At the command of the mighty king of the buffaloes, a messenger was dispatched to Mount Arbuda. Upon arriving, the messenger returned with astonished news for the buffalo king. He reported that there dwelled a maiden of extraordinary origin, born from divine radiance, whose beauty even now surpassed all description. Her youth and splendor were so remarkable that words failed to capture their fullness. The ascetics present there were all questioned about her, but none could adequately express the marvel of her form and grace. Moved by this report, the buffalo king chose a wise demon to serve as his envoy. He instructed, “O wise one, go swiftly, and on my behalf, approach that ascetic woman.” Obediently, the wise messenger hurried to her, bowed deeply, and with humility conveyed his master’s message. “There is one named Mahiṣa,” he announced, “renowned and powerful, lord of the three worlds. He desires you, O auspicious one, to be his lawful wife, in accordance with righteousness. If he pleases you, and you are likewise dear to him…” Hearing these words, the goddess replied with calm authority. “A messenger is always declared inviolable everywhere. Go and tell that wicked, lowly demon Mahiṣa: all this effort has been made by me for your destruction.” The messenger, overwhelmed by great fear and astonished by her incomparable beauty and resolute words, returned to Mahiṣa. When the news reached him, O King, Mahiṣa was tormented by the arrows of desire, his mind inflamed. Determined to win her, he commanded, “Assemble an invincible army on Mount Arbuda.” At his order, a mighty fourfold army was marshaled—elephants, fully armored and bearing warriors; horses, spotless and swift as the wind, radiant in their strength; chariots fashioned like flying palaces; and foot soldiers, massive in form, mighty archers endowed with immense power. The army numbered one hundred thousand elephants and thrice as many chariots, a host so vast it encircled the mountain from afar. Mahiṣa himself, consumed by longing, beheld the goddess deep in meditation and was pierced again by desire. Approaching her, he declared, “Hearing of your beauty, O lovely-faced one, I have come. I already have sixty thousand wives, O pure-smiling one. Child, your austerity is unworthy; enjoy pleasures as you wish.” Yet, even as he addressed her thus, the goddess remained silent, unmoved. Seeing his greed and persistence, she was filled with anger. Harshly, she spoke, “Go, go!” and dismissed him repeatedly. Enraged, Mahiṣa, together with his ministers, surrounded her on all sides. At this, the supreme lady laughed aloud, undaunted. His ministers, well-armored and brimming with wrath, joined him, and together they charged at the buffalo. A fierce battle erupted between the assembled hosts and the demons. The buffalo, struck and enraged by his ministers, became furious. Mounting his excellent chariot, he addressed his charioteer, vowing, “Having slain her, today I shall cross the difficult shore of wrath.” Thus, the stage was set for a great and terrible confrontation.