In reverence, the gods offered salutations again and again to the Goddess, recognizing her divine presence within all beings in various forms. They honored her as the embodiment of modesty, saluting her repeatedly, acknowledging how she dwells in every creature as a gentle restraint. They praised her as the essence of peace, the source of tranquility in all hearts. They saluted her as the faith that inspires trust and devotion, as the beauty that graces every form, and as the prosperity that brings abundance to all. Their praises continued, recognizing her as fortitude—the strength to endure—sustenance, the nourishment that supports life, and memory, the power by which all beings recall and learn. The gods honored her as compassion, the tender care that heals, and as righteousness, the guiding force of virtue. She was saluted as contentment, the satisfaction found within, as nourishment, the very food and drink that sustains, and as mother, the nurturing presence in all. They even acknowledged her as delusion, the mysterious veil that confounds, and offered salutations to the Goddess who presides over the senses and pervades all beings, ever-present as the power of pervasion. As consciousness itself, she fills and dwells throughout the universe, and the gods prayed that this sovereign Goddess, once praised by the gods for their own refuge and served by the lord of demons in ages past, might grant them auspiciousness, welfare, and freedom from misfortune. The gods, afflicted by the arrogance of the present demons, worshipped her as their sovereign. They knew that when remembered, the Goddess destroys calamities, appearing in forms shaped by devotion. As the gods were engaged in such praise, Parvati, the delight of kings, approached them at the waters of the Jahnavi, coming to their aid. This fair-browed Goddess asked the gods, "Who is being praised here by you?" From her own bodily sheath, Shiva-born, replied, "This hymn is being composed by the gods, gathered in battle, after Shumbha was driven away and Nishumbha defeated." From Parvati’s bodily sheath emerged Ambika, and so, in all worlds, she is known as Kaushiki. When Ambika departed from Parvati, Parvati herself became dark, known as Kali, dwelling on the Himalayas. At this time, Chanda and Munda, attendants of Shumbha and Nishumbha, beheld Ambika in her supremely beautiful form. They hurried to report to Shumbha, saying, "O great king, there is a woman residing on the Himalaya, exceedingly beautiful and shining brightly. Nowhere has such a supreme form ever been seen by anyone. Let it be known who this Goddess is, and let her be seized, O lord of the asuras. She is a jewel among women, exceedingly lovely, radiating brilliance in all directions. She stands there, O lord of the Daityas; you ought to behold her." They reminded Shumbha of his vast treasures: "All the jewels, gems, elephants, horses, and such throughout the three worlds now shine in your house. Airavata, the jewel among elephants, has been brought from Purandara; likewise, the Pārijāta tree and the high-stepping horse Uccaiḥśravas. This aerial chariot, yoked with swans, stands in your courtyard, once the wondrous creation of Brahmā, now yours. The great treasure Mahāpadma has been brought from the lord of wealth, and the ocean has given a garland of unfading lotus flowers. Varuṇa’s golden umbrella streams with radiance in your house, and the foremost chariot of Prajāpati is yours. The power called Utkrāntidā, which brings about death, has been taken by you, and the noose of the Lord of Waters, your brother, is in your possession. All jewels born from the ocean, belonging to Nishumbha, are yours; even fire has offered you garments purified by flame. Thus, O lord of the Daityas, all jewels are yours—yet why do you not take this jewel among women, this auspicious lady?" Hearing these words, Shumbha, the great Asura, sent Sugrīva, his messenger, through Chanda and Munda, to the Goddess. He instructed, "Go and say this and this to her on my behalf; and as she responds with favor, so you must act quickly." Sugrīva went to the splendid mountain region where the Goddess resided and addressed her with gentle, sweet words: "O Goddess, Shumbha, lord of the demons, is the supreme ruler of the three worlds; I am his messenger, sent here to you. He whose commands are never obstructed among all the divine beings, who has conquered all the enemies of the demons—listen to what he says.