As the great battle approached, the serpents, fierce and powerful, exhaled their breaths with such force it seemed as if they would devour the very sky and plunder the earth itself. Driven by the will of the Self-born and Kapardin, Shiva’s swift horses surged forward, swift as the winds that blow at the time of cosmic dissolution. Upon the chariot, a lofty and splendid banner was raised, and by Shiva’s command, Nandi the sacred bull took his honored place upon the banner-staff. Around the chariot, the divine sages Bhargava and Angiras, radiant like the sun and bearing their staffs, stood guard at the wheels, seeking the favor of Rudra. The mighty serpent Shesha, endless and invincible destroyer of enemies, stood ready with a dart in hand, protecting the chariot and Brahma’s couch. Then, Yama, the lord of death, mounted his fierce buffalo; Kubera, the lord of wealth, took his place upon his serpent; and Indra, king of the gods, ascended his magnificent elephant. Guha, the bestower of boons and son of Shiva, mounted a peacock that shone like a hundred moons and sang sweetly like a kinnara. He took his place on his father’s chariot, fitting perfectly with the yoke. Behind and at the sides, the blessed Nandishvara, radiant and bearing a trident, stood like the destroyer of worlds. The Pramathas, Shiva’s attendants, blazed with the color of fire and stood unmoving like flames, following Sharva’s chariot like mighty crocodiles in a vast ocean. The great sages—Bhrigu, Bharadvaja, Vasishta, Gautama, Kratu, Pulastya, Pulaha, Tapodhana, Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Parashara, Agastya, and many others—were all present. These sages praised Hara, the unconquered and unborn, with special words and wondrous hymns, as the chariot of Tripura, adorned with gold and shining like a mountain, moved through the sky like a winged peak. Surrounded by makaras, whales, and great fish, the splendid chariot advanced, shining brilliantly like the ocean swelling at the end of time, its progress accompanied by the roar of thunderclouds struck by lightning. As the worlds worshipped the chariot and the god standing upon it, the Pramathas roared fiercely, and the people cried out in praise, “Well done!” The lord’s voice resounded, the great bull bellowed, the victorious brahmins chanted, and the horses neighed—the air was filled with their mighty sound. At that moment, the divine sage Narada, radiant as the moon, rose from the battlefield and swiftly made his way to the city of Tripura. There, among the Daityas, ominous signs began to appear as the blessed, ascetic Narada manifested in their midst. The Danavas, assembled and dark as rain clouds, rose up to greet Narada with words of respect upon his arrival. Their lords honored him with arghya, water for his feet, and a honey-mixture, just as Indra would honor Brahma. Worthy of all worship, Narada accepted their homage and, ascetic as he was, sat comfortably upon a splendid golden seat. While Narada rested, Maya, the lord of the Danavas, sat with his people as was proper. Seeing Narada seated, Maya, the great asura, gazed intently at him, his hair standing on end with excitement, and spoke with pleasure, “O Narada, tell us why these ominous signs have appeared in our city—signs that do not occur elsewhere. You, who know all things, must know what is happening. “We have seen fearful dreams, our banners are broken, and without any wind, our pennants fall to the ground. The towers and gateways dance, and voices cry out ‘violence, violence’—such fearful sounds are heard in the city. O Narada, I do not fear even the gods with Indra, except for the one boon-giver, Sthāṇu, Hara, who grants safety to his devotees. Nothing is unknown to you regarding omens; you know the past and the future. Therefore, tell us, O foremost sage, the cause of this fear arising from these omens, for I have taken refuge in you, Narada.” Thus addressed by Maya, Narada, ever free from deceit, replied, “Listen, O Danava, to the truth of how omens arise. The root ‘dhṛ’ means ‘to hold’, and in greatness it is called ‘dharma’; from its greatness, dharma is thus defined. That dharma which brings desired results is taught by teachers; the other, which brings undesired results, is not taught by teachers. “If one leaves the right path and enters a wrong way, or deviates from the path, destruction is declared for him—so say those who know the Vedas. You, riding the chariot of adharma, together with these intoxicated Danavas, act against the gods and aid those who harm them. Thus, these and other omens appear, portending destruction for the Danavas. “Rudra, having mounted a chariot made of the great worlds, is coming to destroy Tripura, Maya, and you asuras as well. Therefore, always seek refuge in the mighty Lord; you will depart together with your son and the Danavas, O Manada.” Having announced the great fear approaching the Danavas, the god Narada returned again to the abode of the lord of gods. When Narada departed, Maya, leader of the Danavas, addressed his people, considering them valiant. “You are heroes, you have sons, you have fulfilled your duties, O Danavas. Fight together with the gods, for us there is no fear. Having conquered, we shall all become members of the assembly of immortals; and having slain the gods along with Indra, we as asuras shall enjoy the worlds. Therefore, stand firm in the watchtowers, weapons in hand; remain vigilant, ready for battle, with your weapons raised.