Deaths of Dhumralochana, Chanda, Munda and Raktabija

The rishi said

There were the asura Shumbha and the powerful daitya Nishumbha, two energetic brothers who assaulted the three worlds and all that moves and stands. Suffering from them, the gods went to the Himalayas and worshipped the mother of all beings, the giver of wishes. The gods said: Durga, Maheshani, victory to you, you who are loved by your kin; victory to you, Shivaa, cause of protection in the three worlds; we bow to you. We bow to the giver of liberation, to supreme Amba, to the cause of the creation, preservation and destruction of the whole world. We bow to her who takes the form of Kalika, of Tara, of Chhinnamasta; to Shrividya, to Bhuvaneshi, to her in the form of Bhairavi, to Bagalamukhi, to Dhumavati, to Tripurasundari, to Matangi, to Ajita and Vijaya, to Jaya, Mangala and Vilasini, to her form as the milker, to her terrible form, in mind to her form as Aparajita and as Nitya. You protect those who take refuge; we bow to you. Rudrani, we bow to you who can be known through Vedanta, who are the supreme self and leader of countless universes. Praised so by the gods, Gouri Shivaa, giver of boons, was pleased and asked the gods who was praising her. Then Kumarika appeared from Gouri's body and, as they watched, spoke to Shiva's Shakti with great affection: mother, all the heaven-dwellers have composed this hymn for me; they are suffering from the two powerful daityas Shumbha and Nishumbha. Since the destroyer of the asura Shumbha came directly from the sheaths of her body, she is praised as Koushiki, and is also called Ugratarika and Mahogratarika. From the way she appeared she is known on earth as Matangi. She told all the gods to stay and not be afraid: she would accomplish their task, being independent and needing no support. Saying so, Devi vanished.

The two servants Chanda and Munda saw her and her beautiful form, a delight to the eyes. They lost their senses and, deluded, fell to the ground. When they recovered they went and told the king everything: king, we have never seen such a beautiful woman. She is on the lovely Himalayan slopes, mounted on a lion, served by all the daughters of the gods with joined hands. Some massage her feet, some tend her hair, some wash her hands, some put collyrium on her eyes. One holds a mirror and shows her reflection, another gives her betel scented with cloves and cardamom, another stands happily clasping her feet, another dresses her in ornaments, another in garments. Her thighs are like plantain trunks, her nose like a parrot's, her arms like snakes or creepers. Her anklets jingle and she wears a lovely girdle, a pearl necklace hangs on her breasts, fragrant with musk and exciting desire. A mass of curls adorns her neck. Devi wears a half-moon ornament and gem-studded earrings; her hair is beautifully braided and she has three large eyes. She wears an unfading garland and bright bangles on her hands and golden, dazzling rings on her fingers. Gouri is clad in white and seated on a lotus. Her tilaka is drawn with saffron and the moon adorns her forehead. Her radiance is like lightning and her high breasts are covered in a very costly chest-band. Eight raised hands hold excellent weapons. No woman as beautiful as she exists among asuras, nagas, gandharvas, danavas or anywhere in the three worlds. It is fitting that one as worthy as you should enjoy such a one. Lord, all the women who are jewels have become jewels in your inner quarters. The great asura heard Chanda and Munda.

He sent a messenger named Sugriva to her: messenger, go to the snow-covered mountain where the beautiful lady is, say my words to her and try to bring her here. So commanded, Sugriva, supreme among danavas, went to the Himalayas and spoke to Maheshvari Jagadamba: Devi, the daitya Shumbhasura and his younger brother Nishumbha are famous in the three worlds for great strength and valour, and he has sent me as messenger to you. Lady of the gods, hear his words: "I have beaten Indra and the others in battle and taken their jewels. When gods and others are given shares in sacrifices I myself enjoy the gods' shares. I think you are a jewel among women, set above all other jewels, so choose me or my younger brother and enjoy the joy of love." So she heard Shumbha's words through the messenger. Mahamaya, loved by Bhutesha like his own life, answered: messenger, you have spoken truly and nothing false, but I took a pledge earlier. Hear it: I will accept as husband whoever defeats me in battle and breaks my insolence, and no other; this is certain. Go and repeat my words to Shumbha and Nishumbha, and let him decide what is fitting. Hearing Devi, the danava Sugriva returned quickly and told the king in detail.

Hearing the messenger, Shumbha, terrible in his rule, grew angry and said to Dhumraksha, the supreme and powerful commander: Dhumraksha, there is some beautiful woman on the snow-covered mountain; go quickly and bring her here, best of asuras. You need not fear this task, and if she wants to fight, fight. The daitya called Dhumralochana, so addressed, went to the Himalayas and said to Bhuvaneshi, who was Uma's portion: go to my master or I will have to kill you, fair-hipped one; I have sixty thousand asuras with me. Devi answered: brave one, you have been sent by the daitya king; if you kill me what can I do? But I think I cannot go without fighting first. So addressed, the danava Dhumralochana rushed at her, but Maheshvari burned him down with a humkara. Since then Devi has been known on earth as Dhumavati, and when her devotees worship her so she destroys hosts of enemies. When Dhumraksha was killed her angry mount chewed up the whole host of his followers, and the rest fled. Hearing that the daitya was killed by Devi, powerful Shumbha grew furious and bit his lips. One after another he sent the asuras Chanda, Munda and Raktabija. So commanded, the daityas went to where Ambika was, mounted on the lion, with anima and the other powers. The bulls among danavas saw her radiant form lighting the directions and said: Devi, make your way to Shumbha and Nishumbha, or we will kill you, your ganas and your mount. Fair lady, choose as husband the one whom the guardians of the worlds praise, and you will gain a great joy very rare even for gods. So addressed, Parameshvari Amba smiled and spoke truthful words full of jest: Mahesha Sadashiva is without a second. He is the supreme brahman; even the Vedas do not know his nature, let alone Vishnu and the others. I am his subtle Prakriti, so how can I accept anyone else as husband? Even full of desire a lioness never chooses a jackal, a female elephant does not choose an ass, nor a leopardess a hare. Daityas, your words are futile; the serpent of death is controlling you. Go to Patala, or if you have the capacity, fight. Hearing words that angered them, they talked among themselves: our minds know you are a woman, so we will not kill you, but if you still wish to fight be ready with your lion. As they talked the clash began. Both sides rained showers of sharp arrows. Though Parameshvari fought them she was playing with them and killed Chanda, Munda and the great asura Raktabija. Their minds had been full of enmity toward the gods, yet at the end they gained a world only her followers reach.