In the house of beauty, its seal was bestowed by the king of love himself, marking it with his divine touch. I see this place as a city, well fortified and guarded by the ramparts of the lord of desire. For the sake of habitation, the god of love settled people there, as one would in a fertile land. After its creation, the exhausted creator handed it over, offering it for examination in the palm of his hand. Seizing the worlds like something newly formed, he stood, his virtue derived solely from beauty. At their command, a garland of jewel-like nails appeared, shining like a string of stars in the night sky. We saw her as we wished, but knew nothing of her origins—whose daughter she was, or if she was merely a young girl. “Go yourself to the Vindhya mountains and see,” someone advised. “Do what you desire and what is fitting for you.” Resolving in his mind without doubt, he declared, “There is no buffalo here.” Wherever one comes from, O Brahmin, in whatever manner, he is led or goes on his own. Then, the great lord of the asuras commanded Ugrāyudha, Cikṣura, and Raktabīja. Arriving at the base, these sons of Danu set up camp and stood ready. Among them was Dundubhi, son of Maya, crusher of enemy armies, the one who strikes the drum. A messenger approached the maiden: “O maiden, I am the envoy of the great asura, the matchless son of Rambha, renowned in battle. Speak truly, without delusion, the message that the son of Rambha has spoken.” Seated comfortably on the highest seat, the son of Rambha spoke: “Just as the gods, defeated by me in battle, wander the earth bereft of strength, I am Indra, I am Rudra, I am the sun; in all the worlds, O girl, I am the lord. Whoever has faced me in battle, whether spirit or yaksha, none has wished to live. O wide-eyed one, today in the month of Śrāvaṇa, my hard-won achievements have gathered here. Therefore, accept me as lord of the world; I am a worthy husband for you, mighty and powerful.” “It is true,” he continued, “the lord of the dānavas is supreme on earth; it is true, the gods have been defeated in battle. If today the buffalo demon is given to me, I will truly accept him as my husband, by the force of truth. He would even give his own head for your sake—what bride-price could there possibly be, if it is to be given here and now to you both?” Smiling at these words, she spoke for the welfare of all beings, moving and unmoving: “He who conquers me, born of this lineage, in the forefront of battle—he alone shall become her husband.” The messenger went and reported everything accurately to the buffalo demon. Desiring to fight, the buffalo demon came to the peak of Mount Vindhya, to Sarasvatī. He appointed the demon named Namara as leader of the army. Taking a portion of the forces, Durgā rushed forth swiftly. The warriors addressed the great goddess: “O Ambikā, fasten your armor!” She replied, “Which lowly demon here would dare to stand before me with armor?” Then, for her protection, the Viṣṇu-cage was invoked. The buffalo demon was declared invulnerable to all the gods. Yet, with blows of her feet, she struck down the king of the buffalo demons, as has been told. Who could diminish his pride in battle, in whose mind the wielder of the discus abides? She slew him along with his mount, and thus, in detail, the dispute was resolved. Though weapons were present, she crushed him with her feet. This event, at the beginning of the age of the gods, is holy and removes the fear of sin. O Brahman, with elephants, horses, and chariots, the goddess was seen as she wished.