The valiant warriors, though battered and with only a handful surviving, gathered their courage and advanced once more into battle. Their faces were pale with fear, yet their skill with bow and arrow did not falter. As they pressed forward, a relentless shower of arrows descended upon them, and Krishna’s portion—the divine manifestation of Krishna—beheld their plight. With swift and precise action, Krishna’s portion severed their bows and restrained those warriors whose pride had soared high in the heat of battle. News of his sons’ captivity soon reached King Laharā, renowned as the best among kings. The king learned that his army was now surrounded by water, and in this dire situation, the mighty Jayanta took command, leading Laharā’s forces for many leagues. At that moment, the blessed god Varuṇa, lord of all aquatic beings, made his presence felt. Laharā himself, now calm and composed, recognized his own divine portion upon the earth. In gratitude and humility, he presented abundant wealth in many forms, circumambulating reverently again and again. Those divine portions, too, received Laharā’s great worship, which bestowed blessings and honor upon him. Thus, O Brahmin, have you heard the auspicious deeds of Krishna’s portion—deeds that inspire reverence and awe. Then, O foremost of Brahmins, the assembly implored, “Tell us the truth, for we consider you to be all-knowing.” Messengers were dispatched, and they faithfully reported all that had transpired—the events that led to the great battle. Upon hearing that his cavalry had been destroyed, King Parimala was deeply troubled. He was urged, “You, endowed with strength, must go to the land of Sindhu.” Meanwhile, Krishna’s portion, accompanied by the valiant Devasimha and ten thousand brave warriors, assembled for action. When dawn broke, the daughter of the garland-maker arrived. Krishna’s portion, filled with joy, performed worship to the deity, amidst wondrous sights—a place adorned with countless flowers, vibrant with the hum of intoxicated bees. As the air filled with fragrance, Pushpa, the garland-maker’s daughter, appeared to gather flowers. Her serene and radiant face shone with the luster of an Indra-nila gem. Krishna’s portion gazed at this auspicious woman in amazement, pondering whether she had descended from the heavens or was perhaps a serpent maiden in disguise. Hearing his wonder, the garland-maker’s daughter spoke: “With this flower, O king, even the daughter of the king is equaled. Sought by the gods, this maiden is endowed with beauty and youth. Listen now, O king, to the tale of how Makaraṇḍa came to be. “On earth, none can defeat you except for Kṛṣṇāṃśa. He established a kingdom—a cloud of righteousness—beloved of Hari. From the fire, he begot a pair, one with a beautiful face. When Makaraṇḍa, strong and radiant, reached five years of age, and then at twelve, a stone-formed, swift, and mighty force arose, destroying enemy armies. This beautiful, divine forest of his is worshipped by the gods.” These words moved Kṛṣṇāṃśa deeply, stirring love in his heart. Devasiṃha, wise and discerning, realized that a delusion had arisen within Kṛṣṇāṃśa. Together, they became absorbed in this state, their minds captivated. At the end of the month, they returned home, and Kṛṣṇāṃśa reported everything to the king. Now under the sway of love’s delusion, Kṛṣṇāṃśa earnestly praised the Mother of the Universe, saying, “Protect me, tormented by Kāma; awaken Puṣpavatī. O slayer of Mahiṣāsura, who bewildered Madhu and Kaiṭabha, O destroyer of Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, who burned Dhūmralocana, O you who drank the blood of Raktabīja, ever terrifying to all demons—grant me your grace!