From the ancient waters, a wondrous and terrible event unfolded. The head of the formidable enemy Namuchi was struck by Phena, who had taken the form of a thunderbolt. When Namuchi’s head was severed, the foam from this act fell upon the southern bank of the sacred river Ganga. That foam, carrying the potent imprint of divine power, pierced through the very earth and descended into the netherworld. From this descent, the Ganga’s waters rose again from the depths, becoming celebrated throughout the universe for their power to purify all beings. As the water followed the path carved by the thunderbolt, it emerged onto the surface of the earth. This water came to be known as Phena, and the river that arose from it was called by the same name. The confluence of the Phena and the Ganga became renowned in all the worlds as a supremely holy place, capable of destroying all sins—just as sacred as the meeting of the Ganga and Yamuna. In that revered region lies a ford of great fame, where Hanumat’s mother, by a single leap, was freed from the form of a cat through the grace of Vishnu and Ganga. This place is known as Marjara, as was narrated before, and is also called Hanumata; the story of its sanctity has already been recounted. Now, listen with care to the tale of Vrishakapa and Abjaka, and also of Hiraṇya—the mighty and renowned elder among the Daityas—who dwells there. Through severe austerities, Hiraṇya became invincible, even to the gods, fierce and terrible in might. His son, Mahashani, inherited this daunting strength, and proved himself a foe whom even the gods struggled to overcome. Mahashani, famed for his insatiable appetite and valor, was wed to Parajita. He waged a long and unbroken battle against Indra, the king of the gods. Always at the forefront of conflict, Mahashani defeated Indra, who was accompanied by a serpent, and triumphantly reported his victory to his father, Hiraṇya. In his conquest, Mahashani bound his sister together with the elephant, but then, abandoning his cruelty, reported this deed as well to Hiraṇya. Surpassing his ancestors in might and appetite, Mahashani took Śacī’s beloved—Indra—and placed him on the ground, keeping a vigilant guard over him. Having vanquished Hari himself, Mahashani then turned his ambitions toward conquering Varuṇa, the lord of waters. But Varuṇa, wise and discerning, offered his own daughter in marriage to Mahashani, and even bestowed upon him his own abode—the vast ocean. Thus, a bond of friendship arose between Varuṇa and Mahashani, and Varuṇa’s daughter became dear to the great demon, captivated by his strength, fame, and prowess. Mahashani’s power grew unrivaled in the three worlds. In the absence of Indra, the gods gathered together, troubled and seeking a solution. They resolved that only Vishnu could restore balance: “Vishnu alone must grant us a new Indra, slayer of demons and knower of mantras.” Thus, united in counsel, they approached Vishnu and revealed their plan, insisting that Mahashani must not be slain by Vishnu himself. Vishnu then went to Varuṇa, his father-in-law and lord of waters, and recounted Indra’s defeat. He urged Varuṇa to act so that Purandara—Indra—might be restored to his rightful place. At Vishnu’s request, Varuṇa departed at once. Honored by his brother-in-law, Varuṇa approached the mighty Mahashani, son of Hiraṇya and lord of the Daityas. Mahashani respectfully inquired about the purpose of his father-in-law’s visit. Varuṇa explained his mission: “Give me Indra, O mighty-armed one—the lord of the gods, my friend—whom you once defeated and bound in the netherworld. Return to us he who is honored by all, O slayer of my enemy. By binding and releasing him, you will win great fame among the virtuous.” Mahashani, though somewhat reluctant, agreed: “So be it.” He returned Indra, Śacī’s beloved, bound with the elephant, to Varuṇa. There, in the midst of the demons, Mahashani honored Hari with grand offerings before the lord of waters, and then addressed Indra, also called Maghavan. He questioned Indra: “Who has made you Indra today? By what power do you boast so much in battle? Though beset by enemies, you still become Indra—how strange! Yet, if a woman is bound by a man, her husband must release her—so it is proper. Women are not independent; men are foremost. You, O Śakra, will indeed become a man, O noble one.” He continued, “Bound by me in battle, your vehicle, your weapon—the thunderbolt of immense power—the wish-fulfilling jewel, the Nandana garden, the celestial women, your fame and strength—all these are for the enjoyment of the king of the gods. That which is life, which is the treasure of fame, is itself death when it opposes fame. Knowing this, O Śakra, how is it that, having been released by the lords of the waters, you do not feel shame? Dwelling in heaven, surrounded by all the gods, fanned by your beloved, praised by the Apsarases—surely, I think, even shame itself is afraid of you! You are the slayer of Vṛtra and Namuci, destroyer of cities, breaker of enclosures, wielder of the thunderbolt. Thus the gods honor you—therefore, O conqueror, renounce all this. Those who, transformed by enmity, continue to live and move among the worlds—how could one born from a lotus, like you, not feel a breaking of the heart at such disgrace?” Having spoken thus, the lord of the Daityas returned Indra to Varuṇa and further decreed: “From this day forward, Indra shall be the disciple, and Varuṇa the teacher—my father-in-law—by whom, O Vāsava, you have obtained your release. Thus, you must conduct yourself as a servant toward Varuṇa; if not, I will bind you again and cast you down to the netherworld.” With these words, Mahashani rebuked Śakra, laughing again and again, and sent him away with Varuṇa’s consent. Indra, his mind clouded with shame, returned to his own abode and recounted everything to Paulomī, his beloved, including his defeat at the hands of the enemy. Thus addressed and treated by Mahashani, Indra asked her, “O fair-faced one, tell me by what means I may restore myself.” To this, the reply was given: “I know, O destroyer of strength, the origin of the Dānavas, their magic, their defeat, the boon they received, and their death.” Thus, the tale unfolds, rich with divine encounters, legendary battles, and the ever-turning wheel of fate among gods and demons.