reach you, destroyer of all sins, as our refuge, show your favor to us who have surrendered. O Lord of all radiance, restore the strength of all by your own power.” Thus praised by the gods who had bowed down, Hari, the creator of the universe, with a gracious gaze, spoke: “O gods, I will restore your strength. Tell me, what should be done by you?” The gods replied, and Hari instructed: “Bring together all the herbs with the Daityas to the ocean of milk; use Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vāsuki as the rope. Let the gods, with my assistance, churn the ocean; let the Daityas, with conciliation, also join in this work of cooperation. You will be told that you are to share the common fruits; and whatever nectar arises when the ocean is churned—by drinking that, you gods will become strong and immortal. I will act so that the gods alone, not the Daityas, will obtain the nectar, while the others will only gain toil.” Thus addressed, the gods made a pact with the asuras and strove together for the nectar. Gathering various herbs, the gods, daityas, and danavas cast them into the waters of the Milk Ocean, shining like autumn clouds and creepers. Using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vasuki as the rope, they began to churn vigorously for the nectar. By Krishna’s arrangement, all the gods took hold of Vasuki’s tail, while the daityas were stationed at his head. Struck by the fire from Vasuki’s breath upon his hoods, all the asuras lost their energy and became dispirited that day. Meanwhile, the wind from Vasuki’s mouth formed thick clouds that rained at the tail end, refreshing the gods. In the midst of the Milk Ocean, Lord Hari himself, in the form of a tortoise, became the base for the churning mountain. Assuming another form among the gods, bearing the discus and mace, he pulled the king of serpents; and among the daityas, he took yet another form. With a vast form, Keshava supported the mountain from above; and with yet another form unseen by gods and asuras, he invigorated the king of serpents and strengthened the gods. As the gods and daityas churned the Milk Ocean, the revered Surabhi, the giver of offerings, first arose. The gods rejoiced, and the daityas too, but their minds were agitated and their eyes bewildered. As those of pure faith in heaven wondered, “What is this?” Varuni, the goddess, appeared, her eyes rolling from intoxication. Then, from the swirling of the ocean, spreading fragrance throughout the world, Parijata, the divine tree of threefold delight, arose.