With a thunderous surge, the divine armies pressed forward, their own feet pounding the earth as they rushed into battle. The dust they raised was so thick, O Nārada, that the entire world took on a tawny hue, veiled in the haze of conflict. In the chaos, confusion reigned—some warriors, perhaps blinded by the dust and frenzy, turned their weapons upon their own comrades, while others struck at the enemy with relentless force. Amidst this tumult, elephants charged furiously at rival lords of their kind, and horsemen sought out other horsemen, each vying for supremacy. The air was thick with the desire for victory, and so they clashed, locked in fierce, mutual combat. From the heart of the battlefield, a dreadful river seemed to arise, its waters quelling the swirling dust. This river was no ordinary stream—it was impassable, with the severed heads of elephants bobbing like turtles, and arrows darting through its waters like fish. Entrails floated upon its current like seaweed, while froth torn from banners garlanded its surface. The river teemed with wild creatures—forest birds, herons, jackals, and untamed beasts drawn to the carnage. Heroes, undaunted, used chariots as rafts to cross this grisly river, plunging bravely into its depths. Driven by the lure of victory, warriors emerged swiftly from its far side, eager to rejoin the fray. In this fearsome place, demons, yakṣas, and the delighted hosts of piśācas reveled, plundering the flesh of the fallen, leaping and roaring, while even the birds mimicked their wild cries. Elsewhere, those scorched by weapons fell to the earth, and the battlefield became like a cremation ground—silent and grim. Life itself was the stake in this contest, and the battle shone with the courage of pairs of warriors, lean from hardship and skilled both in weaponry and the arts of chance. Amidst the chaos, the lord of the gods, Śatakratu—Indra himself—appeared, his brilliance fierce as he rode forth on a maddened elephant. Across the field, Prahlāda, the valiant Daitya, stood ready upon a chariot drawn by eight spirited horses, his weapons raised in defiance. Soon, Śambara approached the wind-god Vāyu, while Maya challenged Agni, O best of sages. The gods—Agni, Sūrya, Vāyu, and the planetary lords—each met their formidable adversaries in single combat. Arrows of iron flew in thousands, as warriors shouted, “Go! Stop! Why do you stand?” The tumult set in motion a terrifying river, its force likened to the celestial Mandakini, and its waters ran red with blood, swelling the strength of the demon and spirit hosts. For those who sought escape, this river was dreadful to cross. Yet, for those heroes slain in battle, the foremost Apsarases appeared, leading them away from the field of death. Now, the thousand-eyed Indra seized his mighty bow and loosed a storm of arrows. He hurled shafts at Purandara, the one adorned with peacock feathers, and both struck each other with swift, gold-tipped arrows. Indra turned his aim to the king of the Daityas, and Andhaka beheld his approach. With the fury of fire consuming mountains, Indra reduced his enemies to ashes. Leaping from his chariot, Indra stood firm upon the ground, his arms strong and supported by his allies. Having wrought devastation, he advanced toward Andhaka, thunderbolt in hand. Mighty Andhaka, undaunted, struck down his foes and roared, raining blows upon the gods, driving them back as he pressed toward Śatakratu. With a powerful assault, Andhaka shattered the lord of elephants. Seizing the thunderbolt, he entered Amaravati, the city of the gods. Indra, undeterred, struck down his enemies with his foot, his fists, and other blows. The best of the gods surged toward Prahlāda, intent on slaying him. Prahlāda, swift son of Hiranyakashipu, stood with his bow bent, ready for the challenge. In the heat of battle, he shattered his foe’s weapon and hurled a staff, terrifying to all the worlds. He blazed with the fury of the fire of destruction, as if he would consume the three worlds themselves. Seeing this, the hosts cried out in distress, “Alas, Prahlāda has been struck down by Yama!