Sūta began to recount how Kāvyā, knowing the truth of events and moved by compassion, addressed the Daityas with words meant to soothe and restrain their anger. He assured them, “Do not be afraid, nor need you descend to the netherworld; this outcome was inevitable and has come to pass even as I stand with you.” He explained that what is seen—fate itself—is more powerful than any will, and though recognition was lost today, it would surely be regained. Kāvyā reminded them that the appointed time, as declared by Brahmā, had arrived. By Kāvyā’s favor, they had enjoyed the strength and glory of the three worlds for a full cycle of ten yugas, surpassing even the gods at their peak. Brahmā had set this as the duration of their reign. Yet, in the era of Sāvarṇi, their kingship would return: Bali, Kāvyā’s grandson, would once again become lord of the worlds. Kāvyā recounted Brahmā’s own words about Bali. When the worlds were taken from him, Bali’s austerity ceased, but because his actions were not driven by desire, the Unborn One, pleased with him, granted the Sāvarṇi interval. The Lord told Kāvyā that Bali would become king of the gods; thus, Bali now remained invisible to beings, awaiting the destined time. Immortality, granted by the Self-born, was bestowed upon Kāvyā himself. He urged the Daityas not to lose heart, but to endure the cycle with composure. Kāvyā confessed that he could not act before them, having been forbidden by Brahmā, the knower of the future. He pointed to his two disciples, Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka, who were equal in wisdom to Bṛhaspati, and said that together with the gods, they would restrain all, even in anger. Thus addressed by Kāvyā, whose actions were pure, the Daityas, led by Prahlāda, went forth with Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka. Hearing from Śukra that the outcome was inevitable, the Dānavas, still hoping for victory, accepted Kāvyā’s words. Armed and ready, they challenged the gods, and as both sides assembled for battle, the gods donned their armor. A fierce conflict between gods and asuras ensued, lasting a hundred years. In the end, the asuras defeated the gods, and the defeated gods gathered to consult among themselves. They wondered about the power of Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka among the gods, and resolved that for their own welfare, they must perform a sacrifice to deprive the two of their knowledge, thereby defeating the asuras. The gods summoned Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka, planning to invite them to the sacrifice, hoping they would abandon the asuras, or to seize them after conquering the Dānavas. Thus, Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka left the asuras, the gods attained victory, and the Dānavas were defeated. After the gods and demons were defeated, the Six and the Sun approached, but, overcome by Kāvyā’s curse, they became unsupported once again. As they were being slain by the gods, they entered the netherworld. From that time onward, those demons, rendered powerless by Śakra and by the curse and agency of Bhṛgu, remained so. Whenever sacrifice declined, Viṣṇu was born again and again, the Lord, to establish righteousness and destroy unrighteousness. Those demons who did not follow Prahlāda’s command were declared by Brahmā to be fit for destruction by humans. From Dharma, Nārāyaṇa was born in the interval of Cākṣuṣa; he set the sacrifice in motion in the interval of Vaivasvata, at the altar. At the manifestation of another, Brahmā himself acted as priest, especially in the fourth age, when the demons had arisen. He was born within the ocean at the slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu; the second incarnation, Narasiṃha, became Rudra, foremost among the gods. When Bali was established in the worlds, in the seventh age of the Tretā, as the demons conquered the three worlds, the third incarnation, Vāmana, appeared. Compressing his form into limbs, with Bṛhaspati at the forefront, the delight of the Aditya lineage, having become a Brāhmaṇa at an auspicious time, Vāmana approached Bali, the son of Virocana. “You are the king of the three worlds; in you, everything is established. Grant me, O king, three steps of land,” requested the Lord. King Bali, recognizing Vāmana, consented to his request. Then Vāmana, with three steps, occupied heaven, space, and earth—traversing the entire world. The embodied Lord surpassed the sun with his own brilliance, illuminating all directions and regions. That mighty-armed one shone forth, illuminating all the worlds. Janārdana, having taken the wealth of the demons and the three worlds, led the demons, along with their sons and grandsons, to the nethermost realm. Namuci, Śambara, and Prahlāda were struck down by Viṣṇu; the cruel ones were destroyed and dispersed, fleeing to the directions. Mādhava, the soul of all beings, revealed to the sages the great elements, the particular beings, and time in its entirety, as a marvel. On his body, he perceives the entire universe as himself; nothing in the worlds is untouched by the great soul. That form of Upendra, seen by gods, demons, and men, caused all to be bewildered, overcome by the radiance of Viṣṇu. Bali, bound with mighty chains, together with his kin, friends, and the entire lineage of Virocana, was confined in the netherworld. Finally, having bestowed all sovereignty of the immortals upon Indra, the great-souled Janārdana, mighty-armed, appeared among men.