The Slaying of Dhumralochana
Maharishi Medha said – After hearing the Goddess’s reply, the messenger returned to Shumbha in a rage and told him everything that had happened. Shumbha was furious. He immediately summoned his commander Dhumralochana and ordered him, “Go there at once with your army. Seize that woman by the hair and drag Her here. If anyone tries to protect Her — whether a Deva, Yaksha or Gandharva — kill them as well.”
Maharishi Medha said – Following Shumbha’s command, Dhumralochana set out with an army of sixty thousand Asuras. When he reached the Goddess, he called out, “Come with me to Shumbha and Nishumbha at once. If you refuse to come willingly, I will seize you by the hair and drag you there by force.”
The Goddess replied, “You are a powerful commander sent by the Asura king. If you intend to take Me by force, then what can I do?”
Maharishi Medha said – Enraged by Her words, Dhumralochana charged towards Her. But the Goddess let out a single mighty Hunkar, and in an instant he was reduced to ashes.
Seeing their commander destroyed, the Asura army rushed towards the Goddess in fury. Ambika met them with a storm of sharp arrows, Shakti weapons and axes.
At the same moment, the Goddess’s lion shook its mane, roared fiercely and leapt straight into the Asura ranks. It tore some apart with its claws, crushed others in its powerful jaws and hurled many to the ground before finishing them with its fangs. Some had their bodies ripped open by its claws, while others were struck with such force that their heads were separated from their bodies.
The lion tore through the Asura army with astonishing speed, breaking arms, crushing heads and bringing down one warrior after another. Within moments, the entire force that had accompanied Dhumralochana was destroyed.
When Shumbha heard that Dhumralochana had been slain by the Goddess and that Her lion had wiped out his entire army, his anger grew even greater. His lips trembled with rage as he summoned the mighty Asuras Chanda and Munda.
He commanded them, “Chanda! Munda! Take a large army and go there immediately. Seize the Goddess by the hair, bind Her and bring Her before Me. If capturing Her proves difficult, then fight Her with your full strength and kill Her. Destroy Her lion as well, and bring Her here under your control.”