O devotees, listen with reverence as the sacred tale unfolds. The Divine, ever compassionate, filled a vessel for her beloved followers, bestowing her blessings upon them. Sukhakhāni, strong and steadfast, offered gifts of honey, fragrant flowers, and luscious fruits. Balakhāni, too, made his offerings, presenting meats, while Mūlaśarmā brought forth red roots as his tribute. At that time, Devakī devoted herself to worship with offerings, sandalwood, and other sacred rites, honoring the goddess with deep faith. Āhrāda, with the dedication of his entire being, and Udaya, offering his own head, performed their acts of devotion. Seeing such sincere and varied offerings, the goddess—overflowing with affection for her devotees—spoke gentle words to her faithful followers. With the passage of time, Balakhāni, the great hero, met his end. Devakī, blessed by her devotion, attained divinity and dwelled in her own celestial realm for ages; one was proclaimed divine, the other stronger. As for Devasiṃha, free from all desires, he attained liberation upon his 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. After the death of King Ratnabhānu, Marudhanva ascended the throne and ruled the earth. He worshipped Agni, the fire god, with sacrifices, meditation, vows, and sacred rituals. Pleased by his devotion, the blessed Lord bestowed upon him a noble horse born of fire. Four such beings, born of fire, appeared upon the earth, each radiant with youth, all being eighteen years of age. There was also a maiden, luminous and beautiful, herself eighteen years old. The king of the Śārdūla lineage held a svayaṃvara for her, choosing the auspicious bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa, on the eighth day, a Monday. The maiden’s face shone with the restless brilliance of lightning, and upon seeing the heroic prince, she was overcome and fainted, like a pearl dropped from an elephant. Many kings, including mighty Tāraka, arrived, equipped with every weapon and missile. Five hundred powerful rulers gathered, their armies formidable. Tāraka, valiant and indomitable, struck down the divisions of troops surrounding him on all sides. Witnessing the sword drawn, the king’s eldest son prepared himself, but when the royal army was routed, only the mighty Balakhāni remained steadfast. King Gajasena, seeing his daughter departing, was seized by anger. Through illusion, he bewildered the great hero who had slain Jambuka, and swiftly bound him with strong iron shackles. He summoned the fierce Caṇḍālas who dwelled nearby. These men, having bound Balakhāni, struck him relentlessly. Yet, Balakhāni, seeing the Caṇḍālas, rose up and struck them down. When five hundred of the fierce ones fell, the rest fled in terror. The king, understanding the cause, bound Balakhāni hand and foot, though he was mighty. O mighty hero, you were bound by the Caṇḍālas, yet fate had other plans. The king’s daughter arrived at Balakhāni’s house, and by fortune, Balakhāni returned to life. Hearing these dear words, Balakhāni praised the king and acted as was proper. Vedic rites were performed in the marriage pavilion, sanctifying the union. By the king’s command, Gajasena, servant of fire, recorded all that transpired. Thus, the marriage of Balakhan took place, accompanied by his army. In the night, Balakhan the mighty was born. He consumed poison, but did not die, protected by an auspicious boon. Yet again, he was bound with chains and beaten with canes, but his destiny, blessed by the divine, remained unbroken.