As the fierce battle raged, a radiant woman approached the king, and he gazed at her in wonder. “Who are you, O beautiful one?” he asked. “Whose daughter are you, that you come to me on this battlefield?” Hearing his words, the pure-hearted Velā, with gentle reverence, offered him water. With a voice clear and noble, she replied, “I am Velā, daughter of the lord of the earth. I have come to you, O king. Live and enjoy pleasures with me.” The king listened to her words and answered, “When the age of Kali arrives, O auspicious-faced one, together with me you shall ascend the city of Hari.” Having spoken thus, the two mounted and journeyed together toward the sacred region of Kapila. For the sake of their future offspring, they performed their ablutions separately, offered their gifts, and then departed from that holy place. Their path led them north, to the blessed region of Badarī, where they bathed and visited the revered holy sites. On the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Bhādra, Velā spoke her mind, addressing the king with earnest words. “Master, do as I say,” she urged. “Remain here with a tranquil heart and worship all that is auspicious. When I have slain Tāraka, I will return to your side.” Thus, Velā, ever virtuous, dwelled in the city of Hari. Meanwhile, powerful beings descended from the portion of Krishna arrived. Though they held the king dear, they viewed Krishna’s portion with disfavor. Accompanied by the king’s deceitful sons, and with Tāraka and other mighty ones, they approached their master. With cunning words, pleasing yet false, they urged, “You must go with me to him.” Hearing these dreadful words, sorrow filled the hearts of all present. The mighty ones descended from Krishna’s line wept aloud at what had transpired. Anger welled up among them, and in their wrath, they wrote a harsh letter. The king of the earth had the letter read aloud according to custom, and the words troubled him deeply, robbing him of peace and sleep. In response, he assembled a great force: twenty-four lakhs of brave warriors, joined by many kings. King Parimala, too, gathered an army of sixteen lakhs, and together they set up camps at the holy place of Syamantapanchaka. All the mighty Kauravas assembled on the banks of the sacred Ganga. There, they performed the Kartika bath and gave many gifts in charity. Among those who arrived was King Lahar, lord of the Vishvaksenas, honored by the same name as in his previous birth. Dussaha, Dusshala, Jalasanha, Samaha, and Saha were there, as were Durmarshana, Dushkarna, Somakirti, and Anudara. The king of the Tomara line and the lord of Bahlika also joined them, along with Chitropachitra, Chitraksha, Charuchitra, and Sharasana. Their divine portions were born as the sons of Abhinandana: Sunanda, Surananda, Prananda, and Kauravanshaka. The mighty king from the Parihara lineage, Maya Varma, was also present. Among the gathering were Durmada, Durvigaha, Nanda, and Vikatanana, as well as Urnanabha, Sunabha, and Upananda—these were born as the sons of the lord of Anga. Matta, Pramatta, Unmatta, Sumatta, and another Durmada were there, and so too was the king of the Shukla lineage, Mulavarma. Ayobahu, Mahabahu, Chitranga, and Chitrakundala made their presence known, as did Dridhavarma and Dridhakshatra, who in a former birth had been Kauravas. Thus, in that sacred gathering, the great and noble assembled, each bearing the weight of destiny and the memory of their pasts, as the story of Velā and the king unfolded amidst the tides of dharma and fate.