The worlds, founded upon righteousness, rejoiced in their hearts when they heard the words of Viṣṇu, who had resolved to destroy the enemies. With Viṣṇu’s assurance ringing in their ears, the Daityas and Dānavas began their immense preparations for battle and victory. Among their preparations, a magnificent golden chariot was made for me—three and a half yojanas long, imperishable, with four great wheels, vast and splendidly constructed and fitted with a mighty yoke. The chariot resounded with the melodious jingling of small bells, was adorned with tiger and leopard skins, and sparkled with intricate networks of gems and golden lattices. Herds of antelopes gathered around it, rows of birds graced its sides, and divine quivers of arrows were ready within; the chariot echoed with sounds like thunderclouds. Its axle was broad and noble, perfectly placed, resembling the vast sky itself. Within, the chariot was filled with maces and iron clubs, as if containing the embodied ocean. Golden armlets and bracelets decorated its form, golden circular hubs gleamed, and banners and flags fluttered, reminiscent of the sun shining atop Mount Mandara. In places, the chariot appeared like the lord of elephants, radiated with the brilliance of a lion, and was yoked to a thousand bears, roaring like a fully thundering cloud. This radiant, celestial, sky-going chariot, capable of breaking enemy chariots, was mounted by the eager warrior, shining like the sun on Mount Meru. The entire golden chariot, vast as a mountain and with a broad, far-reaching platform, unconfined, resembled a mass of dark collyrium. It was crafted from black iron, divine, with iron-bound hubs, emitting rays like rising darkness, and roaring like a raincloud. Covered with a great lattice of iron and fitted with windows, it was filled with iron clubs and throwing maces. Spears and nooses were spread out across it, with spikes not joined together, and terrifying javelins and battle-axes adorned its sides. Rising up for the destruction of enemies, like a second Mandara mountain, yoked to a thousand donkeys, the warrior ascended this supreme chariot. At the front of the army, Virocana stood, enraged, wielding a mace, resembling a mountain with blazing peaks. The demon Hayagriva, yoked to a thousand chariots, drove forward, intent on crushing the enemy host. The boar stood at the front, drawing a great bow strung with a thousand bowstrings, like a mountain with its shoots. The donkey, exuding arrogance, shed tears of rage from his eyes; his teeth, lips, and eyes quivered as he eagerly awaited battle. Tvaṣṭṛ, the mighty demon, mounted his fierce, specially crafted elephant, and moved about to arrange the demon army formation. Śveta, son of Vipracitti, adorned with white earrings and resembling a white mountain, stood facing the battle. Ariṣṭa, son of Bali, the foremost wielder of mountain slabs as weapons, faced the battle, shaking the earth and mountains. Kiśora, called so out of great excitement, prepared with the Dānavas and their forces, arranging themselves in order. In the midst of the Daitya army, Lamba appeared like the rising sun, resembling a new cloud and adorned in garments of dark hue. Svarbhānu entered the Daitya formation, shining like the sun in mist, ready for battle, with weapons held in his mouth, teeth, lips, and eyes. That great planet, standing before the Daityas, laughed; others mounted horses, some rode elephants, while others rode lions and tigers, boars and bears, donkeys and camels, or wild beasts. Other Daityas formed the infantry, terrifying with distorted faces; some had one leg, some half a leg, and they danced, eager for battle. Many struck their palms, others snorted, and the leading Dānavas roared with the fierce sound of excited tigers. Wielding fierce maces and iron clubs, stones and pestles, they threatened the gods with their arms shaped like clubs. They played with nooses, spears, clubs, javelins, hooks, axes, hundred-killers, and multi-bladed hammers. With mountain peaks, stones, and excellent iron clubs, and with discs, the foremost Daityas made their army rejoice. The entire Daitya army, intoxicated with the passion for battle, stood facing the gods like a wild mass of storm clouds. This wondrous force of thousands of Daityas, dense as wind, fire, mountains, clouds, and water, surged forth in the flood of battle, appearing mad with the desire to fight. Now, O son of the Sun, having heard the expanse of the Daitya army, hear of the vast Vaiṣṇava army of the gods. The Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, and the mighty Aśvins, along with their forces and attendants, prepared themselves in order. Puruhūta, lord of the worlds and leader of all the gods, with a thousand eyes, mounted the divine elephant at the front. In the center was his chariot, drawn by the best swans among birds, with beautiful wheels and feet, adorned with golden thunderbolts. He was followed by thousands of hosts of gods, Gandharvas, and Yakṣas, accompanied by radiant councilors and praised by Brahmarṣis. Accompanied by clouds that arose with the thunder of lightning and the roar of Indra’s weapon, he appeared as if mountains, moving at will, were gathered together. Mounted upon Yama, that blessed Lord traversed the entire world; at the sacrificial offerings, Brahmins sang his praises as he stood at the forefront of the ritual.