Indra, beholding the assembled lords of the Daityas, addressed them with wonder. “O lords of the Daityas,” he said, “you were born long ago and once ruled the realm of the gods. Why have you now taken up this vow, which destroys the Vedas—why do you go about naked, shaven-headed, and carrying water pots? Why do you stand here with peacock-feather banners?” The Daityas replied, “We have abandoned all demonic nature and now abide in the dharma of sages. Our deeds increase righteousness among all beings. Enjoy the sovereignty of the three worlds, O Śakra, and depart.” Indra, known as Maghavan, accepted their words, saying, “So be it,” and returned to the realm of the gods. Thus, O Bhīṣma, all the Daityas were deluded by the priest of the gods. The foremost among the Daityas then reached the river Narmadā. Śukra, their teacher, informed them of all that had happened. Once again, intent on seizing the three worlds, they formed a cruel resolve. Bhīṣma, full of curiosity, then asked, “How was Arjuna, slayer of enemy heroes, born from Tripura? And why is Karṇa, though called a sūta’s son, said to be born out of wedlock? How did those two come to possess their boons by nature? Tell me, for you are worthy to speak of it.” Pulastya answered, “Once, when Brahmā’s mouth was cut, he was seized by great anger. Sweat arose on his forehead, which he took and struck upon the earth. From that sweat was born Kuṇḍalī, armed with bow and great arrows, a hero clad in a thousand armors. He asked, ‘What shall I do?’ Brahmā, the Creator, pointed out mighty Rudra and said, ‘Let this evil-minded one be slain, so that he may not be born again.’ Hearing Brahmā’s command, Kuṇḍalī took up his bow, arrows in hand and fierce gaze, and pursued Maheśa. Seeing this exceedingly terrible man, Rudra, the three-eyed one, was afraid. He fled swiftly to Viṣṇu’s hermitage, crying, ‘Save me, save me, O Viṣṇu, slayer of foes, from this man! Created by Brahmā, he is sinful, of mleccha form, and terrifying. O Lord of the world, act so that, in his anger, he does not kill me.’ Viṣṇu, with a mighty roar, bewildered Kuṇḍalī. Invisible to all beings, the master of yoga, Keśava, soothed Rudra, whose eyes were deformed from fear, as he arrived. Then Rudra bowed to Viṣṇu, who said, ‘You are indeed my grandson, O Rudra. What boon shall I grant you?’ Rudra, showing a skull blazing with fierce radiance before him, said, ‘Give me alms.’ Viṣṇu beheld Rudra with the skull in his hand and thought, ‘Who else would be worthy now to receive alms from me?’ Concluding that Rudra was worthy, Viṣṇu offered his right arm. The moon-crested one pierced it with his exceedingly sharp trident. A stream of blood began to flow from Viṣṇu’s arm, golden as jambūnada gold, appearing like a line of fire. Rudra received the stream in his skull, which fell swiftly and forcefully, touching the sky as it rushed. The stream was fifty yojanas long and ten yojanas wide, and for a thousand divine years it flowed from Hari’s arm. For that entire time, Viṣṇu gave alms into the excellent skull-bowl. Afterwards, Nārāyaṇa spoke to Śambhu, “Is the bowl filled or not, O Supreme Lord?” Hearing Hari’s words, resounding like thunderclouds, Hara—whose eyes are the moon, sun, and fire, adorned with the crescent moon—fixed his gaze with his three eyes upon Janārdana in the skull. He tapped the bowl with his finger and said, “The skull is filled.” Hearing Śiva’s words, Viṣṇu stopped the flow and pressed the blood with his own finger. For another thousand divine years, he churned it with his glances. As the blood was churned, gradually a mass of bubbles arose. From those bubbles appeared a man crowned and armed with bow and arrows, with two quivers bound, bull-shouldered, and marked with finger-lines—a man radiant as fire, seen in the skull. Viṣṇu, seeing him, asked Rudra, “O Bhava, who is this man who has appeared in the skull?” Rudra replied, “Listen, O mighty one. This man is named Nara, foremost among those skilled in supreme weapons. Since you called him Nara, he shall be known as Nara. Nara and Nārāyaṇa—both will become renowned in the age, in battles for the gods’ cause, for the protection of the worlds. This Nara will be the companion of Nārāyaṇa; in the destruction of the demons, this great and radiant one will be your ally. A sage will become the foremost in the world in the examination of knowledge; this divine, exceedingly radiant fifth head of Brahma—from the blazing energy of Brahma, from your arm’s blood, and from the glance of my eye—these three energies, arising from their union, will make him conquer his enemy in battle. Those who are invincible and others difficult to defeat will not be able to slay him. He will be terrifying to Indra and the Maruts.” Having spoken thus, Śambhu stood there, and Hari was amazed at that moment.