Thus, when Tāraka, the mighty Daitya, was addressed, he humbly bowed to the self-born Lord Brahmā, joining his palms in reverence. Though renowned for his valor, Tāraka spoke with humility, saying, “O Lord, you know the innermost hearts of the gods and the actions of all beings. It is the nature of people, seeking reward or vengeance, to strive for victory. “By birth and by duty, enmity exists between us Daityas and the immortals. The Daityas have been destroyed by the gods, who have abandoned the path of righteousness. It is my firm resolve to become their deliverer. “Therefore, grant me this supreme boon: let me be invulnerable to all beings and to all mighty weapons. This desire is steadfast in my heart. O Lord of the gods, I ask for no other favor but this.” Hearing these words, Brahmā, the leader of the gods, addressed the demon, “O best of Daityas, embodied beings cannot exist without death. Therefore, choose another boon, except for death, since you do not fear it.” After reflecting for a moment, Tāraka, deluded by pride, asked instead, “Let death come to me only after seven days from my birth as a child.” Brahmā, pleased with his austerities, granted Tāraka the boon he desired and then departed to heaven. The demon, his wish fulfilled, returned to his own abode. When Tāraka had completed his austerities, the lords of the Daityas gathered around him, just as the hosts of gods surround Indra in heaven. Tāraka, the delight of the demons, now held great sovereignty. The very seasons appeared before him in their own forms, adorned with their unique qualities. All the guardians of the worlds became his attendants. Beauty, splendor, fortitude, intelligence, and prosperity themselves watched over the Dānava king. He was surrounded by virtues, flawless in form, his body anointed with fragrant aloe, his head crowned with a magnificent diadem. His limbs were decorated with beautiful armlets, and he sat upon a great lion-throne. The foremost Apsarases fanned him constantly, never ceasing in their service. The moon and the sun served as lamps along his path, the wind as his fan; even Death himself walked before him, leading the way. As time passed, Tārakāsura, filled with the pride of his many boons, called his demon ministers to him. “What is the purpose of my kingdom if I do not conquer the heavens?” he declared. “How can my heart find peace without vanquishing the gods and ending our ancient enmity? “Even now, the immortals enjoy their shares of sacrifice in heaven. Viṣṇu still holds his fortune and remains free from delusion. The beloved women of the gods—radiant, lotus in hand, intoxicated with wine—continue to delight the gods in their celestial gardens. “A man who, having obtained birth, does not strive for valor—his birth is in vain; the unborn is even superior to him. He who does not fulfill the desires of his parents, does not relieve the sorrows of his kin, nor attains fame as pure as the moon—such a man, though born, is as good as dead in my eyes. “Therefore, quickly prepare for me the eight-wheeled chariot for victory over the foremost of the immortals. I will seize the fortune of the three worlds. Assemble my invincible demon army, my banner adorned with golden cloth, and my umbrella covered with a net of pearls.” Hearing Tāraka’s command, the demon Grasana, commander of the Daitya army, did exactly as he was instructed, gathering the hosts of Daityas. He sounded a deep drum and swiftly summoned the demons, bringing forth a chariot adorned with eight wheels and drawn by a thousand horses. Clad in white garments, the chariot stretched four yojanas wide, filled with many pleasure-houses, enchanting with songs and music. It rivaled the celestial chariot of Indra, lord of the gods. Ten crores of Daityas, fierce in valor, assembled for battle. Foremost among them was Jambha, then Kujambha, followed by Mahisha, Kunjara, Megha, Kalanemi, and Nimi. Mathana, Jambhaka, and Shumbha were there as well—these ten were the leaders among the Daityas, and hundreds of others, powerful enough to shake the earth, stood with them. These Daitya lords were mountain-like in stature, fierce in might, and skilled in many weapons and missiles of every kind. Tāraka’s banner was dreadful, adorned with gold; Grasana, the slayer of foes, was the army chief, his emblem a mighty makara. Jambha’s banner bore a demonic face of iron, while Kujambha’s standard displayed a donkey with a swinging tail. Mahisha’s banner bore a golden jackal, and Shumbha’s was raised high with a black iron vulture. The banners of the others took many forms, and a hundred swift tigers adorned with golden garlands added to the spectacle. Grasana’s chariot was yoked with a hundred lions, their bells jingling; Jambha’s formidable chariot too was drawn by lions. Kujambha’s was drawn by donkeys with demonic faces; Mahisha’s by camels, Kunjara’s by horses. Mesha’s chariot was drawn by fierce leopards; Kalanemi’s by elephants as huge as mountains; Nimi rode on intoxicated great elephants. They had four-tusked, fragrant, well-trained elephants with thunderous roars, and black, gold-adorned horses, each a hundred hands long. The southern quarter shone, adorned with white yak-tail fans; their bodies were smeared with white sandal, radiant with garlands of many flowers. Mathana, the Daitya lord, holding a noose, shone forth; Jambhaka mounted a camel adorned with jingling bells. Shumbha, the fierce demon, mounted a great ram, black as time itself. Other heroic Dānavas rode many different mounts. Fierce and wondrous in their deeds, adorned with earrings and turbans, wearing garments of many kinds and decked with various garlands, the Daitya army assembled—an awe-inspiring force, ready to march upon the heavens.