Therefore, a wise soul should never succumb to joy or sorrow, for in ages past, countless Daityas were defeated by the relentless foe of the Dānavas. Now, fighting alongside us, you too have met defeat. Having spoken thus, the two mighty-armed demons prepared once more for battle. As they stood ready, Viṣṇu acted swiftly, striking with his fist in a wondrous display of power. Yet, those two, intoxicated by their immense strength, retaliated, landing blows upon Viṣṇu himself. Thus, a most dreadful battle erupted between them. Witnessing these two formidable warriors engaged in combat, Nārāyaṇa—Hari—turned his gaze, distressed, toward the Goddess. Sūta continued: Seeing Viṣṇu in such a state, full of compassion, the Goddess with coppery eyes laughed greatly. She glanced at the two demons, her sidelong glances striking them like arrows of desire. With gentle smiles, filled with affection and love, the Goddess cast her crooked glance upon those wicked ones, and their minds became bewildered. Tormented by the arrows of desire, the two demons stood transfixed, gazing at the radiant and clear form of the Goddess, believing this to be something extraordinary. Hari too observed the Goddess’s intention, recognizing that the demons had become enchanted. Understanding his purpose, the Lord addressed them, smiling gently, his voice deep as thunderclouds: "O heroes, choose a boon, whatever you desire. With utmost delight, I grant you anything you wish for in battle. Many demons have fought with me before, but none have equaled your strength. Therefore, I am pleased with your incomparable might. O mighty ones, I will grant whatever desire you brothers have." Sūta said: Hearing Viṣṇu’s words, the two demons, proud and love-stricken, gazed at Mahāmāyā, who brings joy to the world. Overwhelmed by desire, they spoke to Viṣṇu, lotus-eyed: "O Hari, we are not petitioners; why do you wish to give? O Lord of the gods, give equally; we are givers, not beggars. You, Hṛṣīkeśa, request whatever boon your mind desires; be pleased with the wondrous battle with Vāsudeva." Upon hearing their words, Janārdana replied: "Let it be today that you are pleased with me; both of you shall be slain by me." Sūta said: Hearing Viṣṇu’s words, the two demons were utterly astonished. Believing they had been deceived, they stood, filled with sorrow. Reflecting deeply, the two demons addressed Viṣṇu, observing that the entire earth appeared as water, devoid of dry land: "O Hari, the boon you granted before, O Janārdana, you are truthful, O Lord of the gods; grant us that desired boon. In a vast waterless place, slay us, O Madhusūdana. Let us be slain by you, O Mādhava, and be truthful to your word." Then Viṣṇu, recalling his discus, spoke with a smile: "Today, O mighty ones, I shall slay you both in a vast waterless place." Having spoken thus, the Lord of the gods made his thighs exceedingly vast and displayed them, dry above the surrounding waters. "There is no water here, O demons; place your heads upon my thighs. I am truthful, and today I shall be so for you as well." Hearing these truthful words, the two demons pondered and expanded their bodies to a thousand yojanas. The Lord then made his thighs twice as large, astonishing them. The demons placed their wondrous heads upon those mighty thighs. Then, with the axle of a chariot, Viṣṇu swiftly severed their heads, which rested upon his thighs. In that moment, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha perished, and the entire ocean was filled with their fat. From that fat, the name 'medinī' arose for the earth everywhere, and thus the sages declared the soil unfit for consumption. Sūta concluded: Thus, I have told you everything you asked, with certainty. The great knowledge and the great illusion should always be revered by the wise. The supreme power is to be worshipped by all gods and demons; there is nothing higher or greater in the three worlds. Truth, truth, again truth: this is the determination of the meaning of the Vedas and scriptures; the supreme power, whether without qualities or with qualities, is to be worshipped. The sages then inquired: "Sūta, you previously told us that Vyāsa, of immeasurable brilliance, composed the entire Purāṇa and taught it to Śuka, the auspicious one. But how did Vyāsa, after performing austerities, produce Śuka? Tell us in detail everything you heard from Kṛṣṇa." Sūta replied: "I shall relate the origin of Śuka, born from Vyāsa, son of Satyavatī, and how Śuka arose as the foremost sage among yogis. On the beautiful summit of Meru, Vyāsa, son of Satyavatī, performed severe austerities, firmly resolved to obtain a son. Reciting the one-syllabled mantra, the seed of speech, learned from Nārada, he meditated upon the supreme great illusion, desiring a son, a treasury of austerity. He prayed that his son might be equal in strength to fire, earth, wind, and sky. For a hundred years, Vyāsa remained without food, worshipping Mahādeva and likewise Sadāśiva. Reflecting again and again that power is to be worshipped everywhere, he saw that the powerless are despised in the world, but the powerful are greatly honored.