O King, hear now the wondrous story of the Goddess, as sung by the wise and praised by the gods themselves. She is the very essence of sacred sound, the pure refuge for those who offer oblations, and the delight of those who sing the melodious Sāman hymns. She is the threefold Veda, the blessed Mother who brings forth the world and the supreme destroyer of all suffering. The Goddess is wisdom itself, the distilled essence of all the scriptures. She is Durgā, the boat that carries beings safely across the difficult ocean of existence. She is Śrī, dwelling alone in the heart of the slayer of Kaitabha, and Gaurī, established by the moon-crested Lord. When the demon Mahiṣāsura suddenly beheld her face—slightly smiling, pure, radiant like the full moon, shining with the finest golden brilliance, both wondrous and fierce in its wrath—he was struck with awe. It is truly astonishing, for when he saw her face, terrible with furrowed brows and yet radiant like the rising moon, he did not at once give up his life; for who, indeed, can endure the sight of death itself, enraged? O Supreme Goddess, be gracious! In your wrath, for the sake of the world, you instantly destroy entire lineages. It is now clear that the immense power of Mahiṣāsura has come to an end. Blessed are those in whose lands you are honored, for they possess wealth and fame, and their paths of righteousness never falter. Their children, servants, and spouses are secure, for you, when pleased, always grant prosperity. The virtuous one, ever devoted and performing all righteous deeds daily, attains heaven by your grace, and you bestow rewards in all three worlds. O Durgā, when remembered, you remove the fear of all beings; when remembered by the healthy, you grant supreme auspiciousness. Who but you, O destroyer of poverty, sorrow, and fear, is ever compassionate, intent on helping all? With these wicked ones slain, the world is happy. As for the others who persist in evil, you send them to hell for a long time, and by destroying them in battle, you grant them heaven. Why do you not simply reduce all demons to ashes with a glance? Yet, you send forth your weapons so that, purified by arms, even your enemies may reach the higher worlds—such is your noble intention toward all. The dazzling flashes of your sword and the fierce brilliance of your spear’s tip were more than the asuras could bear; gazing upon your face, fit to be adorned with the crescent moon, their very eyes were dissolved. O Goddess, your nature is to subdue the wicked; your form is wondrous, beyond thought, and unmatched. Your valor in destroying the might of the gods’ enemies is unequalled, and even toward your foes, your compassion shines forth. How can your valor be measured? Where is another form that dispels the fear of enemies as yours does? Only in you, O Bestower of Boons, is both compassion in the heart and fierceness in battle found, even among all three worlds. Through you, O Goddess, the entire universe has been protected by the destruction of enemies; our fear, born of the arrogance of the asuras, has been dispelled. We bow to you. Protect us, O Goddess, with your spear; protect us, O Ambika, with your sword. Guard us with the ringing of your bell and the twang of your bowstring. Guard us in the east and in the west, O Chandika; protect us in the south, and by the whirling of your spear, protect us in the north as well. With your gentle forms that move throughout the three worlds, and with your exceedingly terrifying ones, protect us and the earth. O Mother, with your sword, spear, mace, and other weapons held in your tender hands, protect us on all sides. Thus, the gods praised her with divine flowers from Nandana and worshipped her with fragrant ointments. All the immortals, filled with devotion, offered her divine incense. The gracious-faced Goddess, pleased with their reverence, addressed the gods who had bowed to her: “Let all the gods declare whatever boon they desire from me. Being greatly pleased and well-honored by these hymns, I will grant it.” The gods replied, “We know of nothing else to be done, nor anything difficult to accomplish. By you, O Goddess, everything has been accomplished; nothing remains undone, for our enemy, Mahishasura, has been slain. If you would grant us a boon, O Great Goddess, let it be that whenever we remember you, you will protect us from the greatest dangers. And whoever among mortals praises you with these hymns, O stainless-faced one, may you, O Mother, always be pleased to grant him increase in wealth, prosperity, riches, wives, and all kinds of blessings.” Thus propitiated by the gods for the sake of the world and themselves, Bhadrakali replied, “So be it,” and vanished, O King. Thus has it been told, O King, how the Goddess arose long ago from the bodies of the gods, desiring the welfare of the three worlds, and again, how she emerged from the body of Gaurī for the destruction of wicked demons, and of Shumbha and Nishumbha. For the protection of the worlds and as a benefactor of the gods, listen now as I recount to you, just as it happened. Long ago, by the power of their strength, the two demons Shumbha and Nishumbha took away the three worlds and the shares of sacrifices from Indra, lord of Shachi. They themselves assumed the positions of the sun, moon, Kubera, Yama, and Varuna, just as those deities had held. They also took over the roles of the wind and the ocean, as well as the duties of fire; all other positions, they themselves occupied. The gods were cast out, deprived of their kingdoms, and defeated. All the gods, stripped of their authority by those two great demons, remembered that unconquered Goddess, recalling her boon: “Whenever you remember me in times of distress, I will instantly destroy your utmost calamities.” Thus resolved, the gods went to Himavat, lord of mountains, and there they praised the Goddess, the power of Vishnu. They offered salutations to the Goddess, the Great Goddess, Shiva’s consort—unceasing salutations; to Prakriti, the auspicious one, the foundation of the world, the doer; to the fierce one, the eternal one, the fair one, the supporter. They bowed again and again to her who is radiant, who has the form of the moon, who is blissful, who increases the fortune of those who bow, who accomplishes all. They saluted Nairriti, the fortune of the lords of earth, Sharvani, Durga who carries across difficulties, the essence, the doer of all, Khyati, Krishna, and Dhumra—unceasing salutations. To her who is exceedingly gentle and exceedingly fierce, to her who is bowed to, to the mind, the foundation of the world, the Goddess, the doer—they offered salutations again and again. Thus the gods praised her, seeking her grace, as the story unfolds.