The king of the earth gazed upon the gathered armies, marveling at their formidable strength. Yet, amidst this power, Tāraka met his end, destroyed by the Dānava’s cunning deceit. News of this treachery reached the steadfast Kṛṣṇāṃśa and the lion among the gods, stirring their resolve. Fierce battle erupted, day and night, as they joined forces; bewildering the opposing army, their roars echoed again and again across the field. In that tumult, the valiant Sukhakhāni overcame the powerful gambler. Joyful at his victory, the three companions praised Sukhakhāni, their hearts lightened. Then the queen, daughter of the king, chose Sukhakhāni as her own. Addressing him with affectionate words, she summoned the king of the earth to join them. The king, in gratitude, bestowed ten million gold coins upon Balakhāni, renowned for his strength. Prabhāvatī, Balakhāni’s daughter, became the younger sister to ten sons—Bala, Prabala, Subala, Balavān, and Balī among them. Meanwhile, a Yakṣa named Karabha, servant to King Lallara, after five years, claimed the maiden’s company. Mūlavarmā then summoned the king of the earth, bringing his army along. “I give Prabhāvatī, the auspicious maiden, to Nṛhara,” he declared, and thus Prabhāvatī was wed to Nṛhara according to the Vedic rites. Within a fortnight, the Yakṣa Karabha arrived. The king of the earth was plunged into sorrow, for his two sons, Vatsaja, were mighty, yet troubled. Hearing of these events, Kṛṣṇāṃśa approached Karabha, the Yakṣa-servant. The two brothers, united, took up their swords and severed the nāga-bond, freeing the king of the earth, who entered his threshold with joy and a contented mind. Sūta then spoke: In Kashmir, there lived a renowned king named Kaikaya. He was a man of intense desires, sometimes shameless, sometimes detached, yet always passionate. This king summoned the lord of the land and spoke: “There is a Gandharva named Sukala, and my daughter is Śubhānana. On the full moon, Sukala, fond of Citraratha, arrives. O best of kings, you must slay him and enter the threshold.” Upon hearing this, the lord of the land gathered a hundred thousand soldiers. In the month of Vaiśākha, during a time of pleasant birth, Sukala, famed for his valor, arrived. Heroes, intoxicated with pride, born outside the city, joined the fray. The lord of the land, frightened, meditated upon Śivā, the all-pervading goddess. Awakening those of the Kṛṣṇa lineage, he joined forces with them and launched an attack upon the foremost Gandharva. The Gandharvas, many in number, fought fiercely. At that moment, all were frightened and sought refuge in the lineage of Rāma. The lord praised Śivā with the hymn of the day, and she appeared before them. When the Gandharva was defeated, the Kṛṣṇa lineage enchanted the people. When the sixteenth year of Kṛṣṇa’s lineage arrived, they remained devoted to the worship of the goddess. The lord’s wife was Nāgavatī, the beautiful daughter of Takṣaka. He had ten daughters, among whom the lovely Śubhānana stood out. The king summoned the priest and sent him to the king of the earth. Hearing the summons, the king of the earth, now commanding three hundred thousand troops, approached at the proper time. He spoke to his father, “Give me the serpent ornament.” Hearing this, Nagavarma came to the king of the earth, ready to fulfill his request.