Hari, the Supreme Lord, stood upon the battlefield and spoke with unwavering righteousness: “True heroes do not strike those who are weary, afraid, disarmed, fallen, or mere children. This is the eternal law.” He looked upon his formidable opponents, the two mighty Dānava brothers, and continued, “For five thousand years I have fought here alone, while you both stand together, strong and equal to me.” He reminded them, “You two have taken rest in the midst of battle again and again. Now, after my own period of rest, I too will fight—there is no doubt about this. While you, powerful and intoxicated by your strength, stand ready, allow me to rest; then I will resume battle, following the path of justice.” Hearing Hari’s words, the two foremost Dānavas, confident in their might, withdrew and stood at a distance on the battlefield, resolved to wait. Observing them from afar, Vāsudeva, the four-armed Lord, pondered deeply on the cause of their eventual destruction. Through his contemplation, knowledge dawned upon him: both Dānavas had received boons from the Goddess. They possessed the power to choose their own time of death, and thus, they did not tire or weaken. Hari realized, “In vain have I fought; my efforts have been wasted. Knowing this certainty, how can I continue the battle?” He reflected further, “If the battle is not fought, how will these two Dānavas, forever proud of their boon, meet their destruction, which alone will bring an end to their tyranny? The boon granted by the Goddess is indeed difficult to overcome; even if one wishes for death, unless afflicted with suffering, he does not truly desire it. Even those afflicted by disease or misery do not wish to die—so how will these two, maddened by pride, ever wish for death?” Recognizing the limits of his own power, Hari resolved, “Today I seek refuge in that knowledge and power which grants all desires; without her, wishes are not fulfilled unless she is truly pleased.” Thus reflecting, the Blessed Viṣṇu beheld in the sky the enchanting Goddess of Yogic Sleep, radiant and standing before him. With hands joined in reverence, the immeasurable Lord, master of yoga, praised her—the bestower of boons, the Lady of the worlds—for the destruction of the two Dānavas. Viṣṇu addressed her: “Salutations to you, O Goddess, Great Enchantress, creator and destroyer of all; O beginningless and endless Caṇḍī, giver of enjoyment and liberation, O auspicious one. “I do not know your form, whether with attributes or without; O Goddess, how can I comprehend your deeds, which are beyond counting? Today I have experienced your power, which is exceedingly difficult to grasp. Though I was overcome by sleep, I have now regained consciousness. Even though Brahmā tried again and again to awaken me, I was not stirred, for my six senses had been withdrawn. “O Ambikā, by your power I became insensible; released by you, I am now awakened and have fought many battles. I am weary, yet those two do not tire, for you have granted them boons; the two arrogant Dānavas have come to slay Brahmā. I summoned them willingly for single combat, O Honored One, and I fought a most terrible battle with them in the great ocean. “Then I learned of your wondrous boon of deathlessness to them; realizing this, I have now sought 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. Those two wicked ones are intent on killing me—what shall I do, where shall I go?” Thus addressed, the Goddess smiled gently and spoke to the Lord of the Universe, Vāsudeva, who bowed before her: “O god of gods, O Hari, O Viṣṇu, fight again yourself. Deceive these two mighty warriors and slay them when they are deluded; I shall surely bewilder the Dānavas with my crooked glance. O Nārāyaṇa, swiftly slay them when they are deluded by my māyā.” Hearing her words, Viṣṇu’s heart was filled with joy. He returned to the battlefield and stood in the midst of the great ocean. Soon, the two mighty warriors, eager for battle, arrived. Seeing Viṣṇu standing before them, they were filled with joy and cried out, “Stand, stand, O great one! O four-armed, fight with us!” They proclaimed, “Victory and defeat depend on fate. Today the one with strength wins, and by fate even the weak may conquer. Therefore, a great soul should never indulge in joy or sorrow. In the past, many Daityas have been defeated by the enemy of the Dānavas. Now, fighting together with us, you have been defeated.” With these words, the two mighty-armed Dānavas prepared for battle. Seeing them approach, Viṣṇu struck swiftly with his fist, performing a wondrous deed; but the two, maddened by their strength, struck Viṣṇu back with their own powerful blows. Thus began a most dreadful battle. As the fierce fight raged, Hari glanced at the Goddess with a look of distress. Seeing Viṣṇu in such a state, the compassionate Goddess, her eyes coppery and bright, laughed greatly. With a sidelong glance, as if shooting arrows of desire, she struck the two demons. With gentle smiles, full of affection and love, the Goddess cast her crooked glance upon the wicked ones, and they became utterly bewildered. Smitten and tormented by the arrows of desire, the two Dānavas stood transfixed, gazing at the radiant and enchanting Goddess. Hari, perceiving the Goddess’s intention, recognized that the two were now enchanted. Knowing his purpose, the Lord spoke to them, smiling gently, his voice deep as thunderclouds: “O heroes, choose a boon—whatever you desire.