Vaishampayana said;—Listen, O king, duly to the dignity of Vishnu as Viswa (the lord of protection) to that of Hari in the Satya Yuga, to that of Vaikunta amongst the gods, to that of Krishna amongst men, to that of Iswara, and to the motive of his various actions past and future (1–2). Although invisible the lord assumed forms (at various periods). Narāyana is the cause of all creations and is eternal (3). This Nārāyana assumed the form of Hari in the Krita Yuga. Brahmā, Indra, the moon, Dharma, Sukra and Vrihaspati are all the forms of Nārāyana (4). Yadu’s son Vishnu became the son of Aditi and passed by the name of king Indrāvaraja (5). For encompassing the destruction of the Daityas, Dānavas and Rākshasas, the enemies of the celestials, Nārāyana, out of favour, became the son of Aditi (6). This Supreme Soul created Brahmā in the days of yore. And that Prime Purusha, in the first Kalpa, created all the Prajāpatis (7). They, assuming various forms, became the founders of many most excellent Brāhmana families. From these high-souled ones emanated, the eternal Veda¹⁴⁵ consisting of various branches (8). I have thus recounted the names of the wonderful Vishnu. Now hear from me the subject that is worthy of being recounted (9). After the Asura Vitra had been slain and even when Satya Yuga was not over there took, place the world-renowned war with Tāraka (10). Being elated with success in war and assisted by the Gandharvas, Yakshas, Uragas, and Rākshasas the dreadful Dānavas engaged in an onslaught of the gods, (11). When all the weapons were destroyed in battle, they were about to be killed by the Dānavas. Accordingly being baffled they sought refuge with the omniscient, Lord Nārāyana, the God of protection (12). In the meantime were heard the dreadful mutterings of clouds pouring, showers of embers that covered the sky with, the-sun, moon and planets and that were accompanied by lightnings. And seven kinds of wind were driven against one another (13–14). Assailed by boiling water currents, the fall of lightnings and the winds, endued with the velocity of lightnings, and as if being consumed by them the earth began to emit terrible sounds. Thousands of fire-brands fell down from the sky. Cars began to fall down and go up. Beholding those portends the people were stricken with fear as they become at the termination of the four Yugas (15–17). The whole world was enveloped with darkness and nothing was visible. The ten cardinal points, being covered with darkness, did not became visible (18). It appeared as if the incarnate form of the night of the dark half of the month was veiled by the cloud of dissolution. The sun being overclouded the whole sky was enveloped with darkness (19). Dispersing these clouds together with darkness the Divine black-hued Hari displayed his celestial form (20). His body was dark-hued like a cloud and his hairs were black like collyrium. In his dark form Krishna appeared like a dark mountain (21). He put on a