In the midst of a fierce battle, Dhundhukara aimed his arrows and struck Pradyota in the heart, felling him. Vidyota, Pradyota’s brother and a warrior of great strength, witnessed this tragedy. But soon Vidyota himself was struck down by three spears and collapsed unconscious to the earth. As the conflict raged, Krishna Kumara, mounted upon a mighty elephant, advanced swiftly into the fray. Yet he too was pierced by an arrow and, breathing his last, ascended to the city of heaven. Ratnabhanu, a hero renowned for his valor, fought alongside Krishna Kumara, and together they faced Lakshana, who joined them with fierce determination. Lakshana, wielding weapons of Rudra, confounded his powerful adversaries, but in the end, he and his companions overcame King Dhundhukara and the Vaishnavas. The two heroic warriors, equal in strength, stood atop elephants, battling with great skill and tenacity, each hard to conquer. When the mighty warrior was slain, the people of Kanyakubja were gripped by fear. Overcome by sorrow for their king, they abandoned the battlefield and returned to their homes, each frightened and seeking refuge in their own dwellings. Despite the turmoil, the king, strong and accompanied by seven hundred thousand troops, remained steadfast. In a similar manner, Bhishma, Parimala, and Lakshana approached their father. The victory of the king of the earth and the fame of Jayachandra in battle became renowned. Jayachandra, lord of Kanyakubja and Delhi, stood as the illustrious ruler. Meanwhile, Bhishma, like a lion, stood on the bank of the Ganga, devotedly worshipping Indra. At the end of the month, Indra, recognizing Bhishma’s supreme devotion, appeared before him. Bhishma prayed, “Grant me the divine mare, if you are pleased, O Lord.” Indra, the blessed, granted the request and then vanished. At this time, Parimala, absorbed in grief for his ancestors, was tested by Shiva himself, who afflicted him with a serpent-disease. Five months passed, and the king’s strength waned. For the sake of death, the king journeyed to Kashi with his wife. Meanwhile, a certain serpent dwelled at the root. The serpent, Rudraahi, spoke harshly: “You are merciless and dull-witted. This king is a fool; he would even drink molten copper directly! Every day, I experienced great delight in the king’s body. Yet this king, foolish, did not give warm oil.” The king, heeding the serpent’s words, offered warm oil and was freed from the disease. Then, a self-manifested linga appeared—eternal, shining like a thumb. At midnight, when darkness had enveloped the world, the linga radiated in all directions, like the sun. With recitations of the Mahimna hymn, the king praised the Lord of Girija. Hearing this, the king addressed the god: “If you are pleased, O great Lord—” Mahadeva, saying “So be it,” appeared in the form of a linga. Then Malas was satisfied and returned home. From that time, at the end of the year, he journeyed to Jayachandrapuri. By fortune, his disease was cured; by fortune, his face was restored. And whenever an obstacle arose for him, he knew he must attend to the divine, trusting in the blessings that had been bestowed.