Dhumralochanaधूम्रलोचन

A Failed Attempt to Take the Goddess

When the messenger returns, Shumbha angrily orders Dhumralochana to bring the goddess by force. Anyone who attempts to rescue her is to be killed, even a god or another celestial being. Dhumralochana approaches the snowy mountain with sixty thousand Asuras and repeats the threat that she will be dragged away by her hair.

The goddess answers him, and Dhumralochana charges. Her roar immediately burns him to ashes. His soldiers attack with arrows, javelins and axes, but the lion carrying the goddess falls upon them and destroys their force. Shumbha responds to the defeat by sending Chanda and Munda with another army.

The Devi Bhagavata gives the encounter a longer battle sequence. Dhumralochana trades threats with Kalika and shoots arrows at her. She destroys his asses and chariot, and he takes a second vehicle. After this is destroyed too, he approaches with a heavy parigha, an iron striking weapon. As he prepares to throw it, the goddess burns him to ashes with her shout.

In that telling, surviving soldiers retreat and report the disaster to Shumbha and Nishumbha. They describe the goddess’s strength and advise deliberation rather than confidence in an easy victory. Shumbha nevertheless sends Chanda and Munda next, continuing the campaign after Dhumralochana’s failure.