The battle raged fiercely, with warriors displaying remarkable skill and proving difficult to overcome. Yet, when the mighty champion fell, the people of Kanyakubja were gripped by fear. Overwhelmed by sorrow for their king, they abandoned the battlefield and returned home, each seeking refuge in their own dwelling, frightened by the king’s fate. Despite this, the king himself remained powerful, surrounded by seven hundred thousand troops. In the same way, Bhishma, Parimala, and Lakshana approached their father, reflecting on the king’s victory and the fame Jayachandra had won in battle. Jayachandra, lord of the earth, ruled over Kanyakubja and Delhi. Bhishma, standing like a lion on the banks of the Ganga, devotedly worshipped Indra. At the end of the month, Indra, recognizing Bhishma’s supreme devotion, appeared before him. Bhishma humbly requested, “Grant me the divine mare, if you are pleased, O Lord.” Indra granted his wish and vanished from sight. Meanwhile, 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 grew weak. Seeking release from his suffering, he journeyed to Kashi with his wife. At the root of a tree, a serpent named Rudraahi dwelled. Rudraahi spoke harshly: “You are merciless and dull-witted. This king is a fool; he would even drink molten copper directly! Each day, I delighted in the king’s body. Yet, he failed to offer warm oil.” The king listened to the serpent’s advice and, doing as instructed, was freed from the disease. At that moment, a self-manifested linga appeared—eternal and resembling a thumb. At midnight, as darkness enveloped the world, the linga shone radiantly in all directions, like the sun. With recitations of the Mahimna hymn, the king praised the Lord of Girija. Hearing these praises, the king addressed the god: “If you are pleased, O great Lord…” Mahadeva, saying “So be it,” appeared in the form of the linga. Malas, satisfied, returned to his great house. At the year’s end, he journeyed to Jayachandrapuri. There, it was said, “By fortune, your disease has been cured; by fortune, your face has been revealed. Whenever an obstacle arises for me, you must attend to me.” Then, the heroic Lakshana approached the blessed lord, the husband of Usha. Within half a lunar month, Vishnu, Lord of the Universe, the husband of Usha, responded to Lakshana’s humble prayers. Hearing his words, Jagannatha drew power from Airavata, the divine elephant. Lakshana, mounting Airavati, returned home. Meanwhile, heroes such as Talanada, intoxicated with pride, dwelled together with him, forming great affection. They said to him, “Hear, O king, we are going to the cities; granting authority to our sons, we will then come to you.” Thus addressed, they returned again to their own homes. The heroic Talanada entrusted the city of Varanasi to his sons. And so, through adversity and divine grace, the kings and heroes found renewal, their cities and families guided by the blessings of gods and the wisdom of tradition.