O Honored One, hear now the tale as it unfolded: I willingly summoned those two formidable beings, Madhu and Kaitabha, to single combat. In the midst of the vast, tumultuous ocean, we fought a battle of terrible ferocity, each unleashing our might without restraint. But in the course of that dreadful struggle, I came to know of the wondrous boon you had granted them—deathlessness itself. Realizing the futility of my efforts, I sought refuge in you, O Mother, the eternal giver of sanctuary. Exhausted from battle and sorely pressed, I pleaded for your aid, for those two, emboldened by your boon, were tormenting the very gods and hounding me relentlessly, O destroyer of affliction. In their wickedness, they were intent on slaying me. Overwhelmed, I cried, “What shall I do? Where can I go?” Hearing my plea, the Goddess smiled gently and spoke to me, her words soothing yet resolute. To me, Vāsudeva—the Lord of the Universe, eternal and all-pervading, who stood before her with head bowed—she said: “O god of gods, O Hari, O Viṣṇu, you must fight them once more. Deceive these mighty warriors and slay them when they are deluded. I shall bewilder the Dānavas with my crooked glance, casting upon them the power of my māyā. O Nārāyaṇa, when they are thus deluded by my illusion, swiftly strike them down.” Filled with joy and renewed purpose upon hearing her words, I returned to the battlefield, standing once more in the great ocean. Soon, those two mighty warriors arrived, eager for combat. Seeing me, they shouted with delight, “Stand, stand, O great one! O four-armed, fight with us!” They spoke with confidence and fatalism: “Victory and defeat are governed by fate. Today, the strong may win, but by fate even the weak may conquer. Therefore, a wise soul should not give in to joy or sorrow. Many Daityas before us have been defeated by you, the enemy of the Dānavas. Now, fighting together, we have bested you.” Having spoken thus, the two mighty-armed demons prepared once more for battle. I struck swiftly with my fist, displaying a wondrous feat, but they, maddened by their own strength, struck back at me with equal force. The clash that ensued was dreadful, the ocean itself bearing witness to our struggle. In the midst of this terrible conflict, I glanced toward the Goddess, my heart troubled. Seeing my distress, the compassionate Mother, her eyes glowing like copper, laughed mightily. With sidelong glances, sharp as arrows of desire, she struck the two demons. Her gentle smile was suffused with affection and love, yet her crooked glance bewitched the wicked ones, leaving them utterly bewildered. Enchanted, tormented by desire, the two demons gazed at the radiant Goddess, entranced by her beauty and charm. I, too, perceived the Goddess’s intention and recognized that the demons were now firmly ensnared by her illusion. With a gentle smile and a voice deep as thunder, I addressed them: “O heroes, choose a boon—whatever you desire, I shall grant with utmost delight. Many demons have fought me before, but none have matched your valor. I am pleased with your incomparable strength; ask, and I shall grant your wish.” Proud and love-stricken, the two demons continued to gaze at Mahāmāyā, the joy of the world. Overwhelmed by desire, they replied to me, “O Hari, we are not petitioners—why do you wish to give? O Lord of the gods, let there be equality; we are givers, not beggars. You, Hṛṣīkeśa, may ask whatever boon you desire. Be pleased with this wondrous battle with Vāsudeva.” Hearing their words, I replied, “Let it be so—may you be pleased with me today. Both of you shall be slain by me.” At this, the two demons were utterly astonished, realizing at last that they had been deceived. Sorrow filled their hearts as they considered my words. Looking about, they saw the whole earth submerged in water, with no dry land in sight. They addressed me, “O Hari, you are always truthful. The boon you granted before—grant us that, O Janārdana. In a vast, waterless place, slay us, O Madhusūdana. Let us be slain by you, O Mādhava, but keep your word.” Remembering my discus, I smiled and replied, “Today, O mighty ones, I shall slay you both in a vast waterless place.” Then, making my thighs grow exceedingly vast, I revealed them above the surface of the water, dry and firm. “There is no water here, O demons,” I said. “Place your heads upon my thighs. I am truthful, and today I shall fulfill my word to you.” Hearing this, the two demons expanded their bodies to a thousand yojanas, but I made my thighs twice as large, astonishing them further. At last, they placed their wondrous heads upon my thighs. Then, with the axle of a chariot, I swiftly severed their heads as they lay upon my thighs. In that moment, Madhu and Kaitabha lost their lives, and the entire ocean was filled with their fat. From that fat, the earth came to be called “medinī,” and thus the sages declared that the soil was unfit for consumption. Thus, O seeker, I have told you everything you wished to know. The great knowledge and the great illusion—these should always be revered by the wise.