Today, I journeyed there and conveyed these words to her: "He has spoken to you, O supremely fortunate one, declaring himself the lord of the three worlds. In his palace, countless jewels are ever present. Therefore, he bids you choose—either himself or his younger brother Niśumbha. Indeed, it is true: Śumbha is the sovereign of the three worlds and deserving of every jewel. "But I replied, 'Whichever great Asura conquers me in battle, that one shall become my husband.' How could she not defeat you? Arise, O radiant one, pursue your desire, and take this message to Sumbha. She blazes like a mass of fire and will act as she deems fit." Hearing this, Sumbha summoned the distant demon Dhūmralocana and commanded him, "Though she is faultless, make her a slave and bring her here at once. If anyone stands in your way, even if he were your ancestor, do not hesitate to slay him." Thus, Dhūmralocana, flanked by six mighty warriors, approached Mount Vindhya. He declared, "If she does not come willingly, I shall drag her by her hair. What can a powerless woman accomplish here? I will do as I please." With this, he rushed forward with his mace, his strength formidable. Yet, with her divine forces, Kauśikī reduced him and his army to ashes, as fire consumes dry wood. Witnessing their champion and his host annihilated by Kauśikī, Sumbha then commanded the formidable demons Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa to lead their unmatched army—teeming with elephants, horses, and chariots—against her. As the enemy forces, numbering in the hundreds of millions, advanced, she met them fearlessly. Some she struck down with her hand, others with her mouth, almost playfully. The lion that dwelled in the mountain caves also joined the fray, slaying many of the foes. Seeing their army so afflicted, the lips of Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa quivered with rage. As these two fierce ones fell, their wrath mounting, from Ambikā herself emerged Kālī, the auspicious yoginī with a terrifying visage. Her limbs were withered, her body smeared with blood, and she wore a garland of kings' heads. In her fury, she struck down enemy horses, chariots, and elephants with savage force. Ambikā seized an elephant and its driver and hurled them both into her mouth. Grabbing a warrior, she tossed him into her mouth as well, chewing him up. Another she crushed beneath her foot, sending him to his death. Witnessing these horrors, the demon Ruru fled in terror, but Caṇḍī herself saw him and struck him down. He fell to the earth like a tree whose roots had been severed. She tore open his armor, ripping it from his ear down to his feet. Only one among the enemy was left unbound; she seized this one and threw her to the ground. Ambikā's form now shone with a hue half dark, half pale. At that moment, she was given the renowned name Caṇḍamārī. Declaring, "I myself will slay them; you must bring them here," she sent her command. Terrified, the two demons fled, seeking refuge in the southern direction. Then, mounting a swift ass, she sped forth, swift as Garuḍa himself.