the Brahmanda Purana: Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu Vamana and Mahabali Varaha and Hiranyaksha Samudra Manthana: The churning of the ocean Tarakamaya War: Soma and Brihaspati Adibaka: According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, the king Harishchandra promised before to Varuna that he would celebrate for his propitiation the great Naramedha sacrifice, when he would offer his own son as a victim to be immolated to cure himself of his disease. When he had second thoughts, the guru Vashishta suggested that he sacrifice a Brahmin boy instead, and the king acquired a boy called Sunasepha for the deed. Vishvamitra urged him to release the innocent child, and when the king refused, taught him a mantram of Varuna, which often invoked, freed him. Vashishta cursed Vishvamitra to be born in his next birth as a baka (crane), and the latter cursed the former to take birth as an adi (myna). The crane Visvamitra built its nest on the top of a tree on the Manasarovara lake and began to live there. Vashistha, too, assumed the form of an adi bird, and built his nest on the top of another tree and lived there. Thus the two rishis spent their days in full enmity towards each other. These two birds used to shriek so terribly loud that they became a nuisance to all, and they fought daily with each other. Brahma then freed them from these curses, and the gurus returned to their ashrams. Traipura: Tripurasura and Shiva Andhakara: Andhaka and Shiva Dhvaja: In the battle called Dhvaja, the danava Vipracitti, described as the "terror of the celestials", adept in the art of maya and a being who threatened the three worlds, was killed by Indra after penetrating a hundred thousand dhvajas (banners). Varta: The asura Vritra and Indra Halahala: According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, the Halahalas were a sect of asuras who were the first creation of the Trimurtis, when they also possessed the power of creation. The Halahalas, who became very powerful within a short period of time, earned from Brahma all the boons they wanted, and they then conquered the three worlds. At last, they barricaded Kailasa and Vaikuntha as well, so Vishnu and Shiva defeated them after a fierce fight lasting for a thousand years. The deities returned to their abodes and spoke about their achievements. Their wives laughed at the bravado of their husbands. At this Vishnu got angry