Seeing through the king’s cunning nature, the king himself spoke with calculated words, “Bind your sister’s beloved and quickly release your own kinsman.” Acting swiftly, he marched upon the city in anger, laying siege and preparing the fierce Saurama weapon, intent on destruction. As the weapon was readied, Brahmānanda, mighty in strength, found joy in the unfolding events. Witnessing this, fear overcame the king, and he sought refuge with Brahmānanda. But Brahmānanda, speaking with subtle guile, said, “O king, my kinsman has suffered at your hands; therefore, give me your son, together with your sister, O ruler.” Hearing these words, the king, humbled in spirit, agreed. Thus did Vīrasena surrender both his own son and Candrāvalī. Brahmānanda, powerful and accompanied by Kṛṣṇāṃśa, departed. Malana, upon seeing her son, trembled with overwhelming love. Thus, O brāhmaṇa, you have heard the auspicious tale of Kṛṣṇāṃśa. On the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Īṣa, the king held a grand festival. He honored the foremost brāhmaṇas with food and generous gifts. In the sacred month of Kārtika, Kṛṣṇāṃśa, endowed with great strength, gathered tens of thousands of heroes and bestowed gold in equal measure. At that time, Citrarēkhā arrived. Upon the waters of the Ganges, a splendid vehicle, wrought by illusion, appeared. Kings from distant lands, accompanied by hundreds of warriors, gathered eagerly to witness this marvel. Citrarēkhā, the enchanting daughter of the king of Vahika—she who had shared happiness with him in a blissful dream—recognized him as the son of Ahlada, born from the body of Abhinanda. During the beautiful svayamvara, she claimed him as her own and departed, filled with supreme joy. Kṛṣṇāṃśa, realizing what had happened, found that his own child was nowhere to be seen. Even Devasimha, though wise in the ways of time, was bewildered by the wondrous illusion. Seeing Devasimha’s astonishment, the powerful Krishnamsaka listened to his weeping. The wicked king there, after much lamentation, spoke humbly: “Your brother, Udaya, deceived the two with intoxication. I myself witnessed what that hero accomplished.” Devasimha, though discerning, could not fathom what had transpired. Meanwhile, the two heroes arrived, weeping in sorrow. Ahlada, certain in his understanding and having heard the king’s words, kept the truth from his mother, wife, and sister, who, afflicted by love and sorrow, remained unaware, for he himself was lost in the bewilderment of illusion. Queen Pushpavati, seeing her husband tormented by his brother, grieved deeply. Though Krishnamsa was blameless, he suffered great reproach. “Death and abandonment are to be regarded as equal,” she counseled. “Consider carefully what is right.” The king then summoned the outcastes and commanded them to seize the slayer of his own son, saying, “Pluck out his eyes and bring them to me at once.” Devasimha, however, approached the outcastes and offered them a great sum of wealth. Meanwhile, Gajamukta, the devoted wife of Balakhana, remained steadfast beside her husband. The outcastes, having gathered, delivered the accused to Mriganetra, declaring, “Shame on you, sinner! My friend has been harmed by you.” Yet, a glimmer of hope remained: “Your son is alive upon the earth; go and search for him.” So saying, the hero set forth toward the auspicious city known as Shirishā.