As evening descended, Brahmananda arrived at the grand palace of the king of the earth. Entering the palace, he was filled with great joy upon beholding seven women of striking beauty, each with radiant faces—they were the wives of his brothers-in-law. Among these women, three were widows, their husbands lost, while four still had their spouses by their side. The women, overwhelmed by their sorrow, spoke to Brahmananda, saying, “O Brahmananda, greatly fortunate one, please listen to us: though some of us have lost our husbands, our grief is immense. Allow us to have a co-wife; accept us, O charming one.” Hearing their words, Brahmananda, strong and mighty, felt a surge of happiness. He reflected on the ways of women in different ages: “In ancient times, during the Satya Yuga, women were noble and utterly devoted to their husbands. But in the Kali Yuga, it is said—by both Devala and Asita—that women have become unfaithful, seeking the company of other men. In the Satya Yuga, a woman was called ‘faithful’; in the Treta Yuga, she would follow her husband even onto his funeral pyre. In the Dvapara Yuga, she was of middling virtue, remaining loyal as a widow. Therefore, together with me, let us enjoy pure happiness. Adorn yourselves with ornaments and all forms of beauty.” As Brahmananda gazed upon them, Malanā’s son spoke boldly and without fear: “Your husbands have been slain by my kinsman; thus, you are freed from them. For this reason, I will not accept you—this I say truly, truly.” The women, stricken with grief at his refusal, went before the king of the earth, weeping bitterly. They pleaded, “Give punishment to this wicked one, or else I will give up my life.” Hearing their lament, the king of the earth approached Brahmananda, who stood mighty and unshaken. The king declared, “He who enjoys another man’s wife goes to the abode of Yama.” Hearing this grave pronouncement, Brahmananda, powerful as ever, saw the king’s terror and departed to see Camunda. He asked, “How can these women be properly married again? Tell us the truth in detail.” The bard then spoke, “Having worshipped Tamasi, the great power who deludes all beings, she bestowed upon the king a supreme armor, terrifying to all. With this protection, the king set forth upon the earth.” In time, the king’s wife, Pramada, bore him ten sons: Matta, Pramatta, Unmatta, Sumatta, Durmatta, Durmukha, Durdhara, Bahu, Suratha, and Viratha. They also had a beautiful-eyed sister named Su, whose form was enchanting and whose eyes rolled with intoxication. Maya Varman, humble in mind, approached and offered, “I will accomplish all your tasks, without doubt.” Meanwhile, Kitava, who dwelled in a cavern, abandoned her at dawn after a night shrouded in terrible darkness, retreating into the depths of the cave. When Varmadeva was born, the king, swelled with pride, summoned Taraka to his court. The king of the earth was powerful, commanding an army of one hundred and sixty thousand. On the fifteenth day of the dark fortnight, those devoted to vows gathered together. Maya Varman saw Taraka arrive, accompanied by other kings. Kitava, renowned and intelligent in the Daitya lineage, was also present. The princes, who had assembled for the sake of the king’s son, were slain. Their wealth was plundered in many ways, and Kitava, intoxicated by his deeds, departed. When the king of the earth heard of these events, he set out with his entire army. Yet Kitava, master of magic, defeated all the mighty warriors who opposed him. In his distress, Taraka meditated upon the supreme Lord Shankara. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of Mahavati arrived, drawn by the unfolding events.