In the midst of a great crisis, the goddess known as Kalaratri—revered as the agent of destruction—revealed herself to the assembled gods. Her presence was awe-inspiring, for she embodied the power to dissolve all things. With a loud and reassuring voice, she addressed the best among the gods, saying, “Do not fear! Why are you so troubled, O gods? Is there some danger you perceive? Speak quickly, O gods, and tell me what causes you such distress.” The gods responded anxiously, “The lord of the daityas approaches, fierce and mighty. Protect your brothers and all the gods, O supreme ruler.” Hearing their plea, Kalaratri smiled with great affection, her radiance and auspiciousness lighting up the assembly. She was the one by whom the entire world was pervaded and transformed in countless ways. Around her, ranks of goddesses stood assembled, all fearsome and splendid, bearing spears and bows. These mighty beings fought together against the Danavas, their quivers bound and ready. The gods themselves, fully equipped, joined battle against the host of Nagas. The entire force of Danavas was led to destruction by Yama, who unleashed a great and terrible illusion, fierce in nature. This illusion bewildered the gods, causing them to fall into sleep. Even the demon with auspicious eyes was struck by it, and at that moment, the skin and head of the lord of the Danavas were torn. The battle raged; all were fully equipped and fought valiantly, but the supreme goddess was the fiercest among all beings. Her attendant goddesses were countless, numbering in crores, and they too joined the struggle. After the battle, these restless, hungry goddesses gathered around Kalaratri, begging her for food. Hearing their plea, the goddess graciously provided them sustenance. Meanwhile, Dadhya meditated upon Mahadeva, Rudra—the lord of creatures, the glorious one. Through his meditation, the supreme soul, three-eyed, arose. The goddess then spoke, explaining, “These powerful ones urge me, desiring to eat. Otherwise, O Lord, they will forcibly consume me as well. Hear from me, O Lord of gods, the one food I declare for them.” Rudra, the beautiful and great lord, asked, “O Kalaratri, tell me, what is this food?” The goddess replied, “Let them especially touch or cover a man. Let others, when worshipped, seize a breach in the house of childbirth. In houses, fields, ponds, reservoirs, and gardens as well—entering their bodies, you will attain some satisfaction.” She described her own powers: in speed of mind, victory, expansion, fierce-eyed agitation, and destruction. She was fierce, great Kāli, Kālikā, destroyer of sin—holding a noose and staff, in a terrifying and dreadful form. She was Cāmuṇḍā, with flaming mouth, sharp teeth, and immense strength. The supreme goddess, pleased with the devotion and prayers, spoke kindly, “Choose a boon, O lord of gods, whatever is in your mind.” Rudra replied, “O goddess, be the bestower of boons to them, ever-present everywhere. Just as this, in threefold manner, O goddess, has been attained through devotion.” It was declared that whoever knows this threefold origin of the goddess indeed attains the boon. For example, when a king, deprived of his kingdom, observes the ninth day with purity and discipline, within a year he regains a kingdom free from obstacles. The goddess revealed her nature: “This is the supreme white creation, sattvic, established in Brahman. This here is the black, tamasic, fierce goddess, so proclaimed. For the sake of purpose, the one power became threefold. Freed from all sin, one attains the supreme liberation. He has no fear of fire, slaughter, serpents, thieves, or similar dangers.” Thus, the gods learned of the goddess's vast powers, her compassion, and her ability to grant boons and protection to those who worship her with devotion and understanding of her threefold nature.