The Daitya army assembled in all its terrifying splendor. At its heart was a chariot of divine black iron, its hubs bound and fortified, casting rays like rising darkness and roaring with the thunderous sound of a raincloud. Its iron latticework was immense, fitted with windows and packed with iron clubs and maces ready to be hurled. The chariot was adorned with spears and nooses spread out, spikes unjoined, and an array of javelins and battle-axes that struck fear into all who beheld it. It rose up, a second Mandara mountain, mighty and menacing, yoked to a thousand donkeys. Upon this supreme chariot, the leader ascended, intent on the destruction of his enemies. At the forefront stood Virocana, his anger blazing, gripping a mace and shining like a mountain peak alight with fire. Nearby, the demon Hayagriva, yoked to a thousand chariots, drove forward, his mind set on crushing the opposing host. The boar, formidable, stood at the front, drawing a massive bow strung with a thousand bowstrings, resembling a mountain sprouting shoots. The donkey, exuding arrogance, shed tears of rage; his teeth, lips, and eyes quivered with fury as he waited eagerly for battle. Tvaṣṭṛ, the mighty demon, mounted his fierce, specially crafted elephant, moving about to arrange the formation of the demon army. Śveta, son of Vipracitti, adorned with white earrings and resembling a white mountain, stood ready to face the battle. Ariṣṭa, son of Bali and foremost wielder of mountain slabs as weapons, shook the earth and mountains as he prepared for combat. Kiśora, out of great excitement, was called by his name, and the Dānavas, with their forces, organized themselves for war. Lamba appeared in the midst of the Daitya army, shining like the rising sun, resembling a new cloud, and adorned in garments of dark hue. Svarbhānu entered the formation, glowing like the sun in mist, ready for battle with weapons held in his mouth, teeth, lips, and eyes. That great planet stood before the Daityas, laughing, while others were mounted on horses and elephants. Some rode lions and tigers, others boars and bears; some mounted donkeys and camels, while others chose wild beasts as their vehicles. Yet other Daityas were infantry, terrifying with distorted faces—some had one leg, some half a leg, and they danced, eager for battle. Many struck their palms together, others snorted, and the leading Dānavas roared with the fierce sound of excited tigers. Armed with maces and iron clubs, stones and pestles, they threatened the gods, their arms shaped like clubs. They played with nooses, spears, clubs, javelins, hooks, axes, deadly hammers, and multi-bladed weapons. With mountain peaks, stones, excellent iron clubs, and discs, the foremost Daityas roused their army to joy. The entire Daitya host, intoxicated with the passion for battle, stood facing the gods like a wild mass of storm clouds. Their wondrous force, thousands strong, dense as wind, fire, mountains, clouds, and water, surged forth in the flood of battle, appearing mad with the desire to fight. Having heard of the expanse of the Daitya army, now behold the expanse of the Vaiṣṇava army of the gods. The Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, and the mighty Aśvins, along with their forces and attendants, arrayed themselves in order. Puruhūta, the lord of worlds and leader of all the gods, with a thousand eyes, mounted the divine elephant at the front. In the center, his chariot was drawn by the finest swans among birds, its wheels and feet beautiful, adorned with golden thunderbolts. He was followed by thousands of hosts of gods, Gandharvas, and Yakṣas, accompanied by radiant councilors and praised by Brahmarṣis. Clouds arose with the thunder of lightning and the roar of Indra’s weapon, making it seem as though mountains, moving at will, had gathered together. Mounted upon Yama, the blessed Lord traversed the world; at sacrificial offerings, Brahmins sang his praises as he stood at the forefront of ritual. In heaven, as Indra proceeded with his followers and divine drums resounded, hundreds of groups of beautiful apsaras danced in celebration. Adorned with the serpent-banner, shining like the sun, yoked to a thousand horses, Indra moved with the speed of mind and wind. His excellent chariot, concealed by Matali, shone brilliantly, surrounded entirely, like Mount Meru enveloped by the brilliance of the sun. Yama, raising his staff and wielding a mace bound with time, stood among the host of gods, terrifying the demons with his roar. Joined with four oceans and licking serpents, adorned with conch and pearl bracelets, he bore a watery form. Brandishing the nooses of time, with horses resembling the moon—swift as wind and shaped like water—he performed countless playful acts. Clad in shining white garments, with coral-bright bracelets, his body dark as a precious gem, the noble one bore the weight of the gods. Varuna, holding a noose, stood in the midst of the host of gods, desiring the boundary of battle, like the ocean with its shore broken. Accompanied by armies of Yakshas and Rakshasas, and the hosts of Guhyakas, the lord of treasures, powerful and adorned with conch and lotus, joined the ranks. The illustrious king of kings appeared, holding a mace in his hand; the lord of wealth, a chariot-warrior, stood in the celestial chariot Pushpaka, ready for the great conflict to come.