With sword in hand, he drove away the terrifying Yakshas, leaving only the mighty protector—the buffalo, the son of Rambha. This buffalo-born Asura had conquered all the gods throughout the heavens, including Indra, Rudra, Arka, and the Maruts. Victorious over Shambara, Taraka, and other foes, 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 was cast far away, opposed and defeated. In those troubled times, I led the gods with a hymn to seek the grace of the wielder of the discus, the lord of Shri. Upon seeing him and bowing in reverence, the two who accomplish success reported the deeds of the buffalo-born Asura: "Driven from heaven, we have been cast down and forced to dwell on earth by the buffalo Asura. If we do not descend to the netherworld today, the Danava will destroy us in battle." Witnessing their plight, Hari—the imperishable self—became suddenly angry, his wrath blazing like the fire of time. In the same moment, from the faces of the gods, beginning with Shakra, great splendor and energy issued forth. The sage Katyayana, peerless among ascetics, gathered all that divine energy together. From this, she was born: Katyayani, her wide, restless eyes shining, her body purified by yoga. Her hair was fashioned from Yama’s energy, her arms from Hari’s, resulting in eighteen powerful arms. Her thighs and shanks, joined at the hips, arose from the energy of the lord of waters. Her fingers came from the Sun’s energy, her hand-fingers from the Earth’s. Her beautiful brows were shaped by the Sadhyas, gleaming like Kama’s bow. Thus, she shone forth as Katyayani, renowned by that name throughout the world. The gods bestowed their gifts upon her: Agni gave his power, Vāyu his bow, and Sūrya an inexhaustible quiver and arrows. Brahmā presented a rosary and water-pot, while Kāla granted a fierce sword and shield. The divine artisan, maker of the Vasus, offered a crest-jewel, earrings, a half-moon, and an axe. The lord of serpents gave a serpent-necklace, and the bestower of unfading flowers gave her a garland. The best of the gods, along with Indra, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Vāyu, Agni, and Sūrya, praised her with devotion. Sleep, in her own form, spread over the earth, as did thirst, shame, hunger, fear, and beauty. Livelihood, compassion, and delusion became her chariot in this world. All offered salutations to the divine one who takes the forms of worldly existence. Meanwhile, Vindhya, the great mountain with lofty peaks, was made lower by the sage Agastya. "For what reason and by whom was this done?" was asked by one of pure and noble conduct. At the end of a sacrifice, the Sun met Kumabhava and spoke, "Grant me a gift, whatever you wish, so that I may dwell content in the three worlds." Kumabhava replied, "I will grant whatever your mind desires; no petitioner leaves me disappointed." The Sun requested, "O Lord, this great mountain blocks my path; strive to make Vindhya lower." Kumabhava assured him, "This mountain, conquered by your rays, will be under my protection; what distress can there be for you?" The great sage, leaving Daṇḍaka, journeyed to Mount Vindhya with his aged body. "I am old and weak, unable to climb you; therefore, become lower at once," he commanded. The foremost of sages stepped over Vindhya and, having crossed, spoke to the mountain: "You must not grow here until I return; otherwise, I will curse you out of disregard." Vindhya, holding onto hope, awaited the sage’s return. After placing the princess of Vidarbha there, the sage went to his gentle hermitage. Radiant with ascetic power, he remained in Dandaka, practicing austerities for the rest of his days. He resolved never to withdraw, and so he stayed at the lower peak, ensuring Vindhya remained subdued.