The kings who had gathered along the path, together with the chiefs of villages and the rulers of distant regions, all came under the sway of Tālana’s might. These intoxicated monarchs, proud of their power, were subdued by Tālana’s strength. After their conquest, they worshipped Rāmeśa—the form of Śiva established by Rāma himself—and then journeyed to the Nalinī ocean, where they settled and made their dwelling. Amidst these events, a message was sent: “O noble Āryasiṃha, hand over your sons who have crossed over; otherwise, I shall defeat you with my army and destroy your kingdom.” Hearing the challenge contained in this letter, the king—stronger than all others—prepared himself. Indula, with determination, invoked the mantra of immobilization and took up his supreme arrow. On that day, Sukhaśarmā, accompanied by his own force of three hundred thousand followers, made ready for battle. As night approached, the mighty son of Indra advanced with a hundred sons and a host of kṣatriya warriors. Their horses were of a striking green color, and they wore the garb of ascetics. After reaching the house, the son of Indra dwelled there contentedly with his companions. For six months, fierce war raged between the armies of both sides. Eventually, one commander, afflicted by deep mental distress, grew weary and averse to further fighting. Seeking counsel, he summoned Devasiṃha, the wise knower of past, present, and future, a great yogi of immense strength. Hearing the king’s plight, Devasiṃha spoke: “There is a certain son of Mahendra, skilled in all weapons and missiles, who comes at night and destroys your army. Therefore, with my help and that of Tālana, you must act swiftly to achieve victory; otherwise, you will fall to the abode of Yama.” Heeding Devasiṃha’s advice, the horse-warrior arranged his army upon ships, stationing half his force there. All the heroes, mounted on their horses, stood ready for battle. In the ensuing attack, they slew the guards and plundered the splendid city. The powerful portion of Kṛṣṇa’s essence entered the king’s inner chambers, where a beautiful woman, skilled in song and dance, was surrounded by seven attendants. By force, she was placed upon a palanquin, and the enemy’s house was plundered. Meanwhile, Balakhāni, powerful and accompanied by Devatālana, reached Sukhavarman—the commander of the enemy’s army—and his son. In the fierce combat that followed, the great hero was slain, and Jayanta, overcome with wrath, revived his brother-in-law Sukhavarman and returned home, astonished at all that had transpired. Jayanta then went to the house of Āryasiṃha to inquire about everything that had happened. Overcome with grief and passion, the hero wept bitterly for his beloved. After his lament, he mounted his mare and, alone and enraged, set out at night toward the enemy’s encampment. At that very moment, the mighty hero Balakhan arrived. He cried out in anguish, “Alas, Indula, great hero! Alas, my kinsman, bringer of joy! Grant me your vision quickly, O one with an auspicious face, accept me today!” Then, the mighty son of Indra arrived. Talana, the commander, seeing the army’s deployment, stood atop his lioness and roared loudly, like a lion: “O hero, victory will not be yours by the destruction of the army!” Hearing these words, the terrifying son of Indra, filled with fury, struck his own chest with his mace. Indula fainted, and as he did, the mare he rode took on a divine form. In haste, the boy seized the weapon of Time and his bow. When the commander was slain, Krishnaamsha—overcome with passion—was distraught. Indula, his eyes reddened with anger, took up the fire-missile and, acting swiftly, rushed toward the enemy, who in turn took up the wind-missile. Thus, the tide of battle surged on, the fate of warriors hanging in the balance as divine weapons clashed in the night.