Today, the Goddess spoke to us—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—saying, “In this celestial chariot, I shall show you a wondrous sight.” Hearing her words, we replied, “Om,” and at once, we ascended into the chariot. It was a marvel: adorned with radiant jewels, draped with strings of pearls, and ringing sweetly with the sound of little bells. We entered that delightful chariot, which resembled the celestial mansions of the gods, and, without fear, took our seats. The Goddess, ever self-controlled, gazed upon us as we settled in. By her own divine power, she caused the chariot to rise up into the sky. From that lofty vantage, together with Hara and the others, we beheld the Goddess and gazed out upon a scene of breathtaking beauty. There were splendid trees bearing every kind of fruit, alive with the melodious songs of cuckoos. The earth below was a vision of delight, with its mountains, forests, and groves. We saw men and women, animals, sacred rivers, ponds, wells, and reservoirs, as well as marshes and waterfalls—life in all its forms. Then, before us, a magnificent city appeared, resplendent with divine ramparts, sacrificial halls, and many wondrous mansions. Upon seeing this city, we recognized it, and someone among us wondered aloud, “Is this heaven? Who created such a wondrous place?” We saw a radiant king, shining like a god, setting out to hunt in the forest, while Ambika stood above us in the chariot. In a moment, the chariot was swept onward by the wind, carrying us swiftly to another enchanting land. There, we beheld the splendid Nandana grove, perfumed and shaded by Parijata trees. Near the Goddess stood a four-tusked elephant, and groups of Apsaras, including Menaka and others, played joyfully. They sang and danced in many ways, accompanied by hundreds of Gandharvas, as well as Yakshas and Vidyadharas. In the midst of the Mandara garden, the celestial beings sang and delighted together. There, too, we saw mighty Indra with his queen Paulomi. We were filled with wonder at the sight of that heavenly realm, where the lord of the waters, Kubera, Yama, Surya, and Agni also appeared. Seeing the gods assembled there, our amazement only grew. Then, from that splendid city, the king emerged, unshakable like the king of the gods himself, standing on the earth with his great army. As we watched from the chariot, it swiftly moved onward. Soon, we arrived at the divine world of Brahma, revered by all the gods. There, upon seeing Brahma, both Hara and Keshava were astonished. In that assembly, all the Vedas with their branches appeared in their true forms, along with the oceans, rivers, mountains, and the serpents and nagas. The four-faced Brahma turned to me and asked, “Who is this eternal Brahma?” I replied, “I do not know the lord and master of creation.” Bewildered, I asked, “Who am I? Who is he? Why is there this confusion of mine, O lords?” Suddenly, the chariot, swift as the mind, began to tremble. It carried us to the summit of Kailasa, beautiful and attended by hosts of yakshas, in a delightful grove of mandara trees where peacocks and cuckoos called. The pleasing sounds of veenas and drums resounded, bringing joy and auspiciousness, and as soon as the chariot arrived, it halted at that blessed abode. There, the blessed Shambhu emerged, riding a bull, three-eyed, five-faced, and ten-armed, adorned with the crescent moon on his head. Clad in a tiger skin with an elephant hide as an upper garment, his two heroic sons stood by his heels—one with the face of an elephant, the other with six faces. Together with Shiva, his sons advanced, shining brilliantly, attended by Nandi and the great hosts of ganas. Their victory cries echoed as they proceeded behind Shiva. Seeing this other Shankara, O Narada, we were all astonished. Filled with doubt by the Mothers, I lingered there, O sage. Then, in a moment, the chariot sped away from that mountain peak, swift as the wind, and reached the abode of Vaikuntha, the dwelling of the beloved of Rama. There, my son, I beheld an unimaginable splendor. Vishnu himself was amazed upon seeing that supreme city. Hari, lotus-eyed, went to the front of the mansion, his form the hue of the flax flower, clad in yellow garments, four-armed, seated upon the king of birds, and adorned with divine ornaments. At that time, Lakshmi, the lovely one, gently fanned him with auspicious fans. Seeing that eternal Vishnu, we were all filled with wonder. Gazing at one another, we stood there upon that excellent seat, but suddenly, the chariot sped away again, swift as the wind. We arrived at the ocean of nectar, filled with sweet water and great waves, teeming with aquatic beings and adorned with moving waves. The scene was exceedingly beautiful, with mandara, parijata, and other celestial trees, furnished with various seats and adorned with many wondrous decorations. Garlands of pearls and other blossoms hung everywhere, and the groves were graced by aśoka, bakula, kurubaka, and other trees. All around were gentle ketakī and campaka trees, filled with the calls of cuckoos and pervaded by divine fragrances. The air was alive with the humming of bees, and the sight was most wondrous to behold. In that island stood a charming couch shaped like Śiva, exquisitely inlaid with jewels and adorned with precious stones. We saw it from afar, shining resplendent among the celestial palaces.