O Nārada, as the fierce battle raged on, one valiant soul struggled mightily to free himself from his bonds, but despite all his efforts, he could not break free. Sensing the urgency, the great-souled warrior seized a heavy mace and, with swift determination, struck down the wicked Rāhu. In the thick of the fray, Ghaṭodara wielded his mace with power, while Sukeśī, lord of the demons, fought fiercely with his sword. Then, with a battle-axe, he split open the head of Tuhuṇ, whose body had only just been abandoned in the chaos of war. Amidst the tumult, five warriors, blazing together like a single fire of destruction, plunged into the ranks of the foremost Dānavas. Swinging his mace with deadly force, the hero struck Vināyaka on the head, the temple, and the hand. Kumbhadhvaja’s joints were crushed to powder, and Ghaṭodara’s thigh-joints were shattered in the onslaught. Without pause, the mighty one rushed forward to slay the leaders of the hosts—Skanda, Viśākha, and the others. Turning to the mountain lord, he spoke commanding words: “Go, O hero, and slay the Daityas in battle.” With courage, he approached Bali and struck him on the head, causing the bewildered leader to collapse to the ground. Filled with anger, moving with great speed and agitation, he charged at Nandi. In the heat of battle, he struck Kujambha with the same weapon, and lifeless, Kujambha fell to the earth. Seeing their numbers cut down by the leader of the hosts, the surviving demons sought refuge with Duryodhana. Brandishing a spear that shone like lightning, the hero hurled it at Nandi, declaring, “You are slain!” But when he saw that his missile had been cut down, he gathered his strength and approached the host once more. Struck down, he fell swiftly to the ground, and the terrified demons scattered in all directions. Undaunted, the hero seized his mighty bow and pierced his foes with arrows as fierce as the rod of death. Though Vināyaka and the others were powerful, they found themselves surrounded on all sides by a network of demon arrows. Swiftly approaching the enemy with unwavering gaze, the hero struck his opponent’s heart with a spear. The enemy was slain, and the hostile army once again turned to flight. Placing Nandina at their front, the warriors rallied, seeking to destroy the Dānavas. Yet the mighty ones, led by Kārtasvara, turned back again. Nandiṣeṇa, Vyāghramukha, and the swift Vegavān also withdrew from the field. O Nārada, Kārtasvara returned, taking up his mace once more. Whirling his spear, the hero struck Kārtasvara on the head, his battle cry echoing loudly. Then he bound the lord of the Gaṇas and Nandiṣeṇa together with his spear. At that moment, Viśākha, son of Kapi, approached, ready for battle, spear in hand. The mighty hero engaged Viśākha, the bearer of the cock-banner, in fierce combat. Śākha and Naigameya swiftly charged at the enemy, their movements a blur on the battlefield. They reached Śambara at once, as the lords of the Gaṇas watched intently. Yet, in a flash, Śambara vanished, as if the very earth had dissolved into the sky. O divine sage, the youthful warrior then turned to the four directions and struck down the enemy army. Amidst the devastation, a woman, her form dejected and limbs trembling with fear, overwhelmed by distress and terror, sought shelter with Śukra. Andhaka, too, approached Śukra and spoke these words: then, O sage among the twice-born, he summoned the Gandharvas, Asuras, and Kinnaras to his side. He declared, “Just as a woman without a protector is tormented by evil ones, so too are these inexhaustible fiends, like the fruit of Kurukṣetra. And as we conquer others in battle, so should you act accordingly. For your benefit, I will strive and do what pleases you.