Mahishasur's Rise and the Birth of the Devi

In the second adhyay, the sage Medha says that long ago there was a king of the asuras named Mahishasur. He fought the gods for a hundred years. In the end the gods lost, and Mahishasur took Indra's throne. He seized the powers of Surya, Agni, Vayu and Varun. The gods left heaven and wandered on earth.

Sorrowful, the gods went with Brahma to Lord Shiv and Lord Vishnu and told them everything. Hearing this, Vishnu and Shiv grew angry. A great radiance came forth from their faces. Light also came out of Brahma, Indra and all the gods, and it joined that radiance.

All that light gathered in one place and blazed like a mountain, its flames filling every direction. Then the light took the form of a woman: this was the Devi. Shiv's light became her face, Vishnu's light her arms, and every god's light became some part of her.

Then the gods gave the Devi their weapons and gifts. Shiv gave a trident, Vishnu a discus, Varun a conch, Agni a spear, Vayu a bow and arrows, and Indra his thunderbolt and the bell of his elephant Airavat. The Himalaya gave her a lion to ride. The ocean gave her a necklace and garments that never fade.

Adorned and armed, the Devi let out a mighty roar of laughter. It echoed across the sky, the earth shook and the oceans stirred. The gods cheered and sang her victory. Hearing the noise, Mahishasur came rushing with his huge army.

Mahishasur's generals, Chikshura, Chamara and many other great asuras, came to fight with thousands of chariots, elephants and horses. The Devi alone cut down their weapons. From her breath came hundreds of thousands of attendants who fought beside her. Her lion fought bravely too, and the asura army fell apart.