When the reaction to the offense of committing sin on the strength of atonement was destroyed by meditation on the Lord, he was invited back to Svarga by the brāhmaṇas. The sin of killing a brāhmaṇa, depleted of its strength by Śiva, guardian of the northeast, could not overcome him, since he was also protected by Lakṣmī, who lives in the lotus. He went back to Svarga by the words of Brahmā and the brāhmaṇas, who said, “We will have you perform a horse sacrifice.” Ṛtambharaḥ means “one who preserves truth, Viṣṇu.” The offense of committing sin on the strength of atonement is called aghah in this verse. The sin of killing a brāhmaṇa is called pāpaḥ. Masculine gender instead of neuter is poetic license. Śiva is the guardian of the northeast direction. Lakṣmī resides in the lotuses of Mānasa Sarovara.