From the mysterious skull, there emerged a striking figure: a man crowned and armed with bow and arrows, bearing two quivers, his broad shoulders like those of a bull, and his body marked with distinctive finger-lines. Radiant as fire, this man appeared within the skull, and upon seeing him, the blessed Viṣṇu turned to Rudra and inquired, “O Bhava, who is this man who has appeared in the skull?” Hearing these words from Hari, the Lord replied, “Listen, O mighty one.” Rudra explained, “This man is named Nara, foremost among those skilled in supreme weapons. Since you called him Nara, he shall be known as Nara.” He continued, “Nara and Nārāyaṇa—both will become renowned in the ages, fighting for the gods’ cause and protecting the worlds. Nara will be the companion of Nārāyaṇa; in the destruction of the demons, this great and radiant one will be your ally.” Rudra further revealed, “A sage will become foremost in the world in the examination of knowledge. This divine, exceedingly radiant fifth head of Brahma—born 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 empower him to conquer his enemy in battle. Even those who are invincible or 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. Standing within the skull, the noble-minded hero praised both Hara and Keśava, placing his joined hands upon his head. He asked them, “What shall I do?” and stood with reverence. To him, the illustrious Hara spoke, channeling his own energy as Brahma: “A man holding a bow has been created by me; strike him down.” As the hero stood with joined hands, praising, Śaṅkara spoke to him. Then, taking both his reverent hands and raising him from the skull, Śaṅkara spoke again: “This fierce man, whom I have recognized as yours, has been cast into the deluding sleep fashioned by Viṣṇu’s roar. Awaken him quickly.” With these words, Hara vanished. Then, in the presence of Nārāyaṇa, the man was struck by the left foot and, of great strength, rose up. A great battle ensued between the one born of sweat and the one born of blood. The sound of their drawn bows resounded across the earth; the armor of the one born of sweat was struck off by the one born of blood. Their combat lasted two divine years, as the one born of sweat and the one born of blood fought relentlessly. Seeing the one born of blood with two arms and the one born of sweat locked in combat, Vāsudeva reflected and went to the supreme abode of Brahma. With agitation, Madhusūdana spoke to Brahma: “O Brahma, today the one born of sweat has been struck down by the one born of blood.” Hearing this, Brahma, disturbed, replied, “O Hari, in your next birth, this man will be mine, living from today.” Viṣṇu, pleased, said, “So it shall be.” Then, returning to the combatants, he stopped their battle and spoke to both: “In another birth, at the junction of the Kali and Dvāpara ages, when a great battle arises between you, there I will unite you both.” Viṣṇu then summoned the lords of the planets and the gods, commanding, “These two noble men are to be protected by you, according to my instruction.” He declared, “This being, born from sweat, is a portion of the thousand-rayed one, and at the end of the Dvāpara age, he will descend to earth for the accomplishment of the gods’ purpose.” Viṣṇu described how, in the lineage of the Yadus, a mighty man named Śūra would arise, and his daughter, Pṛthā, would be peerless in beauty upon the earth. This greatly fortunate one would be born for the fulfillment of the gods’ purpose. Durvāsas would grant her a boon, giving her a collection of mantras. With this mantra, whichever god she invokes with devotion, by his favor, he will become her son. He continued, “She, seeing you at sunrise, filled with desire and in her time of menstruation, will be overcome by anxiety and will worship you, O blazing one. In her womb, you will be born as a son before marriage, O son of Kuntī, for the accomplishment of the gods’ task.” The radiant Sun, hearing this, declared, “So be it. I will beget a son, born before marriage, proud of his strength. His name will be Karṇa, as all the world will call him. By my favor, O Viṣṇu, he will be devoted to the brāhmaṇas and noble in spirit. There is nothing in this world, O Keśava, that will be unattainable for him. Thus, by your word, I will beget him with such power.” Having spoken thus, the thousand-rayed Sun vanished, addressing Nārāyaṇa, the great-souled slayer of the Dānavas. When the god Bhāskara, remover of darkness, had disappeared, Viṣṇu spoke with a joyful heart to Vṛddhaśravas as well: “This man, arisen from the blood of the thousand-eyed one by my favor, being a portion of myself, should be employed by you on earth at the end of the Dvāpara age.” Viṣṇu revealed, “When the greatly fortunate Pāṇḍu obtains Pṛthā as his wife, and also Mādrī, then he will go to the forest. While he dwells in the forest, a deer will curse him; because of that, filled with dispassion, he will go to Śataśṛṅga. Desiring no sons born of his own seed, he will tell his wife, and then Kuntī, unwilling, will speak to her husband.” Thus, the divine arrangements were set in motion, the destinies of great souls intertwined for the fulfillment of the gods’ purpose and the protection of the worlds.