King Durjaya was consumed with desire for the wish-fulfilling gem in the possession of the sage Gauramukha. Again and again, he pondered how he might obtain this marvelous jewel. After much deliberation, the king devised a plan. Resolving, “I will take this wish-fulfilling gem from him,” Durjaya set out with his retinue, approaching the hermitage but stopping a short distance away. He decided to send his minister, Virocana, to approach the sage and request the gem. Virocana came before Gauramukha, preparing to ask, “O king, vessel of jewels, let the gem be given to him.” But hearing this plea, the sage became angry and rebuked him, saying, “The Brahmin receives, the king gives, and you, having become king again, now beg so pitifully? Go and tell the wicked king Durjaya yourself: ‘Depart at once, O evildoer, lest the world abandon you.’” Having spoken thus, the sage went eastward to gather sacred grass and firewood, all the while contemplating the power of the gem, the destroyer of enemies. The minister, thus rebuffed, returned to Durjaya and reported every word that the Brahmin had spoken. Upon hearing this, King Durjaya was filled with rage. He turned to his vassal Nila and commanded, “Go immediately, seize the Brahmin’s gem, and return quickly, by any means.” Obeying the king’s order, Nila set out with a great army and entered the sage’s forest hermitage. There, he saw the gem placed in the fire-sacrifice hall. Nila descended from his chariot, intent on seizing the treasure. But as soon as the fierce Nila set foot on the ground, warriors of terrifying aspect, weapons in hand, emerged from the gem itself. They burst forth in great numbers, equipped with chariots, banners, horses, arrows, swords, shields, bows, and quivers—countless mighty warriors, unconquerable in battle, all breaking forth from the radiant gem. Among them stood fifteen great and valiant leaders: Suprabha, Diptatejas, Surashmi, Shubhadarshana, Sukanti, Sundara, Sunda, Pradyumna, Sumana, Shubha, Sushila, Sukhada, Shambhu, Sudanta, and Soma. These were the foremost warriors born of the gem. Seeing Virocana surrounded by a great army, these eager warriors, armed with various weapons, charged into battle. Their bows shone with golden brilliance, their arrows tipped with fine jambunada gold; dreadful swords fell, as did mighty maces and spears. Chariot confronted chariot, elephant faced elephant, horse opposed horse, and foot-soldier battled foot-soldier, each striving for victory. Many duels raged across the field as heroes challenged each other. The combat grew terrifying, with arrows flying and weapons wielded fiercely. Amidst the tumult, the king’s minister was slain, losing consciousness and, along with his followers and all his forces, departed for the abode of Yama, lord of death. With the death of his unconquerable minister, Durjaya himself advanced with his army. Fierce and resplendent with horses and chariots, Durjaya engaged in battle with the jewel-born warriors. A great slaughter befell the king’s army. Amidst the chaos, news spread of the king’s son-in-law fighting valiantly on the battlefield, and the troops rallied to his side. Among these forces stood the Daityas, arrayed for battle. Fifteen foremost Asuras, armed with supreme weapons and each accompanied by an Akshauhini division, entered the fray: Praghasa, Vighasa, Sanghasa, Ashaniprabha, Vidyutprabha, Sughosha, Unmattaksha, Bhayankara, Agnidanta, Agnitejas, Bahushakra, Pratardana, Viradha, Bhimakarma, and Viprachitti. These great magicians fought alongside Durjaya’s army against the jewel-born warriors. The battle was fierce and wondrous. Suprabha struck Praghasa with five serpent-like arrows; with three blazing arrows he pierced Vighasa. Surashmi struck Sanghasa with ten arrows. Shubhadarshana wounded Ashaniprabha with five arrows; Sukanti struck Vidyutprabha, Sundara struck Sughosha. Sunda shot five swift arrows at Unmattaksha and cut his bow with a sharp, curved arrow. Sumana struck Agnidanta; Shubha struck Agnitejas. Sushila fought with Bahushakra, and Sumukha with Pratardana. Shambhu battled Viradha, Sukirti fought Bhimakarma, and Soma faced Viprachitti. Thus, a great battle raged. Weapon clashed against weapon, and though the Daityas fought valiantly, in accordance with their numbers, they were again slain by the warriors born of the gem. As the battle intensified, the sage Gauramukha performed sacred rites with samit sticks, kusa grass, and other offerings. The battlefield was terrifying to behold, surrounded by many armies and nearly impossible to conquer. Witnessing this, the sage stood at the entrance, lost in deep thought. After sitting down, he discerned the cause of the conflict—the power of the jewel itself. Having realized this, Gauramukha began to contemplate Lord Hari, the Lord of the gods. At that very moment, the divine Lord, clad in yellow garments and seated upon Garuda, appeared before the sage and spoke, “What would you have me do here?