The Goddess spoke to the assembled gods, recounting the forms she would take in ages to come, each one a response to the suffering of the worlds. She declared, “When the fierce Vaipracitta danavas arise, I will devour them, and my teeth will be stained red like the blossoms of the pomegranate. Then, throughout heaven and earth, gods and humans alike will praise me as Raktadantika, the Red-Toothed One. Again, when a terrible drought grips the world for a hundred years and water cannot be found, I shall be born—not from a womb, but by the praise of the sages dwelling on earth. With a hundred eyes I will look upon those holy ones, and people will know me as Shatakshi, the Hundred-Eyed. In that form, I will sustain the entire world, producing nourishing vegetables from my own body to feed all beings during the famine. Thus, I will become renowned as Shakambhari, the Bearer of Vegetables. In that very place, I will slay the mighty demon Durgama, and my name will become celebrated as Durga Devi. Once more, when I assume a terrifying form in the Himalayas, I will consume the rakshasas to protect the virtuous. Then, all the sages, bowing their heads in reverence, will praise me, and my name will be known as Bhima Devi, the Terrible Goddess. When the demon Aruna brings great distress to the three worlds, I will take the form of a countless swarm of bees. For the welfare of all beings, I will destroy that great demon, and at that time, everyone will praise me everywhere as Bhramari, the Bee-Goddess. Thus, whenever affliction arises, caused by demons, I will descend at that very place and bring about the destruction of the enemies.” The Goddess then assured her devotees: “Whoever, with a focused mind, praises me daily with these hymns, I will surely remove all their troubles, without doubt. Those who recount the destruction of Madhu and Kaitabha, the slaying of Mahishasura, and likewise the killing of Shumbha and Nishumbha, and those who, with single-minded devotion, praise my supreme glory on the eighth, fourteenth, or ninth day—no evil deed will touch them, nor will misfortune arise from past actions. They will not suffer poverty or separation from what they desire. No fear will come to them from enemies, nor from thieves, nor from rulers. They will not be endangered by weapons, fire, or floods. Therefore, my glory should be recited by my devotees and always heard with devotion, for it is the highest and greatest means of well-being. My glory dispels all obstacles, even those caused by great epidemics and the threefold calamities. Wherever this is properly recited daily in my temple, I will never abandon that place; my presence will be established there. At the offering of oblations, during worship, at fire rituals, and at great festivals, my entire story should be recited and heard. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, if offerings and worship have been performed for me, I accept them with delight, as well as any fire oblations that have been made. During autumn, when the great worship or the annual festival is performed, whoever listens to this account of my greatness with devotion will, by my grace, be freed from all afflictions and endowed with wealth and grain. There is no doubt of this. Hearing the stories of my origins and my valor in battle, a person becomes fearless. Enemies are destroyed, auspiciousness arises, and the families of those who listen to my greatness rejoice. In all rites for peace, in cases of distressing dreams, and in severe afflictions caused by planets, one should listen to my greatness. Afflictions subside, the harsh torments of planets are calmed, and for those who have seen bad dreams, good dreams will arise. For children afflicted by malevolent influences, peace is restored; and in cases of discord among people, supreme harmony is brought about. For those of wicked conduct, their strength is greatly diminished; and by merely reciting my story, demons, spirits, and ghouls are destroyed. With offerings of animals, flowers, precious substances, incense, the finest perfumes and lamps, with meals for Brahmins and golden vessels, day and night, one should perform sprinkling rites. And with various other enjoyments and gifts, as can be given each year, the satisfaction produced by hearing this noble account even once removes sins, grants health, and provides protection from all beings; the recitation of my birth story does this. When my deeds in battle, the destruction of wicked demons, are heard, fear caused by enemies does not arise in people. The hymns composed by you, by the Brahmarishis, as well as those by Brahma, grant auspicious paths. Whether in the forest or at its edge, surrounded by wildfire, encircled by robbers in a desolate place, seized by enemies, pursued by lions or tigers in the woods, by wild elephants, condemned by an angry king, or imprisoned; whether tossed by the wind, standing on a ship in the vast ocean, or when weapons fall in a fierce and dreadful battle—in all terrible afflictions, even when tormented by pain, if a person remembers my deeds, they are freed from distress. By my power, lions and other beasts, as well as enemies and robbers, flee from afar when my deeds are remembered. Having spoken thus, the Blessed Goddess Chandika, fierce in her valor, vanished there itself before the very eyes of the gods.