Armed with his formidable weapons, Naraka unleashed devastation upon the gods, striking them down and establishing himself as the unchallenged ruler within a dazzling city he conjured by his own magic. This city, pure and radiant, floated high in the sky; Naraka dwelled there, adorned in resplendent garments, a vision of might and power. The gods, overwhelmed and terrified by Naraka’s onslaught, gathered together in distress. Led by Indra, the lord of Śacī, they sought refuge with Kṛṣṇa, the doer of blameless deeds and their eternal protector. Hearing of Naraka’s actions and the suffering of the gods, Kṛṣṇa assured them of safety and turned his thoughts to Garuḍa, his mighty and ever-honored vehicle. At that very moment, Garuḍa, revered by all the gods, appeared before Hari, palms joined in humble devotion. Mounting the king of birds, and accompanied by Satyā, Kṛṣṇa—praised by the sages—set out for the abode of the demons. Arriving, Kṛṣṇa beheld Naraka’s city, blazing in the sky like a second sun, filled with multitudes of demons adorned with celestial ornaments. The city’s fortifications were so formidable that even the gods could not breach them. Undaunted, Kṛṣṇa prepared his radiant discus, his presence cutting through the darkness like the sun’s first light. Suddenly, hordes of demons surged forth, brandishing spears, javelins, clubs, and heavy maces. They hurled their weapons at Keśava, but their assault was as futile as straw flung at fire. The Lord, bearer of the Garuḍa banner, seized his divine bow Śārṅga. With arrows blazing like tongues of fire, he shattered their weapons and struck down the necks of their elephants and swift horses. With his discus alone, Kṛṣṇa, the mightiest among men, severed the ranks of his foes; some demons fell to the discus, others to his arrows, and many more to his mace. The battlefield became a graveyard for the demons, their bodies cast down upon the earth, split as mountains are by the thunderbolt of Indra. Having slain all the Dānavas, the lotus-eyed Lord sounded his great conch, Pāñcajanya. At that signal, Naraka, the mighty demon, took up his bow, mounted his divine chariot, and charged into battle against Keśava. Their combat was fierce and tumultuous, a spectacle to make one’s hair stand on end. Arrows flew in thousands from both warriors, raining down like monsoon clouds. Then, Vāsudeva, the eternal one, loosed a crescent-shaped arrow, severing Naraka’s bow, and followed with a powerful divine weapon aimed at the demon’s broad chest. Struck in the heart, Naraka fell to the earth with a thunderous crash, like a mountain smitten by Indra’s bolt. Kṛṣṇa approached the fallen Rākṣasa, and, prompted by the earth herself, offered the dying demon a final boon. Naraka, standing atop Garuḍa, replied, “I have no need for a boon, for I am Naraka. Yet for the welfare of the worlds, I ask this highest boon: O Kṛṣṇa, Lord of all beings, on the day of my death, may those who perform the auspicious bath never fall into hell. Let it be so, O remover of fear.” Mahādeva himself declared, “So be it,” and Govinda granted the boon. Naraka, gazing upon Hari’s feet—radiant as autumn lotuses and adorned with anklets of thunderbolt-gem and cat’s-eye, worshipped by Brahmā, Rudra, and the sages—gave up his life and attained a form resembling Hari’s own. The gods, their hearts overflowing with joy, showered flowers from the heavens as the great sages offered their praises. Kṛṣṇa then entered Naraka’s city and, by his might, reclaimed the jewels of the gods, the earrings of the divine mother, and the celestial horse Uccaiḥśravas. He also took Airāvata, the foremost of elephants, and a blazing mountain of gems—all of which the best of the Yadus returned to Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt. Naraka, in his time of power, had conquered all the kings of every realm and carried off sixteen thousand maidens, confining them within his palace. When they beheld Kṛṣṇa, radiant and resplendent as a hundred Cupids, each one chose him as her husband, recognizing in him the all-pervading Lord of the universe. In that very moment, Govinda, assuming manifold forms, took each maiden by the hand according to custom, honoring their choice. Bringing forth all the daughters of Naraka, they sought shelter in Govinda, the ocean of compassion who had freed them. Respecting their words, Kṛṣṇa established them all in his kingdom. Placing the noble women in Indra’s celestial chariot and aided by divine messengers, he settled them in Dvārakā. Then, with Satyā, Kṛṣṇa mounted Garuḍa and swiftly journeyed to the world of the gods to see the divine mother. Entering the city of the king of the gods, Janārdana descended from Garuḍa with his wife. There, he bowed before his mother, Aditi, revered among the dwellers of heaven. Aditi, affectionate as ever, embraced her son with loving arms. Seating her in the chief place, Kṛṣṇa worshipped her with devotion, joined by the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, and Indra himself. He then worshipped the supreme lord, while Satyabhama, illustrious among women, entered the house of Śacī. Honored by the goddess, Satyabhama sat comfortably, and at that time, the attendants of the Parijata brought forth splendid, divine flowers.