Parāśara continued: When Satyabhāmā had spoken, Hari smiled gently at her, then carefully placed the Parijata tree upon mighty Garuda. At this, the guardians of the celestial garden stepped forward and addressed Govinda, saying, “O Lord, this Parijata tree is the cherished treasure of Saci, queen of Indra, king of the gods; it is not right for you to take it. It arose for the king of the gods, who, out of fascination, gave it to his most fortunate queen, the goddess Saci. Created by the gods during the churning of the ocean of nectar for Saci’s adornment, this tree does not bring well-being to those who take it by force; you will not prosper by carrying it away. Indra always gazes upon her face and acquired this tree for her sake. Who, seeking their own good, would dare take it and depart? “Certainly, O Krishna, Indra will seek redress for this, and the Maruts will follow him, his thunderbolt raised in hand. Therefore, O Achyuta, let there be no conflict with all the gods; wise men do not praise actions that bring bitterness in the end.” Hearing these words, Satyabhāmā’s anger flared. She declared, “Who is Saci to the Parijata, or who is Shakra, lord of the gods? If this tree arose from the churning of the nectar for the benefit of all worlds, why should Vasava alone possess it? Just as the nectar, the moon, and Sri are for all beings, so too is the Parijata tree for all. Because of her husband’s pride, Saci restrains him; but enough of patience—let us take the tree by strength! “Go swiftly and deliver my words to Paulomī: ‘Satyabhāmā speaks these words, bold and unyielding. If you are truly your husband’s beloved, if he is under your sway, then prevent my husband from taking the tree. I know your husband is Shakra, lord of the gods; yet, though you are divine, I, a mortal woman, will take the Parijata tree from you.’” Thus instructed, the guards hurried to Saci and relayed Satyabhāmā’s message. Hearing this, Saci roused Indra, the lord of the gods, who took up his discus and prepared for battle. Surrounded by the armies of all the gods, Indra advanced, O best of the twice-born, intent on confronting Hari for the Parijata tree. The gods assembled, armed with iron clubs, swords, maces, spears, and splendid weapons, standing ready with Shakra, wielder of the thunderbolt. Govinda, seeing Indra and the host of gods arrayed for battle, stood upon Garuda, the king of serpents, and surveyed his foes. Then he sounded his conch, its mighty blast filling all the quarters, and released a torrent of sharp arrows by the thousands and tens of thousands. The sky and all directions were soon filled with hundreds of arrows, and the gods responded with a storm of their own weapons and missiles. Yet every weapon and missile launched by the gods, in their thousands, was effortlessly cut down by the Lord, slayer of Madhu, as if in sport. He seized the noose of Varuna, lord of waters, and cast it aside; Garuda, with his beak, broke it into pieces as if it were a young serpent. The rod sent by Yama was shattered by Krishna’s mace and cast down to the earth. Mighty Śauri, with his discus, reduced the palanquin of Kubera, lord of wealth, to atoms, and struck the sun, diminishing its brilliance. Agni was cooled by arrows, the Vasus fled in all directions, and the Rudras, their spear-tips sliced by the discus, were thrown down to earth. The Sādhyas, Viśvas, Maruts, Gandharvas, and Yakṣas were driven away in the sky like silk-cotton scattered by the arrows of the wielder of Śārṅga. Garuda, with his beak, wings, and talons, struck, tore, and devoured the gods as he moved about the battlefield. Then, Madhusūdana and the lord of the gods showered each other with blows by the hundreds of thousands, like clouds pouring down rain. In that tumultuous battle, Garuda fought with Airavata, Indra’s elephant, while Janardana engaged Indra and all the other gods. As the arrows, weapons, and missiles of both sides were exhausted, Indra seized his thunderbolt, while Krishna took up the Sudarshana discus. At this sight, O best of the twice-born, the three worlds cried out in alarm, beholding both Indra and Janardana armed with thunderbolt and discus. Indra hurled his thunderbolt, but the blessed Hari caught it in his hand; yet he did not release his discus, and told Shakra to stand still. Seeing Indra, deprived of his thunderbolt and riding a wounded Garuda, Satyabhāmā spoke to the lord of the gods, who seemed intent on fleeing. She said, “Lord of the three worlds, husband of Saci, it is not fitting for you to flee. Saci herself will come to you adorned with the Parijata garland. What sort of sovereignty is yours, if you, unable to see Saci as before, must now witness her approach adorned with the radiant Parijata garland? “Enough, Shakra, of this struggle; do not be ashamed. Let the Parijata be taken, and let the gods be free from distress. Because of pride and arrogance, and excessive self-regard, Saci did not even look at me when I entered her house, nor did she offer me any courtesy. Being a woman, my mind was unsteady, and I was intent on praising my own husband; therefore, Shakra, I engaged in conflict with you together with him. Enough now of this Parijata, which has been claimed by another. Saci is proud of her beauty, but what woman is not proud of her own husband?” Hearing her words, the king of the gods turned back and said to Satyabhāmā, “Enough, O fierce one, with these words of reproach for your friend.