A golden whip, dazzling with a multitude of gems, gleamed in the king’s hand. In the presence of such splendor, the son of Parimala, now subdued, addressed the king with humility. Having spoken his piece, this hero set out for the grand city of Kanyakubja. As he approached on horseback, bold and unafraid, the city’s guards called out, “Who are you, arriving here so fearlessly, O best of Kshatriyas?” He replied with dignity, “O great king, I come as a messenger of the Chandravamsha.” The powerful king, together with the noble Chandravamsha clan, received his words. Then the king instructed, “Therefore, you, along with your forces and accompanied by Ahlada and others, must act accordingly.” Lakshana, thus addressed, bowed respectfully to King Jayachandra. Upon hearing these developments, Jayachandra summoned the leader of the people. The son of Parimala spoke with pain, “King Parimala, in his cruelty, has abandoned me, his own sovereign. Cherishing his kinsman, he dismissed my guards.” At these words, Krishna’s portion—he who embodied a fragment of Krishna’s power—spoke humbly, “Thus, having forsaken you, the land has come under the king’s control. You, who know all dharmas, should therefore forgive the offender.” King Jayachandra, hearing this plea, said sternly, “Go quickly, you and your clan, for otherwise you are not permitted to remain here.” Krishna’s portion, the master of bewilderment, laughed and replied, “O king, grant me what is due and accept the payment owed.” Embarrassed before Krishna’s portion, the king hesitated. Then, the heroic Sakula, marked by auspicious signs, together with Ahlada, set forth. They journeyed to the city of Kuṭhāra and laid siege to the king’s fortress. The mighty king Lakṣaṇa, scion of the Vāmana lineage, stood ready with an army tens of thousands strong. Crossing the sacred Yamunā river, they reached the field of Kalpa, with Lakṣaṇa, emboldened, leading at the front. Soon, they arrived at the beautiful river Vetravatī, their forces arrayed in order. At that moment, the great hero Cāmuṇḍa appeared, commanding an army a hundred thousand strong. A fierce battle erupted between the two sides, both equipped with deadly missile-launchers. Into this chaos arrived Raktabīja, swift and mighty, riding atop a massive elephant. The clash was terrible—some warriors fell in battle, others were routed. Witnessing his troops falter, Tālana, wielding a heavy mace, struck at the elephant, bringing Cāmuṇḍa crashing to the ground. The hero, skilled in swordplay, then confronted Tālana, who brandished his mace. Lakṣaṇa, rushing forward, struck the enemy with his own arrow. A thousand warriors, followers of Raktabīja and armed with swords, spears, and javelins, surged into the fray. Though emboldened at first, these valiant ones soon grew fearful at the sight of Raktabīja’s power. Brahmānanda, seeing the distress of his companions, went to his father. Hearing his son’s words, King Parimala was overcome with love and spoke in a trembling voice. At his side, Queen Devakī, filled with affection, addressed the king, “Having been abandoned by you, we wander now to another king.” Moved by her words, the king was filled with supreme joy and ordered his hundred-thousand-strong army to be mobilized. After five days, the king of the earth arrived. Between the two great armies, a terrible battle erupted and raged for a full month. At dawn, under a clear sky, Krishnaamsha—he who bore a portion of Krishna—led his hundred-thousand-strong force and severed the heads of the Chamuṇḍas, each one separately. Yet, wondrously, as their heads were cut off, all those hundred thousand warriors sprang to life again. Astonished and now gripped by fear, Krishnaamsha spoke, “O sage, this universe, pervaded by you, is nothing but continuous sound.” He then addressed the divine power, “O you who have assumed the form of Chamuṇḍā for the destruction of Raktabīja!