He who is known as the peacock, along with his own son Mahājava, and also Aruṇa and Tāmracūḍa, were given as sons. Hari, the wielder of the trident, bestowed a garland, while Maghavan, adorned with a necklace, granted a splendid banner to be worn around the neck. Bhava himself appointed him as the commander of the divine army, and he shone forth with the brilliance of the sun, his form resplendent and mighty. Filled with devotion, he bowed reverently before Bhava, Girijā, Pāvaka, and Śuci. Then, after saluting Brahmā, he spoke these determined words: “By your grace, I shall conquer the enemies—Mahiṣa and Tāraka. Grant me your permission now, together with Brahmā, to proceed. The gods look upon me, their hopes nearly spent.” Taking the sacred object in his right hand, he approached Skanda. He reverently praised the divine feet of Viṣṇu, honored by all the worlds, and offered salutations to the goddess, acknowledging that such worship comes from devotees like himself. Speaking of the great-souled one whose banner bears Garuḍa, he declared that there is truly none higher than Viṣṇu; neither he nor any other embodied being surpasses him. Standing with hands joined in humility, he sought permission from Acyuta. Having performed an auspicious rite, the god graciously consented. Then, addressing the sage among the twice-born, he said, “You must explain all this to Śikhidhvaja on my behalf. For the victory of Skanda and the destruction of the buffalo demon, may Viṣṇu, the unborn one who wields the discus, grant well-being.” He invoked further blessings: “May Pāvaka bestow well-being upon you, O rider of the peacock. May Kāvyā and Saturn always grant you auspiciousness. May Mṛkaṇḍu, his descendants, and the seven great sages bring you well-being. May the Yakṣas, Piśācas, Vasus, and Kinnaras—those ever-watchful beings—grant you safety. May the mighty hosts of spirits and their chiefs, ever ready, always protect you. May you have well-being from those with many feet and safety from those without feet. May Pāśī guard the west and Lakṣmāmaśu the north. May Vāyu protect the northwest, and Śiva the northeast. May Musatī, the plough-bearer, the discus-bearer, and the bowman safeguard the intermediate directions. May Mādhava, resounding with the melody of the Sāma Veda and full of glory, protect you from all sides.” Having bowed to all the gods, he rose from the earth. Those with the power to assume any form followed the youthful commander, taking on the shapes of birds. Together with the mighty Skanda, eager to destroy the great demons, they prepared for battle. With a call to the heroes of great strength, they were urged to descend swiftly to earth. Flying rapidly toward their destination, they made a sound so terrifying that it echoed across the realms. Entering Pātāla, the abode of the demons, through a chasm in the ocean, they encountered Virocana, Jambha, Kujambha, and the formidable demon as well. Startled by the commotion, these demons wondered at its cause and quickly sought out Andhaka. Disturbed, they gathered together to consult about the ominous sound, O Nārada. Then Pātālaketu, the lord of the demons, arrived in Rasātala. Approaching Andhaka, he spoke in distress, saying, “I have made every effort, with all my might, to destroy him.