Balakhani, a mighty leader, stood at the head of a formidable force one hundred thousand strong. With astonishing speed, he and his army covered in a single day and night what would normally take a month’s journey along the road. Upon arrival, Balakhani carefully arranged his troops for battle: a single chariot stood at the forefront, and behind it, the elephants were arrayed in disciplined ranks. Following them, in proper order, stood ten companies of infantry. The army’s formation was impressive—one chariot, all the elephants, and a hundred and fifty horses. The foot soldiers alone numbered fifty thousand, and the elephants, ten thousand in all, advanced separately, each intoxicated with rut and eager for the fray. Opposing Balakhani were the mlecchas, followers of the Pisacha way, loyal to King Abhinandana. Their force was formidable as well: one hundred thousand foot soldiers, armed with clubs and maces, mounted upon elephants, marched to face the great army of Ahlada. Between these two mighty hosts erupted a tumultuous battle, so fierce and dreadful that it made the hair stand on end. This great conflict, known as Samara-shali, raged unceasingly for seven days and nights. In the end, all one hundred thousand of the enemy fell, slain by the soldiers of Balakhani. Rejoicing in victory, Balakhani spoke triumphant words at the fortress. When the king’s seven sons saw their army destroyed—Mahananda, Nanda, Parananda, Upananda, and Kau, all valiant warriors of the Tomara lineage, mounted on elephants—they were seized by terror and approached Balakhani in fear. Then, with incredible swiftness, the mighty one who dwelt upon the pigeon surged forward. Tāraka advanced against Sunanda, while Sūryavarmā confronted Upananda. All fought fiercely, each intent on the destruction of his foe. Yet, in the end, the powerful sons of Bāhlīka were defeated. Beholding the ruin of his dreadful army, King Abhinandana explained to the king the cause of their defeat, recounting the events as they had unfolded. Hearing this, Kutuka sought to comfort the king and, through her power, bewildered the enemy army, rendering them insensible as if turned to stone. At this time, the dancer Kesariṇī, through her art, ensnared eight mighty warriors, and Bāhlīka, with a tranquil mind, bound them securely with strong shackles. By the boon of the goddess, Devasiṃha, though overcome by fear, was spared from harm. Goddess Svarṇavatī, skilled in all knowledge, perceived the truth of these events. In that place, she saw Makaranda and his wife residing peacefully in their home. Then Kṛṣṇāṃśa, distressed by the turmoil, spoke to Makaranda, reminding him that the destruction of a family is a great sin, as declared by the wise of old. Hearing these words, Makaranda’s brother-in-law, accompanied by a band of heroes, swiftly mounted his horse with Kṛṣṇāṃśa and made his way to Bāhlīka. At that time, Svarṇavatī the goddess was accompanied by Puṣpavatī. Makaranda cut through the magical illusions of Śāṃbarī and awakened his own soldiers. When Kutuka saw those who had joined with the enemy, she approached with Svarṇavatī. Together, they destroyed all the magic and bound two who resembled demons. Despite their efforts, the one they sought was neither burned by fire nor reduced to ashes. Then the goddess Puṣpavatī, enraged, slew the lioness. After slaying Kutuka, Puṣpavatī herself became golden in form. The goddess, radiant and beautiful, returned together with her companion. All those present, bewildered by the goddess’s power, were struck with astonishment and lost their awareness. Yet, even as confusion reigned, battle once again erupted between the two armies upon the field.