In the thick of battle, driven by a surge of anger and haste, one of the warriors rushed furiously toward Nandi. Amidst the chaos, he struck Kujambha with his weapon so forcefully that Kujambha fell lifeless to the ground. Witnessing their comrades being cut down by the mighty leader of the hosts, the remaining warriors, overwhelmed and desperate, sought refuge with Duryodhana. But the battle’s fury did not abate. Brandishing a spear that flashed like lightning, an enemy hurled it at Nandi, declaring, “You are slain!” Yet, when that deadly missile was cut down before its mark, the attacker gathered his strength anew and pressed toward the host. Nevertheless, struck down in turn, he fell swiftly to the earth, sending terror through the ranks of the demons, who scattered in all directions. Seizing his formidable bow, another hero loosed arrows as dreadful as the rod of death, piercing the fleeing demons. Even Vinayaka and his mighty companions found themselves beset on all sides, hemmed in by a relentless storm of demon arrows. Undaunted, a valiant warrior swiftly closed in on the enemy, fixed his gaze, and drove a spear straight into the foe’s heart. The enemy fell, and once more, the hostile army broke and fled. Now, placing Nandina at the forefront, the divine hosts rallied, intent on destroying the Dānavas. Not to be outdone, the powerful ones, led by Kārtasvara, turned back and rejoined the fray. Yet even the formidable Nandiṣeṇa, Vyāghramukha, and the swift Vegavān were forced to withdraw from the onslaught. O Nārada, know that Kārtasvara, too, turned back, hefting his mighty mace. But as he roared and whirled his spear, he was struck on the head by a powerful blow. The hero then bound both the lord of the Gaṇas and Nandiṣeṇa together with his spear, subduing them. At that moment, Viśākha, the son of Kapi, approached, spear in hand, ready for battle. The mighty one engaged Viśākha, the bearer of the cock-banner, in fierce combat. Śākha and Naigameya, too, charged swiftly at the enemy, their determination unwavering. Together, Śākha and Naigameya advanced upon Śambara, as the lords of the Gaṇas looked on. Yet, as they reached him, Śambara vanished in an instant, as if the very earth had dissolved into the sky, leaving no trace behind. Then, O divine sage, the youthful hero turned his wrath in all directions, striking down the demon army without mercy. Amidst this devastation, a woman—her form dejected, her limbs trembling with terror—fled the battlefield in distress and sought shelter with Śukra, the wise preceptor. At the same time, Andhaka approached Śukra and spoke earnestly to him. He summoned the Gandharvas, Asuras, and Kinnaras to his side, seeking their aid. Andhaka lamented that just as a woman without a protector is harassed by evildoers, so too were the inexhaustible fiends, vulnerable like the ripe fruit of Kurukṣetra, subject to destruction. He urged Śukra to act as they did in battle, conquering their enemies. For Śukra’s benefit, Andhaka pledged to strive and do whatever would please him. Śukra, pure in his vows, then performed a sacred rite according to the prescribed ordinance. By his power, those Dānavas who had fallen in battle rose up again, restored to life. As the warriors renewed their assault, Nandī turned to Śaṅkara and spoke, troubled: “The revival of the dead is inconceivable and unbearable. Once more, Bhārgava’s knowledge has brought them back. Yet, O Lord, the power of Śukra’s knowledge has become slightly diminished.” With affection, the Lord replied, revealing the supreme means for his own purpose. “I will restrain him as is fitting, now that we have come together.” So resolved, the Lord approached the host of the Daityas, intent on seizing Śukra. Blocking his path as a lion bars the way of a beast in the forest, he prepared to fulfill his divine intent.