Kings of great renown, such as the formidable Tāraka, gathered, each equipped with every weapon and missile at their command. Among them stood five hundred mighty rulers, their presence alone enough to inspire awe on the battlefield. Surrounded on all sides by divisions of well-armed troops, Tāraka unleashed his strength and struck down the forces encircling him. Amidst this chaos, the eldest son of the king witnessed the sword drawn in earnest combat. As the king’s army faltered and was ultimately defeated, the valiant Balakhāni remained steadfast, refusing to flee. Meanwhile, King Gajasena, seeing his daughter depart, was overcome with emotion. Using powerful illusions, he bewildered the great hero who had previously slain Jambuka. In his anger, Gajasena swiftly bound this hero in strong iron shackles and summoned the fierce Caṇḍālas who dwelled nearby. These fierce men, after binding the hero, struck him relentlessly. But Balakhāni, undeterred, turned upon the Caṇḍālas and struck them down. When five hundred of these fierce ones had fallen, the remainder fled in terror. The king, realizing the cause of this devastation, saw that Balakhāni—though mighty—had been bound hand and foot by the Caṇḍālas. He addressed him, saying, “O mighty hero, you were bound by the Caṇḍālas. My daughter has now arrived at your house, and by fortune, you have returned to life.” Hearing these dear words, the hero praised the king and acted as he was instructed. Thereafter, Vedic rites were performed in a grand pavilion for the purpose of marriage. By the king’s command, Gajasena, the servant of fire, recorded the event. Thus, the marriage of Balakhan was celebrated, accompanied by the presence of his army. In the night, Balakhan the mighty was born. He was made to drink poison, but due to an auspicious boon, he did not die; yet again, he was bound with chains and beaten with canes. The poison’s effect was expelled from his body through his blood. Addressing the king, someone asked, “O king, why does your army delight in beating? Having endured such torment, he should now be released.” When these words reached the king, Gajamukta arrived. The king then said to his son, “Go quickly to your own house.” Upon hearing these grave words, Balakhan the mighty surrounded himself with five hundred heroes, all armed and ready. At that moment, Gajasena’s eldest son, radiant like the sun, arrived. Seeing her husband thus gone, Gajamukta was greatly distressed. Weeping, she brought out her husband and comforted him with a fan. Meanwhile, the hero Ahlada arrived, leading an immense force of seven hundred thousand. Balakhan emerged from the pit and laid siege to the city. Radiant as the sun, he was accompanied by three hundred thousand horses. A tremendous battle erupted between the two armies, raging without pause through day and night. On the second day, Gajasena, mighty in strength, set fire to the opposing army, which was guarded by Tālana and others. Seeing his forces reduced to ashes, Tālana stood his ground, facing the enemy. When news spread that the king had fallen unconscious, Sūryadyuti came forth to the battlefield. At that moment, the two heroic gods, Ahlāda and Kṛṣṇaka, appeared. Learning that his brother was bound, Kṛṣṇāṃśa mounted a beautiful horse, rescued him, and gathered his radiance. Then, the entire force of seven hundred thousand shone like fire itself. Half of Gajasena’s army was destroyed by their might, and in the end, the king, having attained victory, joyfully returned home.