Sumbha, the mighty king of the asuras, sent his messenger to the Devi with words steeped in pride and power. He declared, “The three worlds belong to me; all gods bow to my will. In every sacrifice, I alone receive the shares, each one separately. The finest jewels of the three worlds are under my control. Even the elephant-jewel, Airavata, the vehicle of Indra, has been seized by me. The horse-jewel Uccaiḥśravas, born from the churning of the milk ocean, was offered to me by the immortals themselves. All other precious beings among the gods, gandharvas, and serpents, O beautiful one, reside with me alone.” He continued, “O Devi, you are the jewel among women. Come to us, for we are the possessors of jewels. O you of restless glance, since you are indeed a jewel, choose either me or my younger brother Niśumbha, who possesses great prowess. If you accept me, you will gain incomparable and supreme sovereignty. Consider this carefully and accept my proposal.” Hearing these words, the blessed Devi Durga, who sustains the world, smiled deeply and replied, “What you have said is true; there is no falsehood in your words. Sumbha is indeed the lord of the three worlds, and Niśumbha is likewise. But how can a promise made here be broken? Listen, for you do not understand: a vow was made before. Whoever defeats me in battle, dispels my pride, and stands as my equal in the world—he shall become my husband. Let Sumbha or Niśumbha come here; having conquered me, why delay? Let him quickly take my hand.” The messenger, surprised by her resolve, retorted, “You are arrogant, O Devi. Tell me—who in the three worlds could stand against Sumbha and Niśumbha? Even all the gods and demons do not dare face them in battle. How, then, will you, a woman alone, prevail? All the gods, including Indra, have retreated from battle with Sumbha and his kind. How will you, a woman, go forth alone against them?” He urged, “Go to the side of Sumbha and Niśumbha, as I have told you. You will not go, shaken from your dignity by hair-pulling. Sumbha is powerful, and Niśumbha exceedingly mighty. What can I do? I made a promise before, without considering this. So go, as I have told you, and respectfully convey all this to the lord of the asuras. Let him act accordingly.” Hearing the Devi’s words, the messenger, filled with indignation, returned and reported everything in detail to Sumbha, king of the demons. Upon hearing this, Sumbha’s anger flared, and he addressed Dhūmralocana, the chief of the demons: “O Dhūmralocana, quickly go, surrounded by your own army, and bring that wicked woman here by force, dragging her by the hair if she resists. If anyone rises to protect her—immortal, yaksha, or gandharva—slay them.” Commanded thus, Dhumralochana set out swiftly, surrounded by thousands of asuras, advancing rapidly. He confronted the Devi, threatening, “If today, out of affection, you do not approach my master, then by force I will take you, your hair seized and you distressed.” The Devi replied calmly, “Sent by the lord of the daityas, powerful and accompanied by force, if you take me away by force, then what can I do to you?” Thus addressed, Dhumralochana rushed at her, but with a mere roar, Ambika reduced him to ashes. Then Ambika showered the enraged army of asuras with sharp arrows, spears, and axes. Her lion mount, shaking its mane in anger and roaring terrifyingly, leapt into the army. With his paws and mouth, he struck and killed many demons, tearing open bellies with his claws and severing heads with his blows. Some fell, their arms and heads cut off, while the lion drank the blood from the bellies of others. In a moment, Devi’s furious lion destroyed the entire army completely. When Sumbha heard that Dhumralochana had been slain by the Devi and his entire force annihilated by her lion, his lips quivered with rage. Furious, he ordered the two great demons, Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, “O Caṇḍa, O Muṇḍa, surrounded by your forces, go there and quickly bring her here. Seize her by the hair and bind her, or if you have any doubt in battle, let all the asuras kill her with every weapon. When that wicked one is slain, and the lion destroyed, quickly return, having bound and captured Ambikā.” Thus commanded, the daityas led by Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, armed and ready, advanced with their fourfold armies. There, atop a great golden peak of the king of mountains, they saw the Goddess, standing with a slight smile, above her lion. Seeing her radiant presence, they prepared to seize her, drawing bows and brandishing swords, while others stood close by, ready for battle.