O noble one, hear now the tale as it unfolded. The yogis, skilled in every kind of battle, spoke to the queen with assurance: "O queen, be at peace—your stores of barley and rice, kept safe within your house, shall be protected by our yogic army." Hearing these words, the queen—devoted and steadfast, her eyes as lovely as lotuses, her dark and beautiful form radiant—was deeply moved. At that time, the mighty king Durjaya, though powerful, was overcome by the portion of Krishna. The queen, Malana, upon hearing the yogis’ promise, was overwhelmed with love and devotion. All the women of the house, hearts rejoicing, sang praises of Krishna’s portion. They prepared themselves and stood together, protected by the auspicious rhythm of their clapping. Meanwhile, those valiant heroes, proud of their strength, arrived at Kirtisagara. The king, destroyer of his own lineage, recognized that a portion of Krishna had come among them. Yet, O great king, by the will of the yogis, all the women were seized and taken. The king’s own soldiers, cunning, came disguised in the garb of yogis to carry out their plans. Upon hearing of these dreadful events, the mighty Brahmananda was stirred to action. The quarrelsome king, with his army and heroic sons, prepared for war. Thus, a great battle arose on the earth between the two armies. Among the warriors, Lakshana—fearless and heroic, a lion among kings—stood forth. In the thick of battle, Lakshana defeated Kamasena, the god, with his valor. At the same time, the powerful Brahma captured Talana. Yet Lakshana, whose bow had been broken, was again bound by that mighty one. As the yogi army was thrown into confusion and fled in all directions, the lament arose: "Brahmananda has now come, bringing destruction to my army." With these words, the scattered forces were gathered and Brahmananda was brought before them. Then, Krishna’s portion—powerful and radiant—approached by the path of the sky. When Brahmananda fainted, the victors joyfully released their captives. With the yogi army defeated, Brahmananda, mighty in strength, was subdued. The king then arrived, his coming approved by the lord of the earth. There stood Nṛhara, fearless and valiant, and Mardana, too, both revealed in their true forms. Cāmuṇḍa then engaged in fierce battle with Kāmasena, their bows singing in contest. After cutting Kāmasena’s bow, Cāmuṇḍa closed in and a sword-fight began. Enraged and ready for battle, Abhaya confronted his foe, saying: "You are the son of the king of the earth, born of your maternal aunt. Why do you wish to destroy the supreme duty of kṣatriyas?" But undeterred, he struck his opponent on the head, and thus slain, the warrior ascended to heaven. Madana and the cowherd-born one were also slain. The mighty Saradana, known as the northern portion, brought Madana’s end in the north. Rūpaṇa, coming together with his forces, struck Mardana and caused him to lose consciousness. Brahmananda, powerful and angered, bound Tāraka in chains. Nṛhara met Rañajit in battle, but was struck down by his own arrow in a fit of anger. He, who was a portion of Duśśāsana, died and joined his kinsmen. With Nṛhara, his relative, slain, Mardana was consumed by wrath. Rañajit, the valiant hero born of Parimala, cut down his foes with great skill. When the hero Mardana was slain, the mighty Saradana pressed on. Rañajit, born of Malana, endured great hardship in the conflict. When three kinsmen had fallen in battle, Tāraka, overcome by anger, prepared to unleash his fury. Thus, the battle raged—brave warriors fell, heroes rose and were struck down, while the fate of the king’s house and the will of Krishna’s portion played out upon the field.