In ancient times, for the sake of protection, the great Lord Īśa and the goddess Kātyāyanī took action, O best of the twice-born. Among the gods, Namara and Raktabīja, and other beings who were like thorns, caused much trouble. Similarly, Namara and Raktabīja, and other such thorns, arose among the Kurus. These events, dear one, ought to be narrated in detail. Kātyāyanī herself, O sage, is always revered as the boon-giving Durgā. In those days, two powerful Daityas, Rambha and Karambha, dwelled for many years in the waters of the five rivers. Karambha and Rambha, seeking out the Yakṣa Mālapaṭa, took him with their feet and struck him as they pleased. One of them, mighty in resolve, pressed his own head into the fire, wishing to offer it as an oblation. As he tried to cut off his own head, the fire restrained him. For one destined to be slain by another, the path is difficult to cross; but for one fated to destroy himself, it is even harder to overcome. A voice urged him, "Do not die; for when one is dead, all stories here are lost." Rambha prayed, "May my son, through your surpassing energy, become the conqueror of the three worlds." He wished for his son to be mighty like the wind, able to assume any form at will, and skilled in the use of weapons. Whatever you set your mind upon, my son, that shall you accomplish. To see the Yaksha Malavata, surrounded by other Yakshas, there were elephants, buffaloes, horses, cows, and flocks of goats and sheep. The queen, Trihāyaṇī, endowed with beauty, was present, O ascetic rich in austerity. Driven by destiny, he set out on his journey. He entered the netherworld and went to his own palace. Thus, being called one who acts wrongly, he traveled to Malavata. Together, they went to that sacred and excellent region of the Yakshas. There, he begot a pure son—a buffalo who could assume any form at will. The noble Diti was approached by the queen, who preserved her own virtue. Suddenly, a sword was drawn swiftly, and he rushed at the buffalo. That virtuous woman was protected by the Guhyakas, who restrained the buffalo. The Daitya fell into a divine lake and died. Afterward, he took refuge among the Yakshas, O sage, driving away the wild beasts. The dark-complexioned queen was placed upon the funeral pyre and ascended it with her husband. He drove away those terrifying Yakshas, sword in hand, except for the buffalo, Rambha's son. This buffalo conquered all the gods everywhere—Indra, Rudra, Arka, and the Marut. He was anointed king by the great lords of the Asuras, having defeated Shambara, Taraka, and others. The realms were abandoned by the Moon, Indra, and the Sun; righteousness was cast far away and opposed. At that time, led by me with a hymn, we went to see the wielder of the discus, the lord of Shri, Vishnu. Having seen him and bowed down, the two who accomplish success reported to him the deeds of the buffalo-born Asura. They said, "Driven from heaven, we were cast down and made to dwell on earth by the buffalo Asura. If we do not go today to the netherworld, we will be destroyed in battle by the Danava." Seeing this, Hari, the imperishable self, suddenly became angry, like the fire of time.