Śaṅkara, the trident-bearing Lord, approached the goddess with a gentle smile upon his face. At his words, the daughter of the mountain—Parvati—drew near and beheld a most wondrous sight. Overcome with delight, she embraced her son with deep affection. Yet, O goddess, though he was her own son, he existed without a leader, destined to create thousands of obstacles for the gods and others. Having thus spoken, Śaṅkara entrusted the boy to the goddess, acknowledging him as her son. In the same manner, the fierce hosts of the Mothers and those who cause obstacles came forth. The goddess, beholding her son, was filled with supreme joy. She, who had once slain the mighty demons Śumbha and Niśumbha, now rejoiced at this moment. Indeed, the story of the mountain’s daughter—Parvati—brings heaven and fame, destroys sin, and is filled with great power. Parvati had three sons, each one surpassing even Indra, the thousand-eyed, in strength. The third among them was named Namuci, endowed with immense power. Wishing to destroy him, Hari—Vishnu—grasped the thunderbolt and mounted the chariot of the sun. Yet, even Achyuta, the infallible one, could not vanquish Namuci there, for the demon had received a boon: no weapon or missile could harm him. Leaving the sun’s chariot behind, Namuci descended to the netherworld. There, the lord of the Dānavas saw him, seized him, and spoke, “Let this foam touch me,” as he grasped it with both hands. Then Śakra, Indra, struck with the vajra, though Namuci was hidden within the foam. Thus was Namuci destroyed, but in that act, Brahmahatyā—the sin of killing a Brahmin—touched Hari. Enraged by their brother’s death, the two heroic brothers, Sumbha and Niśumbha, rose up. The gods, led by Indra, gathered for battle. Sumbha and Niśumbha seized Indra’s elephant and Yama’s buffalo by force and carried off treasures such as the lotus and conch. Emerging upon the earth, they encountered a great Asura. “I am a Daitya, O lord, a minister of Mahiṣa,” he declared. Two ministers, renowned as Canda and Muṇḍa, stood by—valiant and splendid. “Our lord is the Dānava named Mahiṣa. Tell me, what is your valor, what is your power? Declare it. This is Niśumbha, my younger brother, destroyer of hosts of enemies. All the other mighty heroes have been conquered. Until then, we two, surrounded by our armies, will slay them.” From the waters, Canda and Munda, the two Dānavas, emerged and spoke gentle words: “Who is this leader of yours?” They learned that the second was Niśumbhaka, the younger brother. “I will marry her who is the jewel among the three worlds,” said Śumbha. “He who is the lord alone is worthy of the jewel; therefore, let her be given to Śumbha.” Once more, Kauśikī, endowed with extraordinary beauty, was born in this very way. Then, a demon was sent to the goddess dwelling in the Vindhya mountains. Filled with anger, Niśumbha and Śumbha spoke their challenge, setting the stage for a great confrontation.