With a thunderous roar, the great goddess instantly reduced the demon to ashes. Then, O King, she turned her fury upon his army, destroying them with the power of her divine vehicle. The terrified soldiers scattered in all directions, some falling unconscious, others crying out in despair. When word of this calamity reached Shumbha, lord of the demons, he was informed of the destruction wrought by the goddess. Shumbha’s rage flared; his face twisted with fury, and his anger consumed him. Inflamed and powerful, the demon king dispatched Chanda, Munda, and Raktabija in succession. These three mighty demons, famed for their valor, marched forth determined to seize the goddess by force. As they advanced, the fierce goddess who protects the worlds confronted them, her presence formidable and unwavering. Seizing her spear, she hurled it swiftly to the earth, devastating the demon ranks. News of the slaughter reached the demon lords, and both Śumbha and Niśumbha surged forward with renewed vigor. Together, they engaged the goddess in a terrible and fierce battle. Yet, the goddess prevailed; she subdued and slew both Śumbha and Niśumbha. After vanquishing the foremost demon Śumbha, the All-pervading One was celebrated by the gods, and even the supreme Goddess of Speech herself joined in praise. Thus, O King, her most wondrous manifestation was described. In succession, the supreme Lady—the Goddess—creates the universe through her forms as Kālī, Mahālakṣmī, and Sarasvatī. She alone sustains the universe and brings about its dissolution. Take refuge in this Lady of the gods, who dispels the world’s delusion. That Great Māyā, most worthy of worship, will fulfill your purpose. Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: Thus, hearing the sage’s most excellent words, the king sought refuge in the Goddess who grants all desires. Fasting, self-controlled, with his mind fixed and fully concentrated, he worshipped the clay image of the Goddess with devotion. At the culmination of his worship, he offered his own bodily blood as oblation. Moved by his devotion, the Lady of the gods—the compassionate source of the universe—appeared before him, pleased, and said, “Ask for a boon.” The king requested the destruction of his own delusion, supreme knowledge, and a kingdom free from obstacles. The Goddess replied, “O King, I will grant you a kingdom free from obstacles and knowledge that destroys delusion, all in this very life. And listen further, O ruler of the earth, to your future birth: you will attain the birth of Bhānu and become Sāvarṇi. In that Manvantara, you will achieve the position of Manu, renowned for your prowess, and by my boon, you will enjoy a large and prosperous lineage.” Having granted these boons, the Goddess disappeared, and by her grace, the king became lord of the Manvantara. Thus, O holy one, the birth and deeds of Sāvarṇi have been described; whoever reads or hears this account attains the grace of the Goddess. Now begins the account of Bhrāmarī. Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: Listen to the wondrous origin of the remaining Manus; by merely remembering it, devotion to the Goddess arises. The six sons of Vaivasvata Manu—Karūṣa, Pṛṣadhra, Nābhāga, Diṣṭa, Śaryāti, and Triśaṅku—were pure and illustrious, endowed with might. These six journeyed to the excellent bank of the Kālindī river. There, having conquered their breath and abstained from food, each fashioned a separate image of the goddess from earth and began worship. With various offerings, they worshipped her reverently. These ascetics, possessing great strength, were embodiments of austerity. They subsisted on dried leaves, lived on air, survived on water, consumed smoke, absorbed sun rays, and endured hardship in succession. As their worship continued with unwavering devotion, a pure intellect arose within them, dispelling all delusion. Absorbed in single-minded contemplation of the goddess’s feet, the sons of Manu perceived the entire world within themselves through their purified intellect. A wondrous vision appeared to them swiftly, and after twelve years of austerity, the Lady of the Universe was revealed. The Queen of the Gods manifested, radiant like a thousand suns. Upon seeing her, the six royal sons became pure in soul. With hearts bowed in devotion and filled with feeling, they praised her: “Great Lady, Victorious One, Supreme Abode of Compassion! Delighted by the worship of Vagbhava and revealed through Vagbhava, O goddess whose form is the syllable ‘klīṃ’, giver of joy to those devoted to ‘klīṃ’. Giver of delight to the mind of Kāmarāja, pleasing to the Lord; O great Māyā, supreme in joy, bestower of great sovereignty. In the forms of Vishnu, Surya, Shiva, Indra, and others, you increase enjoyment.” Thus praised by the royal sons, the blessed goddess—great-souled—spoke auspicious words, her face radiant with grace: “Royal sons, you are great-souled and endowed with austerity. You have become free from blemish and pure in mind through my worship. Ask for any boon you desire, without delay. I am pleased and will grant whatever is fixed in your minds.” The royal sons replied, “O goddess, may our kingdom be free from thorns, and our lineage long-lived. May our enjoyments be unobstructed as we wish, may we have fame, brilliance, and wisdom. Let there be unimpeded prosperity for all—this is the boon we seek.” The goddess replied, “So be it, for all of you, whatever is in your minds. Now let me speak another word, attended with respect.