In the blazing heat, he served the very fire itself; when the rains fell and thunder rolled, he stood firm, enduring the tumult of the clouds. He sustained himself on fallen leaves, sipped water, even subsisted on mere air, living without shelter or comfort. In this manner, for a thousand years, he performed austerities of the most severe and difficult kind. At last, Brahma, the Creator, appeared before him and said, “O best of demons, choose a boon you desire from me.” Thus addressed, the demon named Tripura replied, “With gods, celestial beings, gandharvas, spirits, serpents, and rakshasas…” But as soon as Tripura had spoken, Brahma suddenly vanished from that place. From that moment onward, Tripura, the great demon, unleashed a vast slaughter upon the gods. He established Tripura and other moving cities wherever he pleased, wielding his power with abandon. His mind corrupted, he brought destruction upon the gods by many means. The sacred fire sacrifices ceased; soma was no longer offered. The utterances ‘svāhā’, ‘svadhā’, and ‘vaṣaṭ’ disappeared from the world. There were no temples for the gods, and no worship of Shiva remained. Good conduct vanished; compassion and respect for humanity were nowhere to be found. In that city, Vyasa, the world was nearly destroyed. Because of Tripura, the hosts of gods were nearly annihilated, their strength utterly broken. In their desperation, the gods formed an alliance, consulting and taking counsel together. They began to discuss the cause of their suffering. Led together, they journeyed to the sacred Mahakala forest, a place of great sanctity. There stands the divine city of Avanti, honored by all holy waters. After bathing, giving, reciting, and making offerings in the lake of Rudra, Brahma addressed the Lord: “O God of gods, great Lord, remover of fear for your devotees, Tripura, lord of the demons, has become a great destroyer of the gods. Having established three vast cities, he now moves about as he pleases. In doing so, he has brought all beings, moving and unmoving, to ruin. All the hermitages of sages and the dwellings of ascetics have been destroyed; the gods, deprived of their kingdoms, have been defeated. Because of wicked Tripura, the gods now wander the earth like mortals. Therefore, by every possible effort, let us consider the destruction of that one.” Hearing Brahma’s resolute words, Shiva replied, “I will devise a means of victory over this wicked demon. But you all must undertake austerities, desiring your own triumph.” Having spoken thus, Shiva vanished from their midst. For the sake of victory over the wicked Tripura, Shiva, the Bull-bannered One, worshipped the Goddess with great sacrificial buffaloes, animal offerings, flowers, water, and libations. With a serene mind, he praised Durgā, the Blessed and Auspicious One, who ferries beings across the perilous ocean of worldly existence. He lauded her as Rakta, intoxicated by the blood and marrow of demons, with blood-red teeth; as the dark-hued one who rides a buffalo, attended by yakṣas and seated upon their throne. Having worshipped her with devotion and meditation, the gracious-faced Caṇḍikā appeared before Shiva and spoke: “I grant you everything you have asked, which brings benefit to the worlds. By my power, I shall slay the great demon Tripura, the thorn of the gods. I have bestowed upon you the supreme weapon for the destruction of demons.