Desiring victory and surrounded by his formidable army, the mighty asura Ruru stirred enmity with the gods. As he rose in power, the ocean’s waters surged swiftly, flooding the slopes of mountains and teeming with serpents, crocodiles, and fish. Within those turbulent waves were countless hosts of enemies of the gods, adorned in wondrous armor and bearing dazzling weapons. From the depths of the ocean emerged a terrible and vast force, skilled in battle—a mighty army of elephants bearing daitya warriors, chariots with bells, and warriors endowed with great prosperity. They came forth, displaying forms like great fish, demonstrating their strength. Horses, bound with golden cords, appeared at the edge of the waters, glimmering like red Rohita fish. Swiftly, hundreds of thousands and crores of these warriors assembled together. Their speed rivaled the chariot of the sun, and they were equipped with Indra’s staff and unbroken bamboo poles. Chariots, their bodies pressed by machines and adorned with fluttering banners, made a resounding noise. Warriors, stationed on boats and eager to cross, held excellent weapons in their hands. Victorious in battle after battle, the fierce followers of the asuras shone greatly, especially as the gods were routed in that fight. The asuras pursued the gods here and there, and all the hosts of gods, overwhelmed by fear, fled from their relentless enemies. Seeking refuge, the gods hurried to the great blue mountain, where the goddess herself stood—terrible, endowed with ascetic power, blessed, and the supreme energy of Shiva. This goddess, known as Kālarātrī, the bringer of destruction, saw the terrified and bewildered gods. With eyes wide as blossoming lotuses, the goddess asked in astonishment, “I do not see any danger approaching from behind you. Why are all the gods, with Indra at their head, fleeing?” The gods replied, “Here comes the lord of the daityas, Ruru, of terrible might. Surrounded by a great fourfold army, he advances; therefore, O goddess, we, distressed, have come to seek your refuge.” Hearing their words, the goddess laughed aloud. As she laughed, splendid women emerged from her mouth. All of them bore nooses and goads, with full, high breasts; each held tridents, appeared fearsome, and had faces with fangs and goads. They wore crested crowns, their teeth clenched and bared, and with unholy roars and shouts, they terrified all beings, moving and unmoving. Some wore white garments, others wore varied clothes; some were dressed in deep blue, while others were eager for the taste of blood. Their faces and bodies took many forms and appearances. Surrounded by these fierce goddesses, the Supreme Goddess became the giver of safety to the gods. She reassured them, “Do not fear, gods—may good befall you!” Even as she spoke, Ruru, equipped with his fourfold force, arrived. The best of blue mountains, the path and refuge of the gods, was approached by the goddess. Seeing the gods’ army in confusion before her, the daityas came up, shouting, “Stop! Stop!” Then a terrible battle began between those fierce women and the asuras. On the earth lay daityas with bodies pierced by arrows, writhing like snakes whose backs had been broken in anger. Some had hearts split by spears, chests crushed by maces, heads cleaved by axes, and skulls shattered by clubs. Others had bellies pierced by tridents, necks severed by excellent swords. Wounded horses, chariots, elephants, and foot soldiers fell in the heat of battle. When all the Daityas, except Ruru, entered the battlefield, Ruru, seeing his army slain, resorted to his magic. By his illusion, both the goddesses and the gods on the battlefield were bewildered. Yet, by the dark magic of the goddess, everything became enveloped in deep darkness. Then the great and powerful goddess struck Ruru. When he was struck in battle by her, the darkness departed from the Daitya. As the dark illusion was destroyed, the Dānava Ruru swiftly fled to Pātāla. But even there, the Supreme Goddess was present. Together with the goddesses, angry, she stood before him, facing him directly—before Ruru, the lord of the Dānavas, who was frightened and had gone ahead. With the tip of her nail, she severed his head, seized his skin with swift speed, and then emerged from Pātāla, returning again to Puṣkara mountain. The maiden, accompanied by a great and radiant army of many forms, was seen by the astonished gods, bearing the skin and head of Ruru. The Supreme Goddess, having taken her place at her own seat of penance, was surrounded and attended by the illustrious goddesses. Eager and hungry, the goddesses began to beg her: “We are hungry, O Goddess, grant us the boon of food.” Having thus spoken, the goddess meditated on food for them, but despite her deep pondering, she could not find any suitable food. Then she meditated on Mahādeva, Rudra, the Lord of Creatures, the mighty one; and from her meditation, the Supreme Self, the three-eyed one, arose. Rudra spoke to the goddess: “What task do you wish to accomplish? Speak, O Goddess, great enchantress, whatever is in your mind.” The emissary of Śiva said: “O God, you dwell among the goats, taking the form of a goat; these goddesses will devour you as their desired food, with reverence. O Lord of gods, for their food you should give something here; these mighty ones, desiring food, threaten me with their tridents. Otherwise, these hungry ones might forcibly devour me as well; therefore, seeing me, quickly provide suitable food.