After the Goddess had beguiled the two mighty demons, leaving even the God of gods momentarily enshrouded in illusion, the Blessed Vishnu—the Supreme Self, Lord of the worlds—regained his awareness. As he looked upon those two foremost of demons, they, in turn, beheld Madhusudana, the slayer of Madhu. Resolute for battle, the terrible pair advanced upon Hari, and thus began a fierce combat between the Blessed Madhusudana and those formidable foes. For five thousand years, the mighty Lord fought them, his own arms serving as his sole weapons. The demons, drunk on their own power, remained ensnared in the net of illusion that clouds the world. At last, they addressed the Supreme Lord: "Choose a boon," they said. Hearing this, the Blessed Primeval Person replied, "Let both of you be slain by me today, certainly." Yet the two, still brimming with strength, pleaded further with Hari: "Slay us not where the earth is covered with water." The Lord, bearer of the mace and conch, granted their request, saying, "So be it." Then, with his discus, he struck them down, severing their heads at the hips. Thus, the Goddess manifested herself and was praised by Brahma. O great king, this was Mahakali, sovereign of all yoginis. Now, hear also of the origin of Mahalakshmi. The tale of Savarni Manu and the deeds of the Goddess must be told. When the gods had been defeated and cast out from heaven, they journeyed together to the highest world, led by Brahma. There, where the two supreme gods—Shankara and Achyuta—were present, the gods recounted the cruel deeds of the wicked Mahishasura. This evil demon, Mahishasura, had violently seized the abodes of all the gods and now ruled them, intoxicated by pride in his own strength and valor. The gods implored: "O Lords of the Immortals, let us quickly consider the means for his destruction, O destroyers of demons." Hearing these anguished words, the Blessed Lord—together with the sons of Shankara and Padmaja—became filled with wrath. As Hari’s anger blazed forth, a divine radiance, brilliant as a thousand suns, emerged from his mouth. In turn, the radiance of all the dwellers of heaven issued from their bodies, delighting the lords of the gods. From Shambhu’s radiance her face was formed; her hair from Yama’s energy; her arms from Vishnu’s power. Soma’s energy shaped her breasts, Indra’s formed her waist, and Varuna’s radiance gave rise to her thighs and shanks. Her hips were made from the radiance of the earth, her feet from Brahma’s energy, her toes from the Sun’s brilliance, and her fingers from Vasava’s power. Kubera’s energy formed her nose, Prajapati’s supreme radiance her teeth. Her three beautiful eyes were created by Agni, her eyebrows by the energy of Sandhya, and her ears by Vayu’s energy. Thus, from the radiance of all the gods, the great goddess Mahishamardini was born. Shiva bestowed upon her a trident; Vishnu gave her a discus and a conch; the Lord of Bonds gave her a noose; Agni gave her a spear; Maruta, a bow and arrows. Mahendra gifted her a thunderbolt and a bell from Airavata, his elephant; Yama gave her the staff of time; Brahma, a rosary and a water-pot. The Sun adorned her with a garland of rays for her pores. Kala gave her a sword and a spotless shield. The ocean presented her with a pure garland, an unaging garment, a crest-jewel, earrings, bracelets, and armlets. He also gave her a flawless crescent moon, anklets, a neck ornament, and other adornments. Vishvakarma gave her armlets; Himavat gave her a lion as her mount and various gems. The lord of wealth gave her a vessel filled with divine liquor, and Shesha bestowed upon her a serpent-necklace. Honored by all the gods without exception, this World-Encompassing Goddess was praised by the gods, who suffered under Mahisha’s tyranny. With many hymns, they honored the great Lady, the very cause of creation. Hearing their prayers, the goddess, worshipped by all, listened intently. Then, to slay Mahisha, she uttered a great, terrible roar. The sound startled Mahisha, lord of the Danavas. Surrounded by his vast army, the Mother of the Universe confronted him. The great demon Mahisha, thus challenged, entered into battle with the Goddess. The sky filled with a storm of weapons and missiles hurled by the demon generals—Cikshura, Durdhara, and Durmukha—who led the army. Baskala, Tamraka, and another with a cat-like face, along with countless others as fierce as Death itself, joined the fray. Surrounded by these warriors, the valiant Mahisha, best of the Danavas, stood firm. The Goddess, her eyes blazing with anger, bewilderer of the worlds, struck down in battle the warriors who had taken refuge with Mahisha. Seeing his followers slain, the demon was seized by furious wrath. Skilled in magic, he swiftly approached the Goddess, assuming many forms by his illusion. Yet, as each form appeared, she destroyed it. At last, he took on his terrible buffalo shape—the terror of the immortals.