Upon seeing the death of his brother, Shumbha went after Parvati in a rage, but was ultimately cleaved in two by the Goddess' trident. Nisumbha was the first to fall, after assaulting Parvati's lion. Although Brahma's boon had granted the brothers protection against men and demons, no such protection existed against goddesses. 1740, colour on paper, 22 × 33 cm, Cleveland Museum of Art.Īfter these encounters, Sumbha and Nisumbha had no choice but to meet Parvati in direct combat. Finally Raktabīja was sent, but was slain by Goddess Kali.Ī Pahