He spoke with assurance, saying, “Do not be afraid; while I am here, who is this vile enemy of the gods?” His words filled the air with confidence. Then, with a roar as mighty as a thundercloud in the rainy season, he announced his presence on the battlefield. The chiefs of the Daityas and Dānavas, thrilled at his power, shouted their approval. Yet, the force of his roar was so overwhelming that Yama himself found it unbearable and vanished from sight. The mighty one then began to tear through the army of the gods on every side. With his mace, he struck down his foes, and Virocana came forth to challenge him. He attacked the lord of waters, hurling clubs and even stones with great force. Rushing forward, he bound the maddened elephant with his nooses. Drawing near to Varuṇa, Nārada seized him amidst the chaos. He trampled the lords of the waters and their mounts beneath his feet, showing no mercy. As he pressed on, he unleashed arrows that tore through bodies, his approach swift and relentless. Again and again, the wicked one trampled the lord of the waters underfoot. With powerful hands, he tossed his foes into the air, touching the ground with his feet and their heads with his hands. He uprooted Virocana, along with his elephant, its driver, and the entire mount, hurling them high into the sky. Amidst this, the city, with its battlements, gates, and palace grounds, shone brilliantly, radiant like the sun with its beautiful rays. Then, a supreme cry erupted from the Daityas, resounding like the thunder of storm clouds. A call went out: “Prahlada, you and the others—Jambha, Kujambha, and the rest—protect yourselves, joining with Andhaka!” For he binds with a noose and strikes down with a mace, just as Mahendra slays the sacrificial beast at the horse-sacrifice. The Daityas rushed swiftly at the Lord of Waters, like moths drawn to a blazing sacrificial fire. But the Lord of Waters, brandishing his mace, drove away the enemies led by Jambha. With a forceful kick, he struck down Vritra and Kujambha, and with his fist, he felled Bala. Then Andhaka, eager for battle, advanced toward the Lord of Waters. He cast a noose and, seizing his mace, hurled it at his foe. With great speed, he plunged into the depths of the ocean, and Andhaka crushed the army of the gods. At that moment, Maya, the mighty Dānava craftsman, approached. Śambara, wielding his spear, struck Maya at the throat and seized him by force. Both Maya and Śambara blazed with fiery energy, the spear flaring at Maya’s throat. Like a maddened elephant attacked by a lion in the forest, their pain and rage echoed. Cries rang out: “Ah! What is this? By whom in battle have Maya and the Dānava Śambara been defeated?” Another voice warned, “Protect yourself! No one else can withstand the fire god at the forefront of battle.” Raising his iron club with all his might, Andhaka charged at the fire god, shouting, “Stop! Stop!” He tore the club from the earth and smashed it down, then moved toward Agni, the fire god. Struck, Agni released Śambara and swiftly rushed at Andhaka. But struck by the lord of the Daityas, Agni fled in fear from the field of battle. The valiant Andhaka struck down with his arrows all those who turned their backs on the fight. Honored by the foremost among the Daityas, Andhaka then approached the earth. Together with the Apsarases, they journeyed to the netherworld to serve, and there they dwelled. In the midst of these events, a question arose: When the sun was cast down to the earth, at that time, where and in what places did it happen? And for what reason was the sun cast down from the sky by Bhāskara? As Svayambhū himself has spoken, O sinless one, I shall recount it as I have heard.