In the midst of a fierce battle, with unmatched precision, Durgā released an arrow that struck the charioteer, eight that shattered the chariot, and three that broke the demon’s bow. The lord of the demons, undaunted, fought both on foot and from his chariot, wielding a blazing, hundred-bladed weapon. The gods cried out in distress, and the circle of Mothers trembled in terror, witnessing the demon’s fury. He seized a sword, an elephant goad, a noose, a club, and a handful of other weapons—an axe, a club, a spear, and a mace—preparing to assault the goddess. Weapons hurled by the demon and his allies rushed toward Durgā, but she seized them with grace and power. Even her lion mount, drawn close by the goddess, was marked by the tip of her tail, a sign of her command. The demon’s rage transformed him moment by moment: he became a lion, then a boar, then a tiger, then an elephant. Finally, he assumed the form of a buffalo, his sharp horns glinting as his fury grew boundless. At times he soared through the sky; at others, he crashed down to the earth, shaking the world with his presence. Encouraged by the circle of Mothers, Durgā launched her attack against the buffalo-demon. As the demon fell, a deafening roar echoed across the battlefield. Strangled at the throat, the enemy of the immortals lost his life. Thus, Durgā destroyed Kāśara, the sole thorn afflicting all the worlds. All present marveled at the valor of Durgā, the remover of misfortune. When Bhadrakālī slew the buffalo-demon, Gaurī bowed with another hand, the one holding her sword. Seeing Durgā dance in joyful triumph, moved by compassion, Gaurī addressed her: “O dweller on Vindhya, by you a most difficult deed has been accomplished. Now, take away this buffalo’s head, impure and terrifying.” Thus instructed, Durgā, her mind filled with disgust, was asked by Gautama, “O goddess, create a new sacred place that destroys sin.” Anxious about the evil lingering from the battle, Durgā split the stone surface down to the netherworld and immersed herself in the deep, pure waters that flowed forth. At that moment, the liṅga that had adorned the neck of the buffalo fell to the ground. Emerging from the sacred waters, Durgā was freed from all sin. She circumambulated and bowed to the Lord, destroyer of sins. Witnessing her purification, Pārvatī gave her approval for the slaying of Mahiṣāsura without delay. Durgā then took and consumed the auspicious liṅga of the demon. All recognized that meditation upon Durgā alone destroys the sins of the worlds, yet, in accordance with worldly custom, she performed this act of purification. Gautama explained, “There is a certain rite that cleanses the impurity of the inner mind. This is Aruṇādri, manifest before us, concealed by the mountain of fire. You, O Kātyāyanī, must perform worship and austerity there.” Thus instructed, the Mother, from that time onward, undertook penance, standing amidst five fires. The daughter of the mountain shone like a golden rod, radiant in her austerity. On an auspicious full-moon day of Kārttikī, her penance reached its culmination, marking a moment of divine brilliance and victory.