As Girijā, pleased by the praise she had received, asked, “Tell me the reason for your words,” a wondrous event unfolded. From her very sheath emerged Kauśikī, radiant and revered by all the worlds. Kauśikī, full of affection, spoke to the assembled gods: “O best of gods, your excellent hymn has pleased me.” When she graciously offered them a boon, saying, “Choose what you desire,” the gods spoke of their plight: “There is one named Śumbha, and his renowned brother Niśumbha. These mighty demons, by their strength, have seized the three worlds. O Goddess, please consider slaying this wicked lord of the Dānavas, for he constantly harasses us, overpowering us with his might.” With compassion, the Goddess replied, “I will cast down the enemies of the gods—Niśumbha and Śumbha. Remain at ease; may all be well with you. I will destroy your thorn.” Having spoken thus, she addressed the gods and Indra with kindness, and then vanished from their sight. Filled with delight, the gods assembled and journeyed to the auspicious cave atop the golden mountain. As they watched, Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, servants of Śumbha and Niśumbha, caught sight of the Goddess. She was beautiful in every limb, a vision that bewilders the worlds. The two hurried to their king, Śumbha, the best among asuras, worthy of jewels and pleasures, and said, “O lord, we have seen an extraordinary, desirable woman. She is fit for your enjoyment. Bring her to you and enjoy happiness; such a woman is not found among asuras, gandharvas, dānavas, humans, or even goddesses. None are as enchanting as she.” Śumbha, hearing these words, sent a messenger named Sugrīva, a dānava, who quickly approached the Goddess with respect. Sugrīva conveyed Śumbha’s message: “O Goddess, Śumbha is the lord and conqueror of the three worlds, the honored enjoyer of all jewels and treasures among the gods. He says to you: I am the imperishable enjoyer of jewels. You too are a jewel, O beautiful-eyed one; unite with me. All jewels among gods, asuras, and men are mine. Enjoy with me the pleasures of desire.” The Goddess responded, “You speak the truth, O messenger, pleasing to the daitya king. But how could the vow I made before become false? Hear the vow I have made: whoever dispels my pride, removes my strength, and becomes equal in power to me—he alone shall enjoy my pleasures. Therefore, let your lord fulfill this promise in truth; let him seize my hand with force—what is impossible for him in this matter? Go, great messenger, and respectfully tell your master: if he is stronger, he will fulfill my promise in truth.” Sugrīva listened and faithfully reported all to Śumbha. Upon hearing the messenger’s unpleasant words, Śumbha, mighty lord of the demons, became greatly enraged. He commanded the demon Dhumraksha: “Listen to me, Dhumraksha; bring that wicked woman to me quickly, even if you must kill her and drag her by her hair. Go at once.” Dhumralochana, the lord of the demons, received the command and set out with sixty thousand powerful demons. Arriving at the snowy mountain, he approached the Goddess and loudly proclaimed, “O auspicious one, quickly submit to the lord of the demons. Accept Śumbha, the mighty one, and enjoy all pleasures; otherwise, I will seize you by your hair and take you to the lord of the demons.” The Goddess replied, “What you say is true, O mighty one. King Śumbha is an asura, and you too; tell me, what will you do?” Thus addressed, the demon lord rushed forward, armed with weapons. With a roar, the great Goddess instantly reduced him to ashes. Then, O king, she destroyed his army with her vehicle. The demon army scattered swiftly in all directions, becoming unconscious and crying out. Hearing of their defeat, Śumbha was informed, and his fury grew, his face twisted with rage. Possessed by anger, Śumbha sent forth Caṇḍa, Muṇḍa, and Raktabīja in turn. These three mighty demons, renowned for their valor, set out to seize the Goddess by force. But as they attacked, the fierce, world-protecting Goddess confronted them. Seizing her spear, she hurled it swiftly to the ground, slaying the demons and their armies. News of this reached Śumbha and Niśumbha, who then came forth with great vigor and engaged the Goddess in a fierce and terrible battle. Both Śumbha and Niśumbha were subdued and slain by the Goddess. After killing the foremost demon Śumbha, the All-pervading One was praised by the gods and by the supreme Goddess of Speech herself. In this way, O King, her most wondrous manifestation has been described. In her forms as Kālī, Mahālakṣmī, and Sarasvatī, the supreme Lady, the Goddess, creates the universe, manifesting her power and glory in succession.