Hearing those dreadful words, Brahmananda—mighty in strength—prepared himself for the challenge ahead. At the same time, the quarrelsome king, supported by his formidable army and heroic sons, readied his own forces. Between these two sides, a great and terrible battle erupted upon the earth, with both armies clashing in fury. Amidst the chaos, Lakshana, fearless and heroic, stood out like a lion among kings. In the thick of battle, Lakshana confronted and defeated Kamasena, the god, demonstrating extraordinary valor. Meanwhile, the powerful Brahma managed to bind Talana, subduing him with his might. Yet fate was fickle: Lakshana, after his bow was broken, was himself bound by another mighty warrior. As the yogi army fell into confusion, scattering and fleeing in all directions, it became clear that Brahmananda had come, bringing destruction upon the king’s forces. Recognizing the dire situation, the king rallied his scattered men and brought Brahmananda before him. At that moment, a powerful being—an aspect of Krishna—descended upon the scene by the path of the sky. When this being fainted, the victors, filled with joy, released their captives. With the yogi army defeated, Brahmananda, mighty as ever, remained a force to be reckoned with. Soon after, the king himself arrived, his actions approved by the lord of the earth. Standing forth in their true forms were Nṛhara, fearless and valiant, and Mardana, ready for battle. Cāmuṇḍa then engaged in a fierce fight with Kāmasena, both warriors wielding their bows with skill. After Cāmuṇḍa cut Kāmasena’s bow, he closed in for sword combat. Enraged and eager for battle, Abhaya addressed him, saying, “You are indeed the son of the king of the earth, born of the maternal aunt. How can you wish to destroy the supreme duty of the kṣatriyas?” With these words, Abhaya struck him on the head, and Kāmasena, slain, ascended to heaven. In the wake of this, Madana and the cowherd-born one were also slain by the mighty Saradana, who became known as the northern portion, for Madana’s end came in the north. Rūpaṇa, joining the fray, caused Mardana to lose consciousness. Brahmananda, powerful and filled with anger, then bound Tāraka. Nṛhara, coming face to face with Rañajit, was struck down by his own arrow in a moment of wrath. This Nṛhara, who was a portion of Duśśāsana, died and went to his destined place. Seeing his kinsman Nṛhara slain, Mardana was consumed by rage. Rañajit, the valiant hero born of Parimala, cut down his foes with great skill. When the hero Mardana was slain, the mighty Saradana met a similar fate. Rañajit, born of Malana, endured great hardship in the battle. With three kinsmen slain, Tāraka was overcome by anger. He cut down both the enemy’s arrow and bow, as did Rañajit, both warriors burning with fury like serpents subdued by rods. Tāraka then threatened and struck at his enemy’s throat, taking precise aim. When that mighty hero fell, Brahmananda was deeply distressed. As evening descended on the eighth day of the bright half of the month of Bhadra, the king fortified the gate with sixty thousand soldiers, determined to hold his ground. Yet, the powerful king of the earth was afflicted with grief for his fallen son. In his sorrow and anger, he declared, “Just as I made the delightful city of Shirisha empty, so too will all the descendants of the lunar dynasty be destroyed by my arrows.” Having spoken thus, he summoned Dhundhukara. Upon hearing the summons, Dhundhukara quickly approached the threshold. Then, the mighty king, accompanied by eight hundred thousand warriors, set forth, ready for the next chapter of battle.