As the great and tumultuous battle raged on, the king’s minister fell upon the field, struck down amidst the chaos, and lost consciousness. Surrounded by his loyal followers and the entirety of his forces, he departed this world, journeying to the abode of Yama. The loss of this unconquerable minister stirred the king to action; Durjaya, fierce and splendid with his chariots and horses, pressed forward with his own army, engaging those adorned with radiant jewels in a valiant fight. But with the fall of the minister, a great slaughter befell the king’s forces. News of the battle and the deeds of his son-in-law reached the king through both cause and messenger. Witnessing his mighty-armed son-in-law waging war, the troops surged forward, inspired by his valor. Among these gathered forces, the Daityas—mighty demons—arrayed themselves for battle. Foremost among the Asuras stood Praghasa, Vighasa, Sanghasa, Ashaniprabha, Vidyutprabha, Sughosha, Unmattaksha, and Bhayankara. Alongside them were Agnidanta, Agnitejas, Bahushakra, Pratardana, Viradha, Bhimakarma, and Viprachitti. These fifteen chiefs, armed with supreme weapons, each commanded an entire Akshauhini, their armies assembled in separate, formidable divisions. Within Durjaya’s host, powerful magicians—mighty of soul—joined the fray, clashing with the jewel-adorned warriors, their vast military divisions colliding in a storm of arms. In the thick of battle, Suprabha struck Praghasa with five arrows, sharp and swift as venomous serpents. With three blazing shafts, he pierced Vighasa, while Surashmi unleashed ten arrows upon Sanghasa. Shubhadarshana struck Ashaniprabha with five keen arrows; Sukanti targeted Vidyutprabha, and Sundara struck Sughosha. Sunda, with five swift arrows, wounded Unmattaksha and severed his bow with a sharp, curved arrow. Sumanā struck Agnidanta, Suśubha struck Agnitejas, Suśīla struck Bahushakra, and Sumukha struck Pratardana. Shambhu engaged Viradha, Sukīrti fought Bhimakarma, and Viprachitti contended with Soma. Thus, a great and terrible battle unfolded. The Daityas and jewel-born warriors fought with skill and ferocity, but, in accordance with their numbers, the Daityas were again struck down by the jewel-born heroes. As the battle’s intensity grew ever fiercer, at that very moment, the sage Gauramukha began performing sacred rites, using samit sticks, kusa grass, and other offerings. Around them, a wondrous and terrifying battle raged, encircled by countless armies—a force nearly impossible to conquer. Observing this, the sage stood at the entrance, deep in contemplation. Seated in meditation, he discerned the root cause of the conflict: the jewel itself. Understanding that the jewel was the source of this fierce and relentless war, sage Gauramukha turned his mind to Lord Hari, the Lord of the gods, seeking divine intervention. In response, the Lord himself appeared before the sage, clad in radiant yellow garments and seated majestically upon Garuda. He spoke: “What would you have me do here?” With hands joined in reverence, the sage addressed the Supreme Person: “O Lord, destroy this unconquerable and wicked force, together with its army and followers.” Thus addressed, Lord Hari released the blazing Sudarshana discus—the wheel of time itself—hurling it against the mighty and invincible host. In a single moment, within the blink of an eye, the entire demonic army, formidable and hard to defeat, was reduced to ashes in many ways by the fiery discus. Having accomplished this, the Lord spoke to sage Gauramukha: “In an instant, this force of the Danavas has been destroyed.” He continued, “Henceforth, this forest shall be known as Naimisha-aranya, as it truly is, especially for the Brahmanas. And I, the Lord of Sacrifice, will dwell in this forest; here I shall always be worshipped by name. In the Krita age, these fifteen jewel-born kings will arise, O sage.” Having spoken thus, the Lord vanished from sight, and the twice-born sage remained in his hermitage, filled with supreme joy. Then, Śrī Varāha continued: When King Supratika heard that his son had been burned by the fire of the discus, his steadfast mind turned inward. Deep in thought, a resolve arose within him. He remembered that on Mount Citrakūṭa, Viṣṇu is always renowned as Rāma. Thus, he resolved, “I will praise the Lord of the universe by the name Rāma.” With devotion, Supratika began his hymn: “I bow to Rāma, Lord of men, the infallible one, ancient sage, destroyer of the gods’ enemies, embodiment of Śiva, the source, the great Lord, forever remover of distress for those who seek refuge, adorned with splendor. “O Lord, you are the very essence of all radiance; you create all brilliance, taking every form. On earth, you are fivefold; in water, fourfold; in fire, threefold; in wind, twofold; and in space, you are established as the form of sound, O Hari, Supreme Person. “You are the moon, the sun, and the fire; in you, the entire world dissolves, and in you, the world delights, being established in your being. Therefore, you are praised as Rāma, the foundation of the universe. “In the ocean of worldly existence, filled with the terrible waves of suffering and the dreadful crocodile of impatience, a man does not sink who possesses the raft of your remembrance; thus, you are remembered as Rāma, even in the forest of austerities. “When the Vedas were lost, you, O Hari, assumed the form of a fish; at the end of the age, when all directions are reddened, you become fire, assuming many forms. “In every age, O Mādhava, you have always assumed the form of the Tortoise during the churning of the ocean; truly, there is no one equal to you anywhere, O Janārdana, supreme among beings. “By you, O great soul, this entire universe is pervaded; you know all directions completely. How could I abandon you, the original and supreme abode, and seek any other refuge? “You alone existed at first; from you arose earth, water, fire in its highest form, wind, space, mind, intellect, and the qualities of consciousness—all these have their origin in you. “By you this whole universe is pervaded; you are eternal, regarded by me as the Supreme Person. O Lord of all the worlds, whose form is the universe, thousand-armed one, victory to you, O god of gods! Homage to Rāma, of great glory.” Thus praised, the best of gods was pleased and revealed his divine form to King Supratika. The Lord spoke kindly, “Choose a boon, O Supratika.” Hearing these words, the king, full of reverence, bowed to the god of gods and said, “O Lord, grant me union with your supreme form at the time of dissolution.” Thus, the Lord’s compassion and the king’s devotion shone forth, sanctifying the forest and the hearts of all who heard this tale.