The sage told:-
During olden times, because Indra was proud of his strength and prowess, his three worlds and share in the fire sacrifice were stolen by two asuras called Shumbha and Nishumbha.
(Shumbha and Nishmbha were the sons of Sage Kasyapa and Dhanu)

They took over the powers of Sun God and similarly that of moon god, Kubhera, the God of wealth and Yama, the God of death.

They took over the duties of wind god and fire god. Because of this devas were defeated and lost their kingdom

Thus having lost all their powers due to these great asuras, all devas thought of the goddess who cannot be defeated by anybody.

Devas thinking that the goddess has given a boon to them that she would destroy all their dangers if she is remembered, went to Himalayas who is the king of all mountains and started praising that Goddess who is Vishnumaya (Power of illusion of Vishnu)

Devas told:-
Salutations to the Goddess. Salutations to that great Goddess who is the consort of Shiva,Salutations to her who is nature and she who takes care of every thing. We are saluting her with veneration after controlling our mind.

Salutations to her who is angry like Rudra. Salutations to that Parvathy who is stable forever in looking after the worlds. Salutations to her who is the form of light, the form of moon and the form of stable happiness.

Salutations and salutations to her who does only good, who blesses all those salting her, who is greatly powerful and who is taking care of the world (Like Koorma who lifted the world). Salutations and salutations to her who is the Asura power, who is the power behind the kings and who is the wife of Shiva.

10. Durgayair durga parayai saraayai sarva karinyai,
Khaytyai thadaiva krushnayai dhoomayai sathatham nama.

Always salutations to her who can take over sorrow, who can take us to the other shore of sorrow, who is the cause behind everything, who is very famous, who is black in colour and who is of the colour of smoke.

We salute her who is beyond peace and anger and offer our salutations. Many salutations to her who is the basis of the entire universe, who is the power behind devas and who is action oriented.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who is soul power in all beings.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who is root power in action of all beings.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of intellect.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of sleep

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of hunger.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of shadow

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of inner strength

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of saving and storage

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of patience.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of oneness in many.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of shame.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of peace

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of understanding

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of light.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of wealth or god given assets.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of work

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of memory.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of mercy

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of happiness bore out of sufficiency.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of motherhood.

Salutations, salutations and salutations to that goddess who lives in all beings as power of delusion.

Salutations and salutations to that Goddess who is the inner power and soul behind organs performing daily actions, organs performing intellectual pursuits and is the source power behind the five elements viz. earth, water, air, fire and ether.

Salutations, salutations and salutations who as the form of micro power has spread all over the universe.

Let that goddess who brings good to us Who was praised in the olden times by gods like Brahma, Who is daily being served by Devendra for getting his works done, Who is being praised by us devas who are being troubled by Asuras, who is praised and remembered by us because devotion to her solves all our problems even when we are thinking about her and who is the reason for all good things in the world. Let destroy all our problems.

The sage told:
Hey king, that goddess Parvathy thus praised by the devas rose from the Himalaya mountain in front of them for taking bath in the river Ganges.

That pretty goddess Parvathy asked the devas, “whom are you praising in the Himalayas?” and the answer was told by Goddess Koushiki who rose from the body of Parvathy.
(Once Shiva called Parvathy as Kali (Black girl and Parvathy was upset by this went to the monastery of Gauthama did Thapas and remover her black part (Kali) and became white (Gauri))

These praises were done by all devas who were defeated by Nishumbha in war and who were scorned by Shumbha.

Because that Goddess rose from the body of Parvathy (Kosa) the entire world calls her Koushiki.

Once that Goddess left her body, that Goddess Parvathy assumed the black form of Goddess Kali and stayed in the Himalaya Mountain.
(The assumption is that the Goddess did not go to take bath in river Ganges but remained there in her black form. )

Afterwards Chanda and Munda who were the servants of Shumbha and Nishumbha Saw the Goddess in her very pretty form of Kalika.

