Taking up his brother’s enmity, the valiant warrior struck down the enemy’s forces with fierce determination. The king, witnessing this, was bewildered by the overwhelming superiority of his opponent’s troops. At a distance of a krosha, twelve pits were dug, a cunning trap laid in anticipation of the battle’s outcome. Having conquered the assembled heroes, the mighty warrior leapt across all twelve pits in a single bound. When he heard those pleasing, truthful words spoken by the king, the great hero surveyed the pits and, undaunted, slew hundreds upon hundreds of warriors who opposed him. At that moment, Cāmuṇḍa arrived, equipped with a multitude of arrows. He struck down the mighty divisions and the great army belonging to his adversary. Yet, hidden from sight was a thirteenth pit, cleverly covered with grass and earth. Into this concealed pit the hero fell, accompanied by a pigeon, both deluded by fate. There, the foot of the lotus-born son of Vatsa was torn, but even wounded, with his own feet he struck the king’s army. Then Cāmuṇḍa arrived once more and struck off the head of Balakhāna. Upon hearing of her husband’s death, Gajamuktā placed him upon the funeral pyre, mourning his passing. Then Brahmā himself, together with his own wife, came to that place. The king, now consumed by wrath and sorrow, reduced the city to ashes, leaving it desolate. Always fond of conflict, the king went to the festival of serpents. There, he saw the serpent festival accompanied by song and dance. O king, in the village of Mahāvatī, amidst the waters of Kīrtisāgara, he was directed to go and do exactly as instructed. Hearing this, the king, accompanied by Dhuṃdhukāra, arrived in the Śirīṣa forest and made his dwelling there. The lord of the earth bowed to the king of the lunar dynasty. O king, the lord of the earth has come, seeking battle, and stands before you; after worshipping the divine liṅga, he intends to seize it by force. Therefore, together with your own forces and with me, O wise one, prepare for battle. Hearing these words, King Parimala, mighty and under the sway of fate, rose to action. He slew five thousand valiant Kshatriya warriors who lay upon the field. Rising up in haste, the great king fastened his belt, ready for combat. As the two armies clashed fiercely, Malana, longing for a son, prayed fervently. “O goddess, O great goddess, destroyer of all suffering,” she cried. Having recited the mantra ten thousand times, and performed oblations and offerings, it was foretold that a great calamity would befall Malana; she would perish—yet the goddess urged, “Do not grieve.” Having spoken thus, the goddess Sharada departed towards the portion of Krishna, saying, “She will soon perish, therefore you must rescue her.” Hearing the goddess’s words, the hero was filled with wonder. But Malana, having heard those dreadful words, accompanied by Svarnavati, was overcome with sorrow. Krishnamsa, then sorrowful, spoke to Devasimha. Hearing that, together with him, endowed with auspicious marks, Talana—a portion of Bhimasena and noble-minded commander of the army—joined them. Having reached the field of Kalpaksha, those yogis became present there. Krishnamsa, Talana, and the god Lakshana, all of great strength, stood ready. For seven days, a fierce battle took place between the two sides, with death ever increasing. On that day, O greatly fortunate one, a great battle occurred. Seeing his army defeated, King Parimala, mighty and resolute, stood amidst the chaos, his fate yet unfolding.