To restore righteousness among humans, the Supreme Being took birth on earth. Yet, due to the curse of Bhṛgu, the gods and asuras became entwined in conflict. The sages, eager to understand, inquired: “How did he himself become involved in the affairs of the gods and asuras? Tell us, we pray, how the great contest between gods and asuras unfolded.” The battles that erupted for the division of the sacred shares were fierce beyond measure. There are ten famous wars beginning with the Varāha incarnation, and two more, remembered in the traditions between Śaṇḍa and Amarka. Now listen as I recount their names briefly: The first was the appearance of Narasiṃha, the Man-Lion; the second, the descent of Vāmana, the Dwarf. The third was the Varāha, the Boar; the fourth, the churning of the ocean for nectar, and the fifth, the mighty Tārakāmaya war. The sixth was called Āḍībaka, the seventh was the destruction of Tripura, the eighth was the battle with Andhaka, and the ninth, the slaying of the demon Vṛtra. The tenth was the war of Dhātra, followed by the Hālāhala incident, and the twelfth was the dreadful Kolāhala, renowned among all. In these battles, the Daitya Hiraṇyakaśipu was slain by Narasiṃha. Bali, who once sought to conquer the three worlds, was bound by Vāmana. Hiraṇyākṣa was killed in single combat by the gods, and Varāha, with his great tusk, split the ocean in two. During the churning of nectar, Prahlāda was defeated in battle by Indra, and Virocana, Prahlāda’s son, was ever intent on slaying Indra. In the Tārakāmaya war, Virocana was slain by Indra himself after displaying great valor, unable to withstand the combined might of the gods. In another fierce battle, Tryambaka destroyed all the Dānavas in the three worlds, and in the battle with Andhaka, asuras, piśācas, and dānavas were all slain. They were killed among the gods and men, and many were destroyed by their own ancestors. The fierce Vṛtra, aided by the dānavas, was slain in the Hālāhala conflict. With Viṣṇu’s help, Mahendra (Indra) drove Vṛtra back. Vipracitti, skilled in illusion and yoga, entered the banner with his brother, but was slain by Mahendra at the mark of the banner. In the tumult of battle, the bull, surrounded by the gods, vanquished all the assembled and restrained Daityas and Dānavas. At the conclusion of the sacrificial rite, the gods beheld the eunuch and the sun. These were the twelve great battles fought between the gods and the demons. Though these wars brought destruction to both sides, they were ultimately for the welfare of all beings. King Hiraṇyakaśipu flourished for ten million years. Seventy-two more units of time, plus additional tens of millions and eighty thousand years, saw other asura kings attain sovereignty over the three worlds. In turn, King Bali ruled for a hundred thousand years, and then for sixty thousand more, plus twenty million years. For as long as Bali reigned, Prahlāda withdrew from the demons for that same period. Among the demons, there were three mighty Indras. All these events, established among the Daityas, lasted for ten more ages. During this time, the threefold world was undisturbed and ruled by the powerful Indra, without rival, for another ten ages. When Prahlāda was slain and time passed in the three worlds, the reign of Pāka (Indra) began. Then, Shukra abandoned the demons and went to join the gods at their sacrifice. The sons of Diti called out to Shukra, “Why have you forsaken our kingdom and returned to the sacrifice before our very eyes?” Despondent, they said, “We can no longer remain here; let us enter the netherworld.” Shukra, seeing their sorrow, consoled them with gentle words: “Do not fear, O demons. I will sustain you with my own power—mantras, herbs, essences, and the highest wealth. All these things remain with me, though their feet are among the gods. All this I will give to you, for your sake, held by me.” Seeing that Shukra protected the Daityas with his wisdom, the gods deliberated together, desiring to seize the demons. They said, “This Shukra is turning everything away from us by his power. Let us quickly depart before he instructs them. Let us forcibly slay the survivors and send them to the netherworld.” Enraged, the gods approached the Dānavas. As the Dānavas were being slain, they rushed to Shukra for refuge. Seeing them pursued by the gods, Shukra acted—he withdrew his protection. The gods, now afflicted by the demons, saw Shukra standing firm and, without fear, abandoned the demons. Then Kāvya, the Brāhmaṇa (Shukra), after careful thought, spoke beneficial words to the Daityas, recalling what had happened before: “The entire three worlds were taken from you by Vāmana in three steps. Bali has been bound, Jambha slain, and Virocana killed. The great Asuras have been killed by the gods in twelve battles. Through various means, your leaders have mostly been destroyed. You who remain are but few; in my opinion, there should be no more fighting. I will tell you a strategy—wait for the proper time. I will go to Mahādeva to obtain mantras that bring victory. After receiving from the great lord those mantras that cannot be countered, we will fight the gods again, and then you will surely gain victory.” The Asuras agreed and spoke to the gods: “We have all laid down our weapons, set aside our armor, and are without chariots. We will practice austerities, clad in bark garments, in the forest,” following the wise words of Prahlāda. Hearing this, the gods withdrew, free from anxiety and joyful. When the Daityas had laid down their weapons, the gods departed, and thus, for a time, peace prevailed.