No one hindered the messenger as he made his way, having assumed the role of an envoy on behalf of his master. His purpose was clear: to inform the Lord of all that had transpired on the battlefield. Upon arriving, the messenger beheld Shankhachuda, whose appearance was exceedingly charming and radiant. Shankhachuda stood adorned with a splendid staff, encrusted with jewels and topped with precious gems, while a beautiful golden parasol, held aloft by a servant, shaded him. His attire was handsome and attractive, his presence delightful, and his body adorned with exquisite jeweled ornaments. Around him gathered the lords of the Daityas, thirty million in number, all splendidly attired. Witnessing this magnificent assembly, Pushpadanta, the messenger, was filled with amazement. Composing himself, Pushpadanta addressed Shankhachuda: “I will speak what was said by Shankara himself; listen attentively. At this very moment, you are to give the kingdom and authority back to the gods. Hari has sent Shiva to you, having given him the trident. Return to the gods their domain, or else, surely, prepare for battle.” On hearing these words, Shankhachuda laughed. Without delay, he went to speak to the Lord, who was seated at the root of a great banyan tree. At that very moment, Skanda arrived before Shiva. In attendance were Vishalaksha, Bana, Pingalaksha, and Vikampana, along with Kapilaksha, Dirghadamshtra, Vikata, and Tamralochana. There, too, were Balonmatta, proud of his strength, Rana-shlaghi, Durjaya, and Durgama. The Vasus, beginning with Vāsava, and the twelve Ādityas were present, as were Kubera and Yama, Jayanta and Nalakūbara, Dharma, Śani, Īśāna, and the mighty Kāmadeva. A divine goddess appeared, clad in red garments, adorned with red garlands and fragrant unguents. To her devotees, she granted fearlessness; to her enemies, she gave fear. In her hand she held a great skull, round and deep, measuring a yojana, as well as a conch, discus, mace, lotus, arrows, and a terrifying bow. She wielded the Vaiṣṇava weapon, the Vāruṇa weapon, the Āgneya weapon, the serpent noose, and also the Pārjanya, Pāśupata, Jṛmbhaṇa, and Pārvata weapons, along with many kinds of divine weapons—one hundred supreme missiles in all. She arrived, attended by thirty million Yoginīs, and was surrounded by spirits, ghosts, piśācas, kūṣmāṇḍas, and brahmarākṣasas. In their midst, Skanda bowed respectfully to Candraśekhara. After the messenger had departed, the valiant Shankhachuda, hearing the news of impending battle, found his throat, lips, and palate parched with anxiety. In this moment, Tulasī spoke: “O god who presides over life, protect my life for a moment. May you enjoy in each birth whatever pleasure your mind desires. My life is swaying, and my mind is constantly scorched.” Hearing Tulasī’s heartfelt words, the king, having eaten and drunk, replied to her: “Auspiciousness, joy, pleasure, pain, fear, sorrow, and inauspiciousness—all these arise in time. Even trees grow their branches according to time, and their fruits ripen and mature only when the time is right. In time, beings come into existence, and in time, they depart.