To the assembled gods, troubled by the growing menace of Shambara and his formidable armies, there appeared Brahma himself. His countenance shone with a radiant red glow, reminiscent of the moon rising over an ocean tinged crimson in the evening—majestic and awe-inspiring. With deep reverence, the gods bowed to Brahma and earnestly related all that had transpired, recounting in detail the words spoken by Shambara and describing the relentless march of the Dama, Vyala, and Kata armies. They laid before him the entire sequence of events, seeking his guidance. Brahma listened attentively, reflecting with the wisdom of one deeply skilled in discernment. Then, with gentle reassurance, he addressed the assembly of gods: “At the end of a thousand years, Hari will, in due course, slay Shambara. Until that destined time arrives, O lord of immortals, you must wait patiently. But today, O best among immortals, you should fight valiantly against the forces of Dama, Vyala, and Kata. Afterward, withdraw from battle with those demons who wield the power of illusion. “These warriors, through constant practice of battle, have become proud—their arrogance arising from their own sense of ego, much like a reflection in a mirror. Yet, when these Dama, Vyala, and Kata warriors develop binding tendencies, you will easily overcome them, as birds are caught in a net. But today, they remain free from such tendencies, untouched by pleasure or pain. In striking down your foes with courage, you gods have attained invincibility. “Know that those who are ensnared by the threads of latent tendencies and subdued by desire become controlled in this world, like birds tied with a rope. But the wise—those whose minds are unattached and free from such tendencies—neither rejoice nor grow angry; such great intellects are truly difficult to conquer. “One whose inner self is knotted by the cords of these tendencies, even if he is great and learned, can be defeated by the smallest child. He who constantly thinks, ‘I am this, this is mine, that is that,’ becomes a vessel for calamities, much as the ocean receives all waters. And the one who limits himself, seeing himself as insignificant, even if he knows all things, falls everywhere into the deepest wretchedness. “Whenever limitation is imagined for the infinite, immeasurable Self, the Self becomes subdued by its own nature. Whatever exists in the three worlds, apart from the Self, when considered as something to be acquired, becomes the cause of bondage. The wise know that mere attachment is the root of countless sorrows, and that detachment alone is the cause of happiness. “As long as there is disregard for the state of inner being, the bonds of desire cannot be overcome, just as the wind cannot conquer mosquitoes. A creature subdued by inner tendencies and led by weakness is easily conquered; otherwise, even a mosquito would be as immovable as the mountain of the gods. “Wherever there is tendency, there arises weakness; qualities and faults are seen only in the existent, never in the non-existent. Within, one clings to these tendencies, thinking, ‘I am this, this is mine.’ Just as these bonds shape the mind, O Indra, so act accordingly. “Whatever calamities or states of being or non-being befall a person, they are but the bitter and sweet blossoms of the vine of craving. This world, bound by the threads of tendencies, turns ceaselessly; when these are strengthened, suffering grows intense, but when they are destroyed, happiness is found. Even the wise, the learned, the noble-born, or the great are bound by craving, just as a lion is restrained by a chain. “For one dwelling in the tree of the body and resting in the heart, the net of craving is cast for the mind, which moves like the wind. The world, afflicted by its own tendencies, is dragged along by fate, just as a bird, helpless, breathes constantly while bound by a rope held by a child. “Enough now of the burden of weapons and the confusion of battle. With discernment alone should you address the true enemy—these tendencies and their distortions. When your inner steadiness is disturbed, not even the leaders among your enemies, nor weapons, nor scriptures, nor missiles, can overcome you. “These tendencies are like ropes and snake-whips; through the force of repeated battle, they seize within you the tendency born of ego. If those mechanical beings created by Shambara do not take hold of such tendencies, they too will become invincible. “Therefore, awaken those immortals through the battle of discernment, so that, by repeated practice, their tendencies may arise. When their thoughts are bound, they become fit for destruction; but none are weak in this world who are woven with the expectation of thirst. “This world, both equal and unequal, has attained stability entirely through its own tendencies, moving like a mass of waves in the ocean. Therefore, here, that very tendency must be treated and brought to an end.” Having heard Brahma’s profound words, the gods departed, each to their own direction, carrying with them the fragrance of lotuses, like breezes bearing garlands from the forest. For several days, they rested in their own splendid and radiant abodes, like bees nestled within steadfast lotuses. After some time, having attained auspiciousness that brings about the rise of the Self, the gods sounded their drums, their thunderous roar echoing like storm clouds at the dissolution of the world. Then, once again, a dreadful and protracted battle unfolded in the sky, as the gods faced the demons who had arisen from the netherworld. Torrents of swords, arrows, spears, maces, clubs, axes, sharp discs, thunderbolts, mountains, rocks, blazing trees, and weapons in the forms of serpents and Garuḍa surged and clashed in the heavens. A mighty river, conjured by illusion, swept swiftly in all directions, its tumult composed of stones, mountains, and trees from the earth’s edge, its waves resounding like a mass of thunderclouds. Within its central current blazed torches, spears, rocks, lances, swords, arrows, javelins, and maces. Celestial mansions, surrounded by waters like the Ganges, were drawn down by showers of missiles from every side. This river, formed from earth and other elements, fierce in its blows and in seizing gifts, appeared in the sky as a body of rays. When the armies of gods, demons, and siddhas were pacified, the river would subside; yet, created by illusion, it would rise again from its own essence, ready to renew the battle once more.