Having descended into the netherworld, he entered his own splendid palace. Branded as one who acted wrongly, he journeyed onward to Malavata. There, together with his companion, he reached that sacred and excellent region belonging to the Yakshas. In that blessed place, he fathered a pure son—a mighty buffalo, gifted with the power to assume any form at will. Meanwhile, she, upholding her own virtue, approached the noble Diti. Suddenly, drawing his sword with great swiftness, he rushed furiously at the buffalo. Yet, the virtuous woman was protected by the Guhyakas, who intervened and restrained the raging buffalo. In the ensuing chaos, the Daitya fell into a divine lake, where he met his end. Seeking refuge, he joined the Yakshas, driving away the wild beasts that threatened him. The dark-complexioned woman, in deep devotion, was placed upon the funeral pyre and ascended it with her husband, following the ancient rites. The buffalo, her son, remained as the sole protector, having driven away the terrifying Yakshas with sword in hand. This buffalo-born Asura, Rambha’s son, vanquished all the gods everywhere, including Indra, Rudra, Arka, and the Maruts. Having triumphed over Shambara, Taraka, and others, he was anointed king by the great lords of the Asuras. Under his rule, the Moon, Indra, and the Sun abandoned their realms, and righteousness itself was cast far away and opposed. At that time, led by me and accompanied by a hymn, we went to seek the aid of the wielder of the discus, the lord of Shri—Vishnu himself. Having arrived and bowed before him, the two who accomplish success recounted to him all the deeds of the buffalo-born Asura: “Driven from heaven, we have been cast down and forced to dwell upon earth by this buffalo Asura. If we do not descend today into the netherworld, we will surely be destroyed in battle by this Danava.” Hearing this, Hari—the imperishable self—became suddenly angry, blazing like the fire of time. In that moment, from the faces of the gods, beginning with Shakra, great splendor and energy issued forth. That immense energy was gathered together by the peerless sage Katyayana. From this combined radiance, she was born—Katyayani, with wide, restless eyes and a body purified by yoga. Her hair was formed from Yama’s energy, and her many arms—eighteen in all—manifested from the power of Hari. Her thighs and shanks, joined at the hips, were shaped by the energy of the lord of waters. Her fingers came from the Sun’s energy, and her hand-fingers from the Earth’s. Her beautiful brows, shining like Kama’s bow, were bestowed by the Sadhyas. Thus did Katyayani appear, resplendent and renowned by that very name throughout the world. The gods bestowed upon her their weapons and gifts: Agni gave his power, Vayu his bow, and Surya his inexhaustible quiver and arrows. Brahma offered a rosary and a water-pot, while Kala presented a fierce sword and shield. The divine artisan, maker of the Vasus, gave her a crest-jewel, earrings, a half-moon, and an axe. The lord of serpents gifted her a serpent-necklace, and the bestower of unfading flowers gave her a garland. The best of the gods—Indra, Vishnu, Rudra, Vayu, Agni, and Surya—joined together in praising her. Sleep, in her own form, spread across the earth, along with thirst, shame, hunger, fear, and beauty. Livelihood, compassion, and delusion became her chariot in this world; thus, salutations were offered to the divine one who takes on the forms of worldly existence. It was at this time that Vindhya, the great mountain with lofty peaks, was made lower by Agastya. The question arose: for what reason and by whom was this accomplished? The Sun, having met Kumabhava at the end of a great sacrifice, spoke, “Grant me a boon, whatever you desire, so that I may dwell content in the three worlds.” Kumabhava replied, “I will give you whatever gift your mind wishes for; no petitioner ever leaves me disappointed.