Padmākara, skilled in all magical arts, listened intently to the events unfolding and, using his powers, confined his adversary within his own house, locking him away in a stone prison. By the boon granted by the goddess, Devasimha, during the night and at the waxing of the moon, gathered with others who had spoken, and they were united with him. Upon hearing of these developments, Padmākara enacted the powerful magic of Śambara. Meanwhile, Indula fitted an excellent arrow to his bow, preparing for battle. All the mighty warriors were awakened by the weapon of Kāma, stirring their hearts and spirits for conflict. The enemy armies surged forth, unleashing destruction upon everything in their path. King Sharadānanda arrived at the scene and, showing respect, bowed to the assembled warriors. He offered them a variety of foods and splendid ornaments as tokens of his esteem. His own daughter, devoted to preparing copious amounts of rice, and Lakṣaṇa, came to the house on the eighth day of the dark half of Māgha. Jayachandra, upon seeing Lakṣaṇa, was overwhelmed by love and, in his joy, bestowed further gifts—cows, garments, and ornaments. The Sūta then spoke, recounting that the king had obtained a boon from Śaṅkara by worshipping the lord of kings. With a great retinue numbering seven lakhs, he journeyed to the city called Śirīṣa. In response, Sukhakhāni, enraged, marched out with an army of a hundred thousand. Armed with a fiery weapon, the powerful Sukhakhāni slew ten thousand foes, declaring, “Today I will kill you, or you will slay me in battle.” Hearing this challenge, the king took up his bow and a fierce weapon. Sukhakhāni then prepared a missile of fire to subdue him, but after accomplishing its task, the weapon returned to Śiva's quiver. Taking up his brother's enmity, the king struck down the enemy forces, and, witnessing the superiority of these forces, he was bewildered. At a distance of a krosha, twelve pits were dug. Having conquered the heroes, the king leapt across these twelve pits. Upon hearing the king’s pleasing and truthful words, the great hero, seeing the pits, slew hundreds upon hundreds of warriors. Then Cāmuṇḍa arrived, equipped with a multitude of arrows, and struck down the mighty divisions and the great army arrayed against him. Yet, there was a thirteenth pit, cleverly hidden and covered with grass and earth. Into this concealed pit, the hero fell, along with a pigeon, both deluded by fate. There, the foot of the lotus-born son of Vatsa was torn, and with his own feet, he struck at the king’s army. Then Cāmuṇḍa arrived and, with decisive force, struck off the head of Balakhāna. Gajamuktā, upon hearing of her husband’s death, placed him upon the funeral pyre. At this moment, Brahmā, accompanied by his own wife, came to the site. The king, filled with wrath, reduced the city to ashes, leaving it utterly desolate. Always fond of conflict, the king then went to the festival of serpents. There, he witnessed the serpent festival, alive with song and dance. O king, in the village of Mahāvatī, amidst the waters of Kīrtisāgara, he was instructed to go and do exactly as directed. Obedient, the king, accompanied by Dhuṃdhukāra, arrived in the Śirīṣa forest and made his dwelling there. The lord of the earth, full of reverence, bowed to the king of the lunar dynasty, marking the next stage of his journey.