A wondrous series of events unfolded, beginning with the presentation of a divine ornament. This sacred jewel was brought from Kubera himself and offered as a gift. Āhlāda, too, journeyed to the shore and presented his own ornament, adding to the splendor. As the cycles of time progressed, when the first cycle arrived, the mighty Tāraka took up a sword. In the second cycle, Nṛhari adorned the portion belonging to Kṛṣṇa, and as the cycles continued, he endured many hardships. Yet, in the fourth cycle, he found comfort, and the god, growing ever stronger, advanced steadily through the seventh cycle. During this period, a hundred kings assembled—each a sword-bearer and a leader of elephant armies. But when the king saw his great army of kings shattered and defeated, he was overtaken by intense anger. Nevertheless, the foremost among kings, skilled in the art of shooting arrows guided by sound, conquered formidable leaders like Netra and Simha. Holding Shiva firmly within his mind, this king vanquished and bound his adversaries, his wrath undiminished. When King Parimala heard of these events, he became fearful of Kṛṣṇa’s portion and departed. That unconquered portion of Kṛṣṇa then soared by the path of the sky, returning to the palace. At this time, the heroic Lakṣaṇa, having freed himself from his bonds, took the sacred texts and the palanquin and journeyed to the camp. Meanwhile, those who had been unconscious regained their senses, only to find that the hundred kings, along with their followers, had been slain and their blood flowed upon the earth. As the wedding festivities concluded, all the participants gathered at the various camps. After the noble warriors and their thousands of sons had eaten together, the mighty king slew a thousand heroes and once more bound the powerful ones. He then claimed a hundred thousand pieces of gold as his prize. O king, know that Lakṣaṇa, the son of Pradyota, was exceedingly mighty. Hearing of these deeds, Parimala, joined by all the kings, departed. The great and virtuous Velā lamented again and again, but after comforting her, he too departed by the path of the sky. Having threatened Lakṣaṇa, he joyfully took the token of arrival. Then, leaving behind the seven sons along with the king, they remained for ten nights, and at the end of that period, they prepared to depart. Yet, the mighty king, overwhelmed, seized the feet of the lord of the earth, pleading with him. “O great king, your bride is now twelve years of age. Therefore, you should leave her and return home; may you be happy.” Having spoken thus, the king, moved by affection, touched him on the lap. In turn, he touched the king of the earth, and that king was instantly reduced to dust. Both kings, their bones broken, were then treated by the skilled physicians of Pāvaka. Malanā, upon seeing her son returned home after his marriage, performed a sacred homa to Caṇḍikā, seeking her grace. In the assembly, as Lakṣaṇa prepared to depart, he spoke, “By Śiva’s command, two yogins arrived by the path of the sky.” These two, having defeated Lakṣaṇa and bewildered by intense fear, departed after bowing to him who had spoken thus, and the kings returned to their own realms. Once, on the shore of the lake called Sāgara, the mighty Indula was present. As he sat there, swans descended from the sky to the earth and spoke: “Blessed is he, of divine form. Sāgara is the greatest among cities and among lakes as well. O Indula, most wise, we reside at the lake of the mind. There, we saw an auspicious woman adorned with all ornaments. Upon seeing her, we were bewildered and journeyed to another land, for there is no one here equal to you, nor any suitor worthy of the lotus-like maiden. Therefore, you should ascend with us to see that goddess.