The divine artisan, the illustrious maker of the Vasus, offered splendid gifts: a radiant crest-jewel, shining earrings, a crescent moon, and a mighty axe. The lord of serpents bestowed a necklace made of living serpents, and the giver of unfading flowers presented a fragrant, everlasting garland. The greatest of the gods, accompanied by Indra, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Vāyu, Agni, and Sūrya, joined together in hymns of praise to her. Meanwhile, Sleep herself spread over the earth in her own form, and thirst, shame, hunger, fear, and beauty too manifested. Livelihood, compassion, and delusion became her chariot upon this world. All beings offered salutations to the divine one, who takes on the many forms of worldly existence. In those days, the mighty Vindhya mountain, with its towering peaks, was humbled by the sage Agastya. Curiosity arose as to why and by whom this feat had been accomplished, and so the tale was sought from one of pure and noble conduct. At the conclusion of a great sacrifice, the radiant Sun met Kumabhava and addressed him, “Grant me a boon, whatever you wish, by which I may dwell content in the three worlds.” Kumabhava replied, “I shall give you whatever your heart desires; never does a petitioner leave me disappointed.” The Sun answered, “O Lord, this great mountain now blocks my path; strive to make Vindhya lower.” Kumabhava assured the Sun, “This mountain, conquered by your rays, will be under my protection. What distress can there be for you?” Thus, the great sage, his body aged and frail, departed from Daṇḍaka and journeyed to Mount Vindhya. “I am old and weak, unable to climb you,” he declared to the mountain. “Therefore, become lower at once.” Obediently, Vindhya lowered itself, and the sage stepped over it. Once across, he spoke again to the mountain, “You must not grow here until I return; otherwise, I will curse you for your disregard.” Vindhya remained subdued, holding fast to the hope of the sage’s return. Having placed the princess of Vidarbha there, the sage returned to his gentle hermitage. Radiant with the power of his austerities, he remained in Dandaka, practicing penance for the rest of his days. Resolute, he did not withdraw, and so he stayed at the mountain’s lower peak. At the upper peak, the goddess Durga stood, praised by sages, ready for the destruction of demons. All the apsaras gathered there to comfort Katyayani, free from sorrow. One day, among those gathered, the two foremost demons, Chanda and Munda, beheld the ascetic woman. They, the messengers of Mahishasura, hurried to the queen of the Daityas and reported, “There is a goddess, a maiden of immense power, most beautiful among all divine beauties. With three eyes, she has conquered the three fires, and her throat has subdued the conch. Her breasts, formidable fortresses, have been shaped by love alone, knowing your valor. They are mechanisms of desire, and for the fearful, hesitant love, they are as if a staircase has been built. In the ascent, for those fearful of you, O demon, the sweat of Manmatha flows. The seal upon that house of beauty was set by the king of love himself. It is like a well-fortified city, guarded by the ramparts of the lord of desire. For the sake of dwelling, the god of love has settled people there as in a land. The creator, exhausted after making it, placed it in the palm for examination. Having seized the worlds, like one newly created, he stands, his virtue found only in beauty. By their command, a garland of jewel-like nails appeared, like a garland of stars in the sky. We saw her as we wished, but we do not know who she is, whose daughter she might be, or if she is simply a young girl.” They advised, “Go yourself to Vindhya and see; do what you desire and what is fitting.” The queen resolved in her mind, without doubt, and said, “There is no buffalo here.” For, wherever one comes from, O Brahmin, in whatever manner—whether led or going of his own accord—so it happens.