In the celestial realms, there existed a maiden of incomparable beauty and virtue, devoted to ascetic vows. She was so extraordinary that, as Narada himself recounted, she was unseen among gods, demons, or yakshas—her like had not been found anywhere in the vast expanse of the cosmic egg. Narada, the great sage, confessed to Mahisha, the Daitya, that in all his wanderings, he had never encountered such a wondrous being. Her radiance drew worship from all: gods, gandharvas, sages, siddhas, charanas, and even the leaders of the daityas themselves. She was revered as a wish-bestowing goddess. Having glimpsed this auspicious maiden, Narada hastened to Mahisha, declaring that none could win her without first conquering the gods and gandharvas. After imparting this revelation, Narada paused briefly and then departed, vanishing from sight as swiftly as he had appeared. When Narada left, Mahisha, the mighty Daitya, was left in awe, his mind captivated by thoughts of this divine maiden. Consumed by longing, he found no peace, and so he summoned his minister Alamsharma. Alongside Alamsharma, Mahisha called together eight other ministers, each valiant, wise, and learned: Praghasa, Vighasa, Shankukarna, Vibhavasu, Vidyunmali, Sumali, Parjanya, and a fierce one among them. These chief ministers gathered before Mahisha, who was seated in council, and urged him to act as needed. Taking Narada’s counsel to heart, Mahisha addressed his ministers, explaining that the maiden described by Narada could not be won without first conquering the chief of the gods. He asked them to consider how she might be obtained and how the gods could be defeated, urging them to advise him swiftly. The ministers conferred and assured Mahisha that they would provide guidance. Praghasa spoke first, revealing that the maiden Narada had described was none other than the supreme goddess, Vaishnavi, the sustainer of the worlds. Praghasa warned that a king who sought to seize the wife of a teacher, another king, or vassals would perish, as would one who pursued the unattainable. Vighasa, another minister, affirmed Praghasa’s words, declaring that while unity and resolve were important, a maiden should never be seized by force. Instead, he proposed that the ministers should go and request the auspicious goddess, first through conciliation, then gifts, followed by division, and finally punishment if necessary. If all these methods failed, only then should force be used. The remaining ministers praised Vighasa’s wise counsel and urged that a messenger be dispatched quickly. They decided that someone skilled in the policies of scripture, pure, and valiant should ascertain her qualities and form. By understanding her through prowess, courage, heroism, strength, kinship, resources, and means, they could then proceed with their plan. Vighasa’s words were celebrated by the radiant ministers, who commended him as the foremost among them. They chose Vidyutprabha, a greatly fortunate and auspicious messenger skilled in magic, to undertake the mission. After dispatching Vidyutprabha, Vighasa advised that the lords of the Danavas should arm themselves with the fourfold forces—elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry—to achieve victory over the gods. He assured Mahisha that once the gods were defeated and their valor subdued, the maiden would come under his control. When all the guardians of the worlds—the Maruts, Nagas, Vidyadharas, Siddhas, Gandharvas, Rudras, Vasus, and Adityas—were conquered, Mahisha would become Indra himself. A hundred maidens of Indra, along with divine and Gandharva women, would also come under his sway, and the auspicious maiden would certainly be his. Mahisha then addressed his general, Virupaksha, whose appearance was as dark as a great cloud with a blue-black radiance. He commanded Virupaksha to swiftly bring forth the army of elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, with which he intended to conquer the gods and Gandharvas, formidable opponents in battle. Virupaksha responded promptly, assembling a vast and unconquered army. Each Danava was equal in battle to a bearer of the thunderbolt, each eager to challenge a god with his own strength. Among them were ninety million warriors, each with a formidable force amassed. Countless thousands of great-souled daityas formed the battle array, undistracted and eager for combat, intent on destroying the army of the gods. The Daityas, riding in wondrous chariots adorned with many banners and wielding fearsome weapons, took on terrifying forms. They danced with raised, dreadful arms, filled with the desire to conquer the gods. Then, Mahisha himself, master of many forms and immense strength, mounted a maddened elephant, intent on ascending Mount Meru. He reached the city of Indra, and with his companions, charged at Śatakratu and the gods. The gods, filled with wrath, responded in kind, taking up their weapons and mounts. Delighted, they mounted their vehicles and rushed into battle against the Asuras, prepared to defend their realms.