She made Chanda and Munda inform their king, “Oh great king, in the Himalaya Mountains there exists a lady who makes the mountain glitter.”

Hey lord of all Asuras, so far no where in the universe has such a pretty lady has been seen. So it is necessary for you to know about her and also receive her.

Hey king of all asuras that jewel among ladies is very pretty and due to her glitter is dazzling all directions and so you have to see her.

Hey lord, it is well known that all the best among elephants, horses and other valuable things including jewels are shining in your house.

You took away from Indra the great elephant known as Iravatha, the wish-giving tree called parijatha and the great horse known as Uchaisrava.

That wonderful plane with swans which was a great wonder was brought by you and was parked in your courtyard.

From Lord Kubhera, the wealth called Maha padma (great lotus) was brought and the ocean gave you the garland of the non-fading lotus.

That umbrella belonging to Lord Varuna capable of giving golden showers and this queen of gems owned by Lord Brahma also are in your house.

Oh God, You confiscated from Lord Yama the power to cause death and the great rope weapon of Lord Varuna are in your brother’s house.

All the precious stones originating from the sea are in Nishumbha’s house and the God of fire presented to you those dresses cleaned by the fire.

Hey King of asuras, as told all the precious stones were brought for your sake, and how come this Ambika who is a jewel among ladies is not with you.

The sage told:-
Then Shumbasura hearing the words of Chanda and Munda, sent the great Asura called Sugreeva as an emissary to meet the Goddess.

Because of my orders you should tell her words as told by me and do actions which will make her come here speedily with love.

That emissary went to the most pretty mountain parts where that Goddess was living and spoke these most suitable sweet words.

Hey lady, Shumbha who is the lord of all the three worlds has sent me as an emissary and I have come near you.

Please hear the words of Lord Shumbha who cannot be even neared by all devas and who has defeated all devas.

All the three worlds are all and mine the devas obey my orders and I also eat the share in the fire sacrifices meant for them.

All the valuable precious stones of all the three worlds are with me and I have also taken that elephant on which Indra used to ride.

Uchaisravas, that great horse which was got from churning of the ocean of milk was offered to me by devas after they fell at my feet.

Hey glittering damsel, all the precious gems with devas, gandharwas and others are also with me.

Hey lady, I think that you are the greatest gem among ladies of this world and since we are the ones who enjoy all gems, you better be pleased to attain me.

Hey pretty damsel, because you have attained top position among pretty women, you either pray me or my brother.

By becoming my wife you attain incomparably great wealth and so think of this properly and become my wife.

Hearing the words of the emissary, that goddess who was Durga, who was the greatest Goddess and who was wearing the world for the sake of its good, told with a deceptive smile the following words.

The Goddess told:-
You have told the truth in this case and you have not exaggerated anything. Shumbha is the lord of the three worlds and so is Nishumbha.

The oath, which was taken because of ignorance for selecting a husband in my case, has become a problem. Please hear about it.

That man who will win me in war, he who will take away my pride and he who is equal to me in strength would become my husband.

So let either the great Asura Shumbha or Nishumbha come here and let them win over me speedily and marry me. Let there not be waste of time in this.

Hey Lady, you happen to be very proud because you should not tell like this to me. In all the three worlds which man can stand for war against Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Hey lady, All devas cannot stand for war before other Asuras and how can you who are alone and of the weaker sex fight?

Before these Rakshasas lead by Shumbha all devas lead by Indra were not able to face them. What about you who is a helpless girl?

You better come in front of them as told by me and not loose all your respect and be dragged by your hair before them.

It is true that Shumbha and Nishumbha are very strong, but what can be done now, as I had taken an oath without much thought.

After you go back, please tell Shumbha, whatever I have told without omitting any thing. Let that Shumbha decide whatever is appropriate.

This is the fifth chapter in Devi Mahatmya dealing with the discussion of Goddess with the emissary Occurring in the Savarnika period of Markandeya Purana.