Clad in gleaming golden armor and wielding iron clubs, the Kālakeyas surged forward against the gods, fierce as trees scorched by a forest fire. The gods, unable to withstand the onslaught of these united and swift-moving foes, broke ranks and fled in terror. Witnessing his own forces retreating, Indra—the thousand-eyed lord—was seized by deep distress, for Vritra’s power was growing ever greater. Seeing Indra overcome, the eternal Vishnu infused his own divine energy into him, greatly strengthening Indra’s might. Observing Indra’s newfound vigor, all the gods, together with the pure Brahmarshis, endowed him with their own energies as well. Thus empowered by Vishnu, the gods, and the great sages, Indra became a force to be reckoned with. Vritra, realizing that the lord of the gods had become strong, let out a tremendous roar. At his cry, the earth, the directions, sky, heavens, and even the mountains trembled. Mahendra—Indra—tormented and fearful upon hearing that terrible, immense roar, hurled his mighty thunderbolt at Vritra’s head with all his strength. Struck by Indra’s weapon, Vritra fell with a resounding crash, adorned with golden garlands, just as the great Mandara mountain had once fallen from Vishnu’s hand. With the chief of the Daityas slain, Indra, still gripped by fear, fled and hid in a lake. Though he had cast his thunderbolt, his terror blinded him to the fact that Vritra had been killed. The gods, overjoyed, praised Indra, while the remaining Daityas, distressed by Vritra’s death, were swiftly struck down by the gods. The great Asuras, swift as the wind, fled in terror and plunged into the immeasurable ocean. Within the ocean teeming with fish and jewels, the Asuras performed rituals together. Some, steadfast in their resolve, considered various means of survival. Afflicted by fear and scorched by the power of the gods, they resolved upon the destruction of the three worlds. As the end of their time approached, a dreadful thought arose among them: those who possess knowledge and ascetic power must first be destroyed, for all worlds are upheld by asceticism. Therefore, they must hasten to bring about the end of asceticism. They decided that all ascetics and knowers of dharma upon the earth should be slain quickly, for with their destruction, the world itself would perish. Thus, their minds set on the destruction of the world and utterly depraved, they took refuge in the fortress-like, wave-tossed ocean—the abode of Varuna, filled with jewels. Having reached this watery abode, the Kaleyas gathered there to bring about the ruin of the three worlds. Then, at night, filled with hostility, they began to devour the sages dwelling in hermitages and sacred places. In the hermitage of Vasistha, the brahmins were eaten by those evil-minded ones; eighty-eight hundred other ascetics in the forest perished as well. The demons went to the hermitage of Cyavana—sacred and frequented by twice-born sages—and consumed a hundred ascetics who lived on fruits and roots. Thus, acting by night, they entered the forests by day, reaching the hermitage of Bharadvāja, where disciplined celibate sages resided. There, twenty ascetics who lived only on air and water were slain. In this way, the demons, step by step, devoured the sages for food. At night, relying on their strength, they roamed about, killing many groups of sages in due course. Yet, O king of men, the people did not realize this horror. There was no recitation of the Vedas, no ritual exclamations, and the festivals of sacrifice had ceased. The world became dispirited, afflicted by the terror of the Kāleyas; thus, O lord of men, the people were being destroyed. Frightened and intent on saving themselves, they fled in all ten directions; some entered caves, while others scattered—these were the twice-born sages. Some, overwhelmed by fear, abandoned their lives out of terror; others, great archers, heroic and supremely proud, remained behind. They made every effort to pursue the demons, but did not follow them into the ocean where they had taken refuge. They found no peace, only destruction; with the cessation of sacrifices and festivals, the world fell into disorder. Then, O king of men, the gods, greatly distressed, assembled together with Indra and, out of fear, held a council. Placing Nārāyaṇa, the unconquered one of Vaikuṇṭha, at the forefront, the assembled gods addressed Madhusūdana: "You are our creator, protector, and sustainer, O Lord of the world; all that moves and does not move has been created by you. Once, O lotus-eyed one, when the earth was lost in the ocean, you assumed the form of a boar and raised her up for the sake of the world. Long ago, the first and mighty demon Hiraṇyakaśipu was slain by you, O Supreme Person, after you took the form of Narasiṃha. Bali, the great asura, invincible to all beings, was cast down from the three worlds by you, assuming the form of Vāmana. The asura Jambha, famed as a mighty archer and cruel disturber of sacrifices, was struck down by you, O enemy of Madhu, together with the gods. Such deeds of yours are countless; for us, who are terrified, you are our refuge, O slayer of Madhu. Therefore, O Lord of gods, we entreat you for the sake of the worlds: protect the worlds, the gods, and Indra from this great danger. By your grace, all four kinds of beings flourish; humans remain well, and the celestials are satisfied with offerings of oblations and ancestral rites." Thus, the gods pleaded with Vishnu, seeking his protection and guidance in their hour of peril.