O embodiment of victory, pure as countless aeons, form of bliss—salutations to you, O Vasudeva. I bow before you. Again, I offer my salutations to you in your form as Varaha. O Lord, source of the universe, I bow yet again. Salutations to Shiva, whose form is singular and unique. Pleased by these reverent praises, the Lord smiled with delight and granted a boon. The boon requested was clear and heartfelt: “I choose you alone as my son, for the welfare of the gods.” Having granted this immeasurable blessing, the Lord vanished on the spot. Thereafter, the mother of the gods herself conceived Narayana within her. But as this divine event unfolded, terrible omens began to manifest in the city ruled by Bali, the son of Virocana. The aged asura Prahlada, seeing these signs, bowed respectfully and approached the grandsire. He asked, “What are these omens? What should we do? For what reason have they arisen?” After bowing to Hrishikesha, he spoke further, seeking understanding. It was revealed: the mother of the gods bore this divine being for the destruction of the asuras and the protection of the dwellers of heaven. Vasudeva had entered his mother’s body for the sake of the gods. Vishnu himself, by his own will, entered the body of Aditi on that very day. The great yogi, the ancient One, Hari, had descended. He, whose form is the very essence of being, was born as a portion of Vishnu. Maya, the blessed Lakshmi, and Janardana had all descended as well. From a portion of Vishnu, even Brahma, the sustainer of existence, was born. It was counseled: “Seek refuge in him alone, and you will attain peace.” Thus, the one who had taken refuge in the Lord protected the universe according to righteousness. From Kashyapa and Aditi, the mother of the gods, was this divine being born. He appeared, radiant and adorned with splendor, dark as a raincloud. Upendra, surrounded by Indra, the foremost gods, Brahma, and the seers, shone brilliantly. Demonstrating proper conduct to the three worlds as taught by Bharadvāja, whatever standard he established, the world followed. Through sacrifices, the gods worshipped Vishnu, the lord of sacrifice, who pervades all things. The Brahmarshis assembled at the sacrificial ground of the great-souled one. There, assuming the diminutive form of Vāmana, he arrived at the place of sacrifice—a brāhmaṇa with matted hair, reciting the Vedas, his body adorned with sacred ashes. Vāmana approached Bali and requested from him a measured portion of land, just three steps of his own feet. Having ritually purified himself, Bali took a golden ladle and poured out water, cool and pure, to seal his promise. Desiring to fulfill this act, he who had sought refuge prepared himself. Those perfected beings who dwell in that world witnessed these events. Bali, having fulfilled his promise, again attained divine abodes. She who was established in the sky was called Gaṅgā by Brahmā. Seeing Vāmana here and there, the gods praised him. With their minds and hearts, the gods bowed down to him, honoring his divine presence.