A fierce wrestling match unfolded between Madhu and Kaiṭabha, both intoxicated with the thrill of battle, grappling like seasoned wrestlers. As the struggle wore on, Madhu began to tire, and Kaiṭabha pressed on, engaging Viṣṇu with renewed vigor. Again and again, Madhu and Kaiṭabha, blinded by passion, hurled themselves into hand-to-hand combat against the mighty Viṣṇu, neither side relenting. All the while, Brahmā, ever the observer, and the goddess who dwelled in the sky, watched the combat without weariness. Yet, while those two demons showed no signs of flagging, it was Viṣṇu who began to grow fatigued. The battle raged on for five thousand years, and at last, Hari paused to ponder the cause of their seemingly endless vitality. He mused to himself, "For five thousand years I have fought, and yet these fierce demons are not weary, while I am exhausted—how astonishing this is! Where has my strength and valor gone? Why are these two not weakened? What is the cause behind this? I must consider it deeply." As Hari became absorbed in these thoughts, Madhu and Kaiṭabha, drunk on their own pride, thundered at him with voices like rolling clouds. They taunted him, "If your strength is not enough, Viṣṇu, and you are weary from battle, then say, 'I am your servant,' and join your hands upon your head. If today you are unable to fight, O wise one, then after slaying you, we shall also kill the Four-faced Brahmā!" Hearing these words in the midst of the great ocean, Viṣṇu, ever noble, replied with gentle and conciliatory words. He said, "True heroes do not strike those who are weary, afraid, disarmed, fallen, or mere children; this is the eternal law. For five thousand years I have fought here alone, while you two brothers, strong and equal to me, have faced me together. Time and again, you have rested during the battle; so too, after I have taken rest, I will fight you again—there is no doubt of this. As you stand ready, powerful and intoxicated with strength, allow me to rest; then I will return to battle in accordance with justice." Hearing his words, the two foremost Dānavas, confident in their strength, stood at a distance on the battlefield, resolute and waiting. Seeing them so far off, Vāsudeva, four-armed, began to ponder once more the mystery of their death. Through deep contemplation, knowledge dawned upon him: the two had received boons from the Goddess, granting them the power to choose the time of their own death. Because of this, they did not weaken. Viṣṇu realized, "In vain have I fought; my effort has been wasted. Knowing this, how can I continue the battle? Yet if I do not fight, how will these two Dānavas, ever proud of their boon, meet their destruction, which would end their torment of the worlds? The boon granted by the Goddess is indeed difficult to overcome; even those beset by suffering do not wish for death—how will these two, swollen with pride, ever desire it?" He resolved, "Today I seek refuge in that supreme knowledge and power which grants all desires; without her, no wish is fulfilled unless she is truly pleased." Thus reflecting, the Blessed Viṣṇu gazed into the sky and beheld the enchanting Goddess of Yogic Sleep standing above. With hands joined in reverence, the immeasurable Lord, knower of yoga, praised her—the bestower of boons, the Lady of the worlds—seeking her aid for the destruction of the two demons. Viṣṇu offered his salutations: "O Goddess, Great Enchantress, creator and destroyer, beginningless and endless Caṇḍī, giver of enjoyment and liberation, O auspicious one, I bow to you. I do not know your form, whether with attributes or without; how can I know your deeds, which are beyond counting? Today I have experienced your power, so hard to comprehend—for though I was overcome by sleep, I have now regained consciousness. Even though Brahmā tried again and again to awaken me, I remained insensible, my senses withdrawn. O Ambikā, by your power I was rendered unconscious; released by you, I am now awake and have fought many battles. I am weary, yet those two are not fatigued, for you have granted them boons; now these arrogant Dānavas seek to slay Brahmā. I summoned them for single combat, O Honored One, and fought a terrible battle with them in the great ocean. Then I learned of your wondrous boon of deathlessness to them; knowing this, I seek refuge in you, the giver of refuge. Mother, grant me your assistance, for I am exhausted by battle; those two, emboldened by your boon, torment the gods, O destroyer of affliction. They are intent on killing me—what shall I do, where shall I go?" Thus addressed, the Goddess smiled gently and spoke to Vāsudeva, the eternal Lord of the Universe, who bowed before her. She said, "O god of gods, O Hari, O Viṣṇu, fight again yourself. Deceive these two mighty warriors and slay them when they are deluded; I will surely bewilder the Dānavas with my crooked glance. O Nārāyaṇa, swiftly slay them when they are deluded by my māyā." Hearing her words, Viṣṇu was filled with joy. He returned to the battlefield and stood there in the great ocean, ready. Soon, the two mighty warriors, eager for combat, arrived. Seeing Viṣṇu standing before them, they rejoiced and called out, "Stand, stand, O great one! O four-armed, fight with us!" For they knew that victory and defeat depend on fate—today, the strong one may win, but by fate even the weak may conquer.