When word reached the village of Daśagrāma about what had befallen Āhlāda, he and his family, their senses restrained and hearts heavy, endured hunger in silence. In their austerity, the goddess herself, pleased by their devotion, spoke to them with a bodiless, divine voice. She revealed that Jayanta, the son of Indra, had departed for the heavenly realms, but as long as Āhlāda remained on earth, so too would Jayanta dwell here. With these words from the compassionate goddess, their sorrow melted away. In gratitude and faith, they worshipped Śāradā, the goddess who pervades all worlds, reciting the Seven Hundred Hymn with loving devotion at the three sacred junctions of the day. Among them was a renowned brahmin’s son and sāmanta named Cāmuṇḍa. After twelve years had passed, he was born at the very moment when the Tricaritra was being recited. The goddess, ever nurturing, declared, “O devotees, I fill this vessel for you.” Sukhakhāni offered strength with honey, flowers, and fruits; Balakhāni likewise with meats; and Mūlaśarmā with red roots. At that time, Devakī worshipped with offerings, sandalwood, and other rituals. Āhlāda, with his whole being, and Udaya, with his own head, performed their acts of devotion. Moved by their faith, the affectionate goddess spoke gentle words to her followers. In time, Balakhāni, the great hero, met his death after a long and valiant life. Devakī herself became a goddess, dwelling in her own divine realm for many ages—one was declared divine, another stronger in spirit. Devasiṃha, free from desire, attained liberation at death. Thus concludes the fifteenth chapter of the Bhaviṣya Mahāpurāṇa, Pratisarga Parva, in the section recounting the Four Ages and the history of Kali Yuga. Now, O tiger among sages, listen to what has been seen through the vision of yoga. When King Ratnabhānu passed away, Marudhanva ascended as ruler of the earth. He worshipped the fire god with sacrifices, meditation, vows, and sacred rituals. The blessed Lord, pleased with his devotion, granted him a noble horse born of fire. Four beings born of fire appeared upon the earth, each eighteen years of age, as was a maiden radiant in beauty. The king of the Śārdūla lineage held a svayaṃvara, a ceremony for the maiden to choose her husband. It was the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa, the eighth day, a Monday. The maiden’s face, restless and luminous like lightning, shone brilliantly. Upon seeing the heroic suitor, she, like a pearl emerging from an elephant’s brow, was so overcome that she fainted. Many kings, including mighty Tāraka, arrived, armed with every weapon and missile. There were five hundred powerful rulers present. Tāraka, undaunted, struck down the divisions of troops that surrounded him from all sides. The king’s eldest son, witnessing the sword drawn, prepared for what would come. When the king’s army was defeated, only the mighty Balakhāni remained. Seeing his daughter being led away, King Gajasena was seized by anger. By the power of illusion, he bewildered the great hero who had slain Jambuka. In wrath, Gajasena swiftly bound him with strong iron shackles and summoned the fierce Caṇḍālas who dwelled nearby. These men, relentless and harsh, bound the hero and struck him without mercy.