Those who possess the wisdom of the Vedas declare that if one abandons the righteous path and strays into wrongdoing, destruction is certain. In this very way, you, Mānada, mounted upon the chariot of adharma, have joined with these intoxicated Dānavas, acting against the gods and aiding those who bring them harm. Because of this, many ominous signs have begun to appear, all foretelling the impending destruction of the Dānavas. Rudra himself, having mounted a chariot formed of the great worlds, is now coming to destroy Tripura, Maya, and you asuras as well. Therefore, seek refuge without delay in the mighty Lord; for otherwise, you will depart together with your son and the Dānavas, O Mānada. Having thus announced the great fear approaching the Dānavas, the divine messenger returned to the abode of the lord of gods. After Nārada departed, Maya, the leader of the Dānavas, addressed his valiant followers, saying, "You are heroes, with sons and fulfilled duties. O Dānavas, let us fight together against the gods—there is no fear for us. Once we have conquered, we shall become members of the assembly of immortals; 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 and ready for battle, your weapons raised. Take your assigned places in these three cities—let none be breached. The gods who have come here are known to you; repel them with all your effort, and pierce them with your arrows." Having thus spoken to the sons of Danu, Maya, the restrainer of the hosts of gods, troubled the hearts of the young women with his words, and swiftly entered the city of Tripura. There, with a mind pure as silver, he worshipped Bhava, the sky-clad one, with sweet words, seeking refuge in the god of gods—the destroyer of Madana, Ari, Andhaka, and the sacrificial bodies. The three-eyed, blazing Lord did not perceive Maya, though he had come seeking safety and refuge; yet, granting him his desired boon, Rudra made that Dānava, marked with the moon, truly fearless. Then, while the battle raged, Nārada again approached the army of the gods, having come from Tripura, and took his seat in their assembly. This region, vast and renowned as Ilāvṛta, was the place where the sacrifice of Bali was performed and where Bali himself was restrained. It is the birthplace of the gods, famed throughout the three worlds, where marriages, sacrifices, and all rites of passage are performed. There, the giving of maidens and other sacred deeds took place; there, Bhava ever delighted with his attendants and hosts. As on Mount Meru, the guardians of the worlds always stood there; and the one with honey-colored eyes, adorned with the crescent moon, addressed the lord of the gods and the assembled hosts, Maheshvara: "O Vāsava, behold the city of your enemies—Tripura—adorned with flying palaces, banners, and flags. This event, well-known and burning like fire, has come to pass; these people, mountain-like, are adorned with earrings and crowns. Within the ramparts, gateways, and watchtowers, the Dānavas are stationed—cloud-like in form, many with deformed faces. "The Daityas, armed and seeking victory, are coming forth before us. Therefore, you, together with hundreds of gods and your chosen weapons and allies, destroy the great asuras along with my attendants. I, firm in the best of chariots and immovable as a mountain, shall remain before the city, seeking an opening for your victory. And when, under the conjunction with Puṣya, the three cities become one, then I shall burn them down with a single arrow, O Indra." Thus addressed by the blessed Rudra, the lord of the gods departed, surrounded by his army, to conquer Tripura. Terrifying chariots advanced; the gods and their hosts, roaring like lions, surged forth like rising clouds. At this mighty sound, the Daityas of Tripura, eager for battle, sprang up, armed and rushing forth through the sky toward the lords of the hosts. Others, with thunderous roars like storm clouds, became as mighty as clouds themselves, emboldened and sounding their instruments with lion-like cries. The lion-roar of the gods and the great blare of all their instruments was swallowed up by the cries of the Daityas, just as the moon is swallowed by rainclouds. As the moon rises, the ocean swells at the full moon; so too Tripura, filled with fierce, mighty Asuras, surged forth. Some stood upon the ramparts of the city, others on the gateways; some climbed the watchtowers, their words agitated and uncertain. Some Danavas, valiant and adorned with golden garlands and shining garments, roared like water-laden clouds. Others, running here and there in strange attire, asked one another within their houses, "What is this?" "What is this? I do not know; my knowledge is hidden within. You will know soon enough—time is vast and ever-expanding," came the reply. There too stood the lord of the earth, like a lion upon his chariot, pressing upon Tripura, towering like a disease upon the body. "Whoever he is, let him be; what worry is there in confusion? Come, take up your weapon—where will my question remain?" they said. Thus, striking at each other with words, the Daityas of Tripura approached and questioned one another, as the great battle loomed.