From the combined radiance of all the gods, a wondrous and formidable Goddess came into being. Śiva’s brilliance shaped her luminous face, while the abundant tresses of her hair arose from Yama’s energy. Her many powerful arms were born of Viṣṇu’s radiance. The energies of Soma and Indra formed her two breasts and her midsection, while the shining thighs and hips took shape from Varuṇa’s light. Her feet were crafted from Brahmā’s energy, her toes from the Sun’s brilliance, and her fingers from the power of the Vasus; Kubera’s might gave form to her nose. Prajāpati’s radiance became her gleaming teeth, and her three eyes shone forth from the fire’s unfathomable glow. The twilight’s energy arched her eyebrows, the wind’s force became her ears, and the brilliance of various other gods adorned her with many auspicious features. When the gods, oppressed by Mahiṣa, beheld this Goddess—her form woven from their gathered radiance—they were filled with joy and hope. Eager for her victory, each god presented her with his own weapon, their voices resounding with cries of “Victory, victory!” Śiva drew forth his trident and offered it to her; Kṛṣṇa produced his discus and placed it in her hand. Varuṇa gave her a conch shell, Agni bestowed a spear, and the Maruts presented her with a bow and a quiver brimming with arrows. Indra, lord of the immortals, gave her his thunderbolt, and from his elephant Airāvata, a mighty bell. Yama presented his staff of punishment, Varuṇa his noose, Prajāpati a rosary, and Brahmā a water-pot. The Sun infused his rays into each of her pores, Kāla gave her a spotless sword and flawless shield. From the ocean of milk, she received a pure necklace, garments that would never fade, a divine crest-jewel, earrings, and armlets. She was adorned with a crescent moon, bracelets for all her arms, flawless anklets, an incomparable necklace, and jeweled rings for every finger. Viśvakarmā, the celestial architect, gave her a pure axe, many kinds of weapons, and an unbreakable shield. The lord of waters crowned her with an unfading lotus garland for her head and another for her chest, as well as a most beautiful lotus. Himavat, lord of the mountains, gave her a fierce lion to ride and an array of precious gems. The lord of wealth, Kubera, gifted her a drinking cup that was ever full of divine liquor. Śeṣa, the serpent who upholds the earth, adorned her with a serpent-necklace set with great jewels. All the other gods honored her as well, offering ornaments and weapons. The Goddess laughed aloud, again and again—a resounding, mocking laughter that echoed through the heavens. Her terrible roar filled the sky, and from that immense, unrestrained sound, a great echo arose. The worlds trembled; the oceans heaved; the earth quaked; and even the mountains shook. The gods, overcome with joy, cried out “Victory!” to her who rode the lion, while the sages bowed low in devotion and sang her praises. The enemies of the gods, seeing the three worlds agitated, rose up fully armed, their armies assembled for war. Mahishasura, filled with anger, exclaimed, “Ah! What is this?” and, surrounded by all the asuras, rushed toward the source of that mighty sound. There, Mahishasura beheld the Goddess, her radiance pervading the three worlds. The earth bowed beneath her tread, and her crown touched the sky. The thunderous twang of her bowstring shook the nether realms, and she stood with a thousand arms extended in all directions, filling the horizons. Then the great battle began between the Goddess and the enemies of the gods. Countless weapons and missiles flashed, illuminating the heavens. The demon Cikṣura, commander of Mahishasura’s army, fought alongside Camara and others, leading troops of four divisions. The mighty Udagra fought with sixty thousand chariots, and Mahāhanu engaged with a thousand companies of ten thousand warriors each. Asiloma, a great demon, entered the fray with fifty million troops, while Vāṣkala fought with six hundred thousand units of ten thousand. The field was filled with thousands of elephants and horses, many fierce in aspect, and a crore of chariots. Biḍālākṣa fought, surrounded by fifty thousand chariots and as many warriors, and Kāla was encircled by another fifty thousand chariots. Other great asuras, with tens of thousands of chariots, elephants, and horses, joined the battle against the Goddess. Mahishasura himself was at the center, surrounded by countless thousands of chariots, elephants, and horses. The asuras hurled spears, clubs, javelins, swords, axes, and pattiśas at the Goddess. Some threw nooses, others struck with swords, all seeking to slay her. But the Goddess Chandika, effortlessly and playfully, cut down their weapons and missiles, showering her own superior arms in return. Unwearied and serene, her face calm, she released her weapons and missiles upon the asuras, as the gods and seers praised her. Her lion-mount, enraged, shook his mane and swept through the asura armies like a blazing fire consuming a forest, scattering terror and destruction among the foes.