Mundaमुण्ड असुर

The Attack That Gives Chamunda Her Name

Munda and Chanda discover the radiant goddess on the Himalayan mountain. They urge Shumbha to make her part of his household, comparing her beauty to the divine treasures he already possesses. The king’s messenger asks her to marry Shumbha or his brother, but she answers that her husband must first defeat her in battle.

Shumbha initially sends Dhumralochana with an army. After that force is destroyed, he orders Munda and Chanda to go with fresh troops and bring the goddess back by force. The command allows them to kill her if they cannot capture her, extending the failed proposal into an armed attempt at seizure.

Their army reaches the goddess seated on her lion. Some warriors try to seize her while others advance with drawn weapons. In anger, Kali issues from Ambika’s forehead with sword, noose and skull-topped staff. She kills the soldiers and consumes their weapons and vehicles. Munda attacks her with arrows and a multitude of discuses.

Kali kills Chanda first, seizing his hair and beheading him. Munda rushes at her when he sees Chanda fall, and Kali cuts him down with her sword. The surviving soldiers flee. Kali carries the defeated pair to Chandika, who declares that she will be known as Chamunda because she has brought Chanda and Munda.