O Yudhishthira, listen as I recount in detail this ancient tale, just as it happened, concerning you and your brothers. In the mighty lineage of the asura Hiranyakashipu, there was once a radiant and powerful lord of the Daityas named Nikumbha. He had two sons, Sunda and Upasunda, who were both of immense strength and terrible valor—lords among the Daityas, fierce and cruel in their intentions. These two brothers were inseparable, always united in resolve and purpose. They shared equally in joy and sorrow, never eating or speaking without the other, each doing only what pleased his brother and speaking only what was dear to him. So alike were they in character and conduct that it was as if one being lived in two forms. As they grew in might, their unity in every action became even more profound. With a single-minded determination to conquer the three worlds, Sunda and Upasunda undertook a great vow of asceticism. Initiated into their purpose, they journeyed to the Vindhya mountains, where they commenced fierce austerities. For a long time they persevered, becoming emaciated from hunger and thirst, weary, and dressed in garments of bark with matted hair. Their bodies became covered in filth as they subsisted on air alone, even offering their own flesh as oblation. Standing on the tips of their toes, with arms raised and eyes unblinking, they maintained their vow steadfastly for a long time. The power of their austerities was so immense that the Vindhya mountain itself, tormented by their penance, began to emit wondrous smoke. Witnessing this, the gods became greatly afraid. To hinder the brothers’ penance, the gods created many obstacles. They tempted Sunda and Upasunda with jewels and beautiful women, but the two remained unwavering in their vow. The gods then conjured even more powerful illusions—sisters, mothers, wives, and even their own children appeared before them, dragged away and scattered by a demon with a spear, their ornaments and hair in disarray, their garments and jewelry fallen. All these women cried out, “Save us!” but Sunda and Upasunda, steadfast in their resolve, were not moved. When neither brother was disturbed or distressed, all those women and beings vanished as if they had never been. Seeing their unwavering determination, the Grandfather of all, Lord Brahma himself, appeared before the two great asuras. For the good of the worlds, he offered them a boon. Sunda and Upasunda, seeing the god Grandfather, stood before him with joined palms and spoke together: “If, O Grandfather, you are pleased with our austerity, let both of us become immortal, skilled in illusion and weapons, strong and able to assume any form at will.” Brahma replied, “Except for immortality, everything else you desire shall be granted. Choose another boon, for immortality is not ordained even among the immortals. The great austerity you have undertaken with the thought, ‘We shall become powerful,’ is the reason immortality cannot be granted to you. You have performed this austerity with the aim of conquering the three worlds; for this reason, O lords of the Daityas, I do not grant your desire.” Then Sunda and Upasunda said, “Of all that exists in the three worlds, whether moving or unmoving, let there be no fear for us from anything except each other, O Grandfather.” Brahma granted their request: “What you have asked, so shall it be. And this arrangement regarding your death shall also come to pass as it should.” Having bestowed the boon, Brahma caused them to end their austerities and returned to his own world. Now invulnerable to all the worlds, Sunda and Upasunda returned to their abode, their desires fulfilled. Seeing them thus, their friends and people were filled with great joy. The brothers broke their matted locks and adorned themselves with crowns, splendid ornaments, and spotless garments. They turned every night of the new moon into a perpetual festival, and the Daityas rejoiced endlessly. “Let there always be eating, enjoyment, giving, and delight; let there be singing and drinking!”—such was the joyous sound in every house. The city of the Daityas rang with celebration, music, and the clapping of hands. With various amusements, the Daityas, capable of assuming any form they wished, played together for years as if it were but a single day. But when the festival ended, the two brothers, their ambition for the three worlds burning anew, consulted together and ordered their army to prepare. With the blessing of their friends, the elder Daityas, and their ministers, they performed the departure rites at night, during the auspicious Magha constellation, and set out. Armed with maces, shields, spears, and clubs, Sunda and Upasunda marched at the head of their great and armored Daitya host. With auspicious songs, praises, and hymns for victory sung by the Charanas, the brothers departed joyfully. Able to travel as they wished, they leapt into the sky, intoxicated with the power of their boon, and made their way to the abode of the gods. Aware of their coming and the boon they had received, the gods abandoned heaven and fled to the world of Brahma. Sunda and Upasunda, fierce in might, conquered the realm of Indra, defeated the hosts of Yakshas and Rakshasas, and even slew the beings that moved in the sky. Thus, their power and dominion spread throughout the three worlds.