The tumult of battle rose, drums thundering in joyous frenzy, mingled with the music of song and instruments. Their sounds filled the air, exulting in the clash that was to come. On the field, the assembled hosts, their fury ignited, surged forward, intent on destroying the army of demons before them. Amidst this tumult, Tuhuṇḍa, ablaze with wrath, rushed forth at tremendous speed. His form shone with dazzling brilliance, like Indra’s banner raised high for all to see. Such was his presence that even the Rudras, and all the gods up to Skanda, were seized by fear. Yet, mustering their courage, they sped toward Tuhuṇḍa, leader of the mighty Dānavas. With a roar, Tuhuṇḍa hurled his iron club into the midst of the formation. The weapon shattered upon impact, bursting into a hundred fragments, as if a thunderbolt had struck the summit of Mount Meru itself. Undeterred, he cast his arm-noose and bound Rāhu, who had been guarding his uncle. In the chaos, Mahodara struck Rāhu on the head with an axe. Rāhu struggled to free himself, but, O Nārada, he could not escape. Then, seizing a mace with swift resolve, the great-souled Mahodara struck down the wicked Rāhu. Ghaṭodara too joined in, wielding his mace, while Sukeśī, lord of the demons, attacked with his sword. With a mighty blow from a battle-axe, Tuhuṇ’s head was split open—his body already deserted, his life force fled. Five warriors, blazing together like a single fire of destruction, plunged into the army of the foremost Dānavas. Swinging his mace, one struck Vināyaka upon the head, the temple, and the hand. Kumbhadhvaja’s joints were crushed to powder, and Ghaṭodara’s thigh-bones shattered in the fray. The mighty assailant then rushed to slay the lords of the hosts—Skanda, Viśākha, and their companions. Turning to the lord of the mountains, he commanded, “Go, O hero, and slay the Daityas in battle!” Advancing upon Bali, he struck him upon the head, and Bali, bewildered, collapsed to the ground. Still burning with rage and moving with great speed, he charged at Nandi, and in the thick of battle, struck Kujambha with the same weapon, felling him lifeless to the earth. As the leader of the hosts continued his onslaught, those being slain fled for refuge to Duryodhana. Brandishing a spear radiant as lightning, he hurled it at Nandi, declaring, “You are slain!” But when he saw his missile cut down, he gathered his strength anew and advanced upon the host. Struck down in turn, he fell swiftly to the ground, and terror seized the demon ranks, scattering them in all directions. Seizing his mighty bow, he rained arrows upon his foes, each shaft fierce as the rod of Death himself. Even Vināyaka and the other powerful warriors found themselves surrounded on all sides by a network of demon arrows. Pressing forward, he fixed his gaze on the enemy, and with a well-aimed spear, struck him in the heart. The foe was slain, and once more the hostile army broke and fled. Regrouping, the warriors placed Nandina at the forefront, determined to slay the Dānavas. Yet the mighty ones, led by Kārtasvara, turned back to face them. Nandiṣeṇa, Vyāghramukha, and the swift Vegavān also withdrew from the fray. O Nārada, Kārtasvara returned, mace in hand. But as he roared, a spear whirled through the air and struck Kārtasvara on the head. Then the hero bound both the lord of the Gaṇas and Nandiṣeṇa together with his spear. At that moment, Viśākha, son of Kapi, approached, spear poised for battle. The mighty one engaged Viśākha, the bearer of the cock-banner, and they fought fiercely. Śākha and Naigameya, swift as thought, charged together at the enemy, their spirits undaunted, ready for the next phase of the struggle.