Tilottama, with hands joined in reverence, bowed before Brahma, the Lord of beings. She addressed him respectfully, asking, “O Lord, for what purpose have I been created today? What would you have me do?” Brahma replied, “Go, O Tilottama, endowed with a form to be desired. Enchant the two Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda, O blessed one. By the power of your beauty, let enmity arise between them—this is your task.” Tilottama accepted the command, promising, “So be it.” She bowed to the Grandfather Brahma and, in respectful devotion, began to circumambulate the assembly of the gods. The Blessed Lord sat facing east, Maheshvara to the south, the gods to the north, and the sages were present all around. As Tilottama made her circuit, her radiance unsettled even the greatest among the gods. Indra and the Blessed Sthanu (Shiva) lost their composure, so captivated were they by her beauty. As she passed by, longing to see her, a new face with lotus-like eyes appeared on Sthanu’s right side. When she turned behind, a face appeared at his back; as she moved to the north, another face appeared there. For Mahendra, the mighty Indra, a thousand wide eyes, red at the corners, sprang up all over his body—at the back, sides, and front—so he could gaze upon her from every angle. Thus, in ancient times, Sthanu became four-faced, and Indra, the slayer of Bala, became thousand-eyed, all because of their desire to behold Tilottama’s beauty. In the same way, faces appeared for all the gods and great sages wherever Tilottama went. The gaze of these great souls fell upon her, all except for the Grandfather Brahma, who remained steadfast. As Tilottama departed, all the gods and supreme sages recognized that her beauty had accomplished the task set by Brahma. When she had gone, the illustrious Grandfather declared, “The task is done,” and dismissed the assembly of gods and sages. Meanwhile, the two Daitya brothers, Sunda and Upasunda, had conquered the earth. Free of rivals and all distress, they brought peace to the three worlds and believed their purpose fulfilled. They seized the treasures of gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Nagas, kings, and Rakshasas, and reveled in supreme satisfaction. With no one to oppose them, they lived without concern, enjoying themselves like the immortals. Surrounded by women, garlands, perfumes, abundant foods and delicacies, and delightful drinks, they indulged in every pleasure. Whether in inner chambers, gardens, mountains, or forests, they sported wherever they pleased, reveling in their power and freedom. One day, the brothers went for recreation upon a level stone terrace atop the Vindhya mountains, amidst blossoming śāla trees. In that divine place, where all pleasures were gathered, they sat side by side on splendid seats, attended by women. The women entertained them with music and dance, approaching joyfully with songs and praise. At that time, Tilottama appeared, gathering flowers in the forest. She wore a single red garment draped over her form. As she picked karṇikāra flowers along the riverbanks, she slowly approached the place where Sunda and Upasunda sat. The brothers, their eyes reddened with the intoxication of excellent wine, beheld her exquisite form and became agitated with desire. Rising from their seats, both overcome by passion, they went to where she stood, each seeking her for himself. Sunda seized her right hand, while Upasunda grasped her left. Intoxicated by the boons they had received, by their own strength, by pride in their wealth and jewels, and by the wine they had drunk, both were maddened by desire. They frowned at each other, their drunken passion turning to rivalry. Sunda declared, “She is my wife; she is your elder.” Upasunda countered, “She is my wife; she is your sister-in-law.” Anger seized them both, and their affection and friendship vanished in their frenzy over Tilottama’s beauty. Each claimed her for himself, and in their rage, they seized heavy maces, determined to win her. Shouting, “I first! I first!” they struck each other with the terrible weapons. Both fell to the ground, their bodies drenched in blood, like rival lions fallen from the sky. The women and the host of demons fled in terror, trembling and poisoned by fear, descending into the netherworld. At that moment, the Grandfather Brahma, together with the gods and great sages, arrived at the scene. The pure-hearted Brahma worshipped Tilottama and, pleased with her accomplishment, offered her a boon of her choosing. He said, “O radiant lady, you shall move among the worlds as the sun does. By your brilliance, no one will be able to gaze upon you.” Thus, granting her this boon, the Grandfather of all worlds entrusted the three worlds to Indra and returned to his own realm. And so, Sunda and Upasunda, united in all things until now, became enemies over Tilottama and destroyed each other. Out of affection for you, O best of the Bharatas, I have told you this tale of how the purpose was fulfilled through Tilottama’s beauty.