lk,
desirous of doing good to the three worlds. Arrived there, they began to
practise those austere penances that are declared by Brahman in the
Vedas. Those austerest of penances are known by the name of Mahaniyama
(the foremost vows and observances). They stood there with mind fixed,
immovable as posts of wood, and with eyes upturned and arms raised
upwards. For a thousand celestial years they were engaged in those severe
penances. At the conclusion of that period they heard these sweet words
in harmony with the Vedas and their branches.

"'"The blessed and holy one said, 'Ye deities and Rishis possessed of
wealth of asceticism, with Brahman in your company, after according you
all welcome, I say unto you these words. I know that is in your hearts.
Verily, the thoughts that engage you are for the good of the three
worlds. I shall increase your energy and strength investing the same with
Pravritti (predilection for acts). Ye gods, well have you undergone these
penances from desire of adoring me. Ye foremost of Beings, enjoy now the
excellent fruits of austerities which ye have gone through. This Brahman
is the Lord of all the worlds. Endued with puissance, he is the Grandsire
of all creatures. Ye also are foremost of deities. Do ye all, with
concentrated minds perform sacrifices for my glory. In the sacrifices
which you will perform, do ye always give me a portion of the sacrificial
offerings. I shall then, ye lord of creation, assign to each of you your
respective jurisdictions and ordain what will be for your good!'"

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of that God of gods, all
those deities and great Rishis and Brahman became filled with such
delight that the hair on their bodies stood on its end. They forthwith
made arrangements for a sacrifice in honour of Vishnu according to the
ordinances laid down in the Vedas. In that sacrifice, Brahman himself
dedicated a portion of the offerings to Vishnu. The deities and the
celestial Rishis also, after the manner of Brahman, dedicated similar
portions each unto the great God. The portions, thus offered with great
reverence unto Vishnu, were, in respect of both the measure and the
quality of the articles used, according to the ordinances laid down for
the Krita age. The deities and the Rishis and Brahman, in that sacrifice,
adored the great God as one endued with the complexion of the Sun, as the
foremost of Beings, situate beyond the reach of Tamas, vast, pervadi