After the mighty Pauṇḍraka was slain by the blessed Vāsudeva, his son Daṇḍapāṇi was overwhelmed by grief and urged by his mother to seek vengeance. Commanded by fate itself, Daṇḍapāṇi, guided by his family priest, undertook a grand Śaiva sacrifice, worshipping Śaṃkara with the hope of obtaining power to destroy Kṛṣṇa. Śiva, pleased by his devotion and out of affection, granted Daṇḍapāṇi a formidable boon: a Māheśvarī Kṛtyā, a magical being of tremendous strength, specifically for the purpose of slaying Kṛṣṇa. The king of Kāśī beheld this terrifying Māheśvarī, whose form was wrapped in flames, her hair ablaze, eyes tawny and fierce, mouth gaping and fiery, wielding a trident, smeared with ashes, adorned with a garland of human heads, and so dreadful that even the gods trembled before her. Given by Rudra himself, she was sent forth, accompanied by the king’s sons, wives, and relatives, to destroy Kṛṣṇa. This fearsome being, her radiance burning the earth and her roar echoing like the thunder of dissolution, arrived at Dvārakā, bringing terror to all the worlds. The people of Dvārakā, witnessing her arrival, believed the great dissolution had come; in panic and distress, they rushed to Kṛṣṇa for help. Kṛṣṇa, calming their fears, assured them there was nothing to worry about. He saw the dreadful Kṛtyā standing at the city gate and, without hesitation, released his mighty Sudarśana discus, whose thousand spokes could repel all weapons and missiles. The Sudarśana, brilliant as millions of suns at the end of an age, towering a hundred yojanas high, filled with blazing weapons, golden and radiant, capable of both destruction and preservation, worshipped by all gods and the refuge of the universe, was unleashed against the Kṛtyā. Seeing the Sudarśana, the Kṛtyā was overcome by fear, her power vanished, and she fled, crying out, back toward Vārāṇasī. The Sudarśana pursued her relentlessly. Terrified, the Kṛtyā entered the inner palace of the king of Kāśī. The Sudarśana reached Vārāṇasī and, with its blazing might, reduced the Māheśvarī city—its palaces, mansions, Daṇḍapāṇi the king, his servants, army, and vehicles—to ashes. After this destruction, the Sudarśana, worshipped by gods and sages, returned once more to the gentle hand of Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā, as if returning to the world-tree itself. Verses were sung in praise: The sorceress was destroyed by the power of weapons and missiles, leaving only ashes, and the city of Vārāṇasī, abundant with chariots, elephants, horses, men, women, treasures, and storerooms—so splendid that even the gods found it difficult to behold—was burned completely. With all its gates, houses, walls, and courtyards marked, Hari’s discus consumed the city entirely. Having accomplished the impossible, the blazing Sudarśana returned to the hand of Viṣṇu. Thus concludes the one hundred and fifty-first chapter of the glorious Padma Mahāpurāṇa, in the Uttarakanda, within the dialogue of Uma and Maheshvara, recounting the destruction of Pauṇḍraka’s son’s sorcery. Afterward, Śri Rudra spoke: The king of Magadha, Jarasandha, after the death of Kamsa, continually oppressed the Yadavas out of hatred. Distressed, the Yadavas approached Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa summoned Bhīma and Arjuna and consulted with them: Jarasandha had worshipped Rudra, and by his grace, was invulnerable to weapons. How could he be slain? After deliberation, Bhīma advised, “Engage him in a wrestling match; he has pledged to do so.” Thus, Vāsudeva, worshipped by all beings, together with Bhīma and Arjuna, went to Jarasandha’s city, disguised as Brahmins, and entered his inner chambers. Jarasandha, having defeated mighty Kshatriyas in battle, had captured and imprisoned them in his palace. Each month, on Krishna Chaturdashi, he would kill one and offer their blood as sacrifice to Bhairava. While he was engaged in this slaughter, Bhīma, Arjuna, and Kṛṣṇa entered his house in disguise. Seeing them, Jarasandha bowed respectfully, seated them, honored them with the madhuparka ceremony, and said, “I am blessed, my purpose is fulfilled. Why have you come? Tell me, and I will grant you whatever you desire.” Vāsudeva, smiling, replied, “Kṛṣṇa, Bhīma, and Arjuna have come for battle. Choose one of us for a duel.” Jarasandha agreed and chose Bhīma. A terrifying wrestling match ensued between Bhīma and Jarasandha, lasting twenty-five days. Finally, prompted by Kṛṣṇa, Bhīma, the son of the wind, split Jarasandha’s body in two and cast him to the ground. Thus, Jarasandha was slain, and Vāsudeva freed the imprisoned kings. Those kings, bowing and praising Madhusudana, returned to their own lands, all protected by Kṛṣṇa. Then, accompanied by Bhīma and Arjuna, Vāsudeva went to Indraprastha and caused Yudhiṣṭhira to perform the great royal sacrifice, Rājasūya. When the sacrifice was completed, the foremost honor was given to Kṛṣṇa, with Bhīṣma’s approval. At that moment, Śiśupāla spoke many words of accusation against Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, with the Sudarśana discus, cut off Śiśupāla’s head. At the end of three births, he attained resemblance to Hari. Hearing of Śiśupāla’s death, Dantavaktra came to Mathurā to fight Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, hearing of this, mounted his chariot and went to Mathurā. A fierce battle took place between Dantavaktra and Vāsudeva at the city gate, on the bank of the Yamunā, lasting a day and night. Kṛṣṇa struck him down with his mace, crushing and piercing all his limbs; Dantavaktra fell lifeless, like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt. He too attained union with Hari, the supreme, eternal abode of bliss, accessible to yogis. Thus, Jaya and Vijaya, by the pretext of Sanaka and others’ curse, descended into worldly existence solely for the Lord’s play, and even in three births were slain by him; at the end of three births, they attained liberation. Kṛṣṇa, having slain Dantavaktra, crossed the Yamunā, went to Nandavraja, greeted and comforted his former parents, and, embraced by them with tearful throats, bowed to and comforted all the elder cowherds. He satisfied those present with jewels, ornaments, and other gifts, bringing peace and joy to all.