In an ancient age, there existed a long, unbroken era known as the age of tenfold mixture, during which the world remained tranquil and undisturbed. In those times, both the gods and the asuras lived in obedience to the established order, accepting the commands given to them. However, this harmony did not endure forever. A mighty and dreadful conflict eventually arose, bringing devastation to both gods and asuras. Driven by the desire to secure their inheritance, many fierce battles were fought between these two mighty races. In this epoch, called the Boar epoch, twelve great battles are remembered, known as the six northern battles of the Sun. Hear now, briefly, the names of these renowned battles. The first was the battle of Narasimha, the second of Vamana. The third was the battle of Varaha, and the fourth, the Churning of the Nectar. The fifth, indeed, was the terrible Taraka war. The sixth was the Adibaka battle; the seventh, the destruction of Tripura; the eighth, the battle of Andhakara; the ninth, the battle of Dhvaja. The tenth was known as Vartta, the eleventh as Hala, and the twelfth, the dreadful Kolahala. In these battles, many mighty asuras met their end at the hands of the gods and incarnations of the Supreme. Narasimha slew the demon Hiranyakashipu, while Vamana subdued the powerful Bali, who had sought to conquer the three worlds. Hiranyaksha, formidable in strength and valor, undefeated in battle, was killed in single combat by the gods. When the earth had been submerged in the cosmic ocean, it was raised up by the tusks of the Boar incarnation. During the churning of the nectar, Prahlada was defeated in battle by Indra. Virochana, the son of Prahlada, who was ever intent on slaying Indra, was himself slain by Indra in the Taraka war. Sanjaba, who had gained invulnerability and special weapons, was slain in the sixth battle by Vishnu, who had entered into Shakra (Indra). When the triple city could not be defended by any of the gods, all the Danavas were destroyed by Tryambaka (Shiva) in the burning of Tripura. In the eighth battle, the Asuras and Rakshasas—bringers of darkness—gathered with the Pitris, who had conquered both gods and men, but the assembled Danavas were destroyed entirely by Mahendra (Indra), aided by Vishnu. In the battle of Dhvaja, Mahendra slew Dhvaja, who fought while concealed by illusion. The mighty-armed Vipravartin, who entered the mark on the banner, was also overthrown. Raji, surrounded by the gods, conquered all the Daityas and Danavas assembled in the Kolahala battle, and Shandamarka was vanquished by the gods with the nectar of sacrifice. These were the twelve great Daiva-Asura battles that brought immense destruction to both gods and demons, bringing misfortune to all living beings. After these wars, King Hiranyakashipu ruled for a hundred million years, then for another seven million two hundred thousand years, and for eighty thousand years more he was lord of the three worlds. After him, Bali became king for another hundred million years, and then for sixty thousand and three hundred thousand more years. As long as Bali held the right to rule, Prahlada maintained control, and during that time, the Asuras possessed the kingdom. These three renowned Indras of the Asuras—Hiranyakashipu, Bali, and Prahlada—each of great might, ruled over all the Daityas for ten yugas, and everything was under their dominion. For another ten yugas, the entire realm was without rival. But in time, the undiminishing three worlds came under the protection of mighty Indra. As the cycles of time turned, the three worlds eventually passed from Prahlada, and when the appointed time arrived, Pakaśāsana, that is, Indra, again became ruler of the three worlds. At that point, the gods, abandoning the Asuras, approached the sacrificial rites. Seeing this, the Asuras spoke to their wise leader, Kāvya: "Our kingdom has been taken from us before our very eyes; the gods, having abandoned the sacrifice, have returned again. Today we are unable to stand against them—let us descend into the netherworld." Hearing their words, Kāvya, though distressed, sought to comfort them: "Do not fear, Asuras; I will sustain you with my own power. The rain, the plants, the waters, and all wealth—these exist within me. The share the gods receive is granted only through me. For your sake, I will provide all these; I will sustain everything." But when the gods saw the Asuras being supported by the wise Kāvya, they grew anxious and eager for victory, and thus conferred among themselves: "This Kāvya is taking everything from us by force. Let us act quickly; when their food is exhausted, we will revive them. Then, having slain the remaining Asuras by force, we will send them to the underworld." Enraged, the gods attacked the Dānavas, and as the Dānavas were struck down, they fled to Kāvya for protection. Seeing the Dānavas wounded and pursued, Kāvya rescued the sons of Diti from the gods. Standing before the gods, Kāvya reflected and, recalling past events, addressed them after meditating: "The three worlds were conquered by Vāmana in three strides; Bali was bound, Jambha was slain, and Virocana was killed. In twelve great battles, the foremost Asuras were slain by the gods, mostly through various strategies. You, who remain, are but a few survivors of the last battles. I will devise a strategy for you; wait for some time." "I will go to Mahādeva to obtain mantras, so that you may be victorious. Agni, the Hotṛ, will be invigorated by mantras from Bṛhaspati. Then I will go to the god Nīlalohita for further mantras; after returning here, I will show you favor once again. In the meantime, all of you should practice austerities, withdrawn in the forest, clad in bark garments. The gods will not attack you until I return." "Then, having obtained unfailing mantras from the great lord Maheshvara, we shall again confront the gods in battle; and after that, you will surely attain victory." Thus, the cycles of conflict and counsel continued, shaping the destinies of gods and asuras, under the watchful gaze of the eternal law.