With tremendous effort, the mighty Daitya Jalandhara was struck by the irresistible chariot wheel, which split him in two and forced him to stand upon his own shoulders, torn apart by its power. Just as a thunderbolt cleaves a great mountain, so was the powerful demon felled, resembling another Mount Añjana in his fall. In an instant, the earth was flooded with his fierce blood, and, by Rudra’s command, all that blood and flesh was transformed into mere meat. A vast and dreadful pool of blood appeared upon the ground. Seeing Jalandhara slain, the hosts of gods and Gandharvas rejoiced, their hearts filled with relief and triumph. They raised a great lion’s roar, exclaiming, “Well done, O god!” It is said that whoever recites or hears the account of Jalandhara’s destruction—or causes it to be properly recited—attains the favor of Gaṇapati. Now, the sages gathered and asked Sūta, “How did Viṣṇu obtain the Sudarśana discus from the god of gods, Maheśvara? Tell us this story.” A most terrible conflict had arisen between the gods and the lords of the Asuras, bringing destruction to all beings. The gods, beset by the weapons, maces, arrows, and spears of the Asuras, were shattered and, overwhelmed by fear, fled from the battle. Defeated and distressed, their minds heavy with sorrow, the gods bowed to Hari, the lord and master of the gods. Seeing their plight, the blessed Lord Hari approached the assembled deities, bowed to them, and spoke gently: “Children, why have you gathered here, bereft of your ornaments and valor, afflicted and distressed? You who are steadfast in your vows, speak—what has happened?” Hearing these words, the excellent gods bowed and recounted to Lord Viṣṇu all that had occurred. “O blessed one, Lord of the gods, victorious Janardana, we have been oppressed by the demons and have come to you for refuge. You alone, O Supreme Person, are our path; you are the supreme soul, the father of the worlds. You alone sustain, destroy, enjoy, and give, O Janardana. Therefore, O subduer of demons, you must slay them.” They explained that the Daityas were protected by fierce powers—Vaishnava, Brahma, Rudra, Yama, Kubera, Soma, Nairriti, and Varuna—strong and formidable. They were also shielded by the powers of Vayu, Agni, Ishana, Varsha, Surya, Rudra, Bhima, Kampa, Jrimbha, and other mighty forces. All these, O lotus-eyed one, had become invulnerable through boons. Viṣṇu’s own discus, born from the solar orb, was raised up, but it had been blunted by Dadhichi and Cyavana. His staff, Sharnga bow, and other weapons had been obtained by the Daityas through favor. Long ago, to slay Jalandhara, the destroyer of Tripura fashioned a chariot wheel, sharp and terrible; with that, they urged, Viṣṇu must slay the demons. Only that weapon could defeat them, not hundreds of others. Hearing their plea, the lotus-eyed Hari spoke to Brihaspati and the other gods: “O gods, together with all the eternal deities, let us approach the great god. Having obtained everything, I will act for the celestials. To slay Jalandhara, a weapon was indeed fashioned by the destroyer of Tripura. With that chariot wheel, I will slay the great asuras—all the Daityas led by Dhundhu, sixty-eight in number, along with their hosts. Together with their kin, in a moment, I will deliver you all.” Having spoken thus, Hari and the gods remembered the best of gods. They worshipped the excellent Shankara, establishing the linga according to proper rites on the auspicious peak of Himavat. That linga, resembling Mount Meru, was fashioned by Vishvakarma, and Janardana—called Tvarita—together with Rudra and Raudra, established it. Viṣṇu bathed and worshipped the radiant, flame-like, and beautiful form, offered praise to Rudra, and bowed to the fire. He honored Shiva, whose names begin with ‘Bhava’, reciting a thousand names in proper order, starting with the sacred syllable and ending with ‘Salutations to the Ender’. For each name, he offered a lotus, worshipping the great lord Shankara. In the fire, he made oblations to the Lord with names beginning with ‘Bhava’, using sacred sticks and other offerings, reciting ‘svāhā’ at the end, making ten thousand offerings for each name. Again he praised Shambhu, the Lord of existence, with names beginning with ‘Bhava’: Bhava, Shiva, Hara, Rudra, Puruṣa, and Lotus-eyed One. He invoked the one who is ever righteous, all-auspicious, the great lord, ruler, firm one, sovereign, thousand-eyed, and thousand-footed. He praised Shankara, the most excellent, bestower of boons, worthy of reverence, supreme lord, bearer of the Ganges, holder of the trident, whose sole purpose is the highest good. He honored the all-knowing, foremost among gods, mountain-wielder, matted-haired, crowned with the moon, moon-crested, wise, lord of the universe and immortals. He praised the essence and collection of Vedanta, skull-bearer, blue and red-hued, the support and object of meditation, husband of Gauri, lord of the hosts. He worshipped the one of eight forms, universal form, the threefold aim, giver of heaven, attainable by knowledge, firm in wisdom, god of gods, three-eyed. Vamadeva, great god, pale, steadfast, firm, of universal form, with diverse eyes, lord of speech, pure, and inner essence. He praised the one responsive to all affection, marked with the bull, bull-bannered, lord, wielder of Pinaka, staff-bearer, of wondrous appearance, ancient one. Thus, with devotion and reverence, Viṣṇu and the gods sought the favor of Shiva, the supreme lord, to obtain the mighty weapon that would deliver them from the terrible Asuras.