As the battle raged, the mighty heroes of the opposing forces had already been conquered, and now only a few remained. Among them, two determined leaders, encircled by their armies, resolved to fight on and slay their enemies until victory was theirs. From the waters emerged Canda and Munda, the two formidable Dānavas. Approaching with apparent gentleness, they addressed the goddess’s attendants, inquiring, “Who is this leader of yours?” They soon revealed their intentions, explaining that Niśumbhaka, the younger brother, was present as well. With pride, they declared, “I shall marry her who is the jewel among the three worlds.” Their spokesman insisted, “He who is the lord alone is worthy of the jewel; therefore, let her be given to Śumbha.” At that very moment, Kauśikī, radiant with surpassing beauty, was born in the same miraculous way as before. Śumbha, desiring her, sent a demon messenger to the goddess who dwelled in the Vindhya mountains. When Niśumbha and Śumbha learned of her refusal, their anger flared, and they spoke harshly. The demon messenger returned and reported, “Today I went to her and conveyed your words. I told her, ‘Śumbha is the lord of the three worlds. His palace is filled with countless jewels at all times. Therefore, choose either Śumbha or his younger brother Niśumbha.’” The goddess replied, “It is true, Śumbha is lord of the three worlds and worthy of the jewel. But whoever conquers me in battle, that great Asura shall be my husband.” The messenger, astounded by her resolve, urged the brothers, “How can she not defeat you? Rise up, O radiant ones. Pursue your desire, and report back to Śumbha. She, blazing like a mass of fire, will act as she sees fit.” Śumbha, enraged by this answer, summoned the distant demon Dhūmralocana. He commanded, “Make her, though faultless, a slave; bring her here quickly. If anyone stands in your way, even if he were an ancestor, he must be slain without hesitation.” Obeying, Dhūmralocana, accompanied by six mighty warriors, marched toward Mount Vindhya. He threatened, “If she does not come willingly, I will drag her by her hair. What could a powerless woman do against us? Do as you wish.” With great strength, Dhūmralocana rushed forward, brandishing his mace. But Kauśikī, radiant and fierce, reduced him and his forces to ashes in an instant, just as fire consumes dry wood. Witnessing this devastation, Śumbha and Niśumbha’s fury grew. They immediately dispatched the powerful Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, commanding their unmatched army—crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots—to attack. As the enemy’s forces, numbering in the hundreds of millions, approached, the goddess played with them as if they were mere toys: some she struck with her hand, others with her mouth. The lion, her companion dwelling in the mountain caves, also joined the fray, slaying the demons mercilessly. Seeing their armies afflicted and falling, the lips of Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa quivered with anger. Amidst this chaos, as the two fierce demons were overwhelmed with wrath, another formidable being emerged. It was Kālī, the auspicious yoginī, terrifying in appearance. Her limbs were withered, her body smeared with blood, and she wore a garland of kings’ heads around her neck. Greatly enraged, Kālī struck down the enemy’s horses, chariots, and elephants with unmatched ferocity. Ambikā, the goddess, hurled an elephant and its driver into Kālī’s gaping mouth. Seizing a warrior, Ambikā cast him into the yoginī’s jaws, where he was devoured without mercy. Thus, the battlefield became a scene of divine wrath and unstoppable power, as the goddesses annihilated the armies of the asuras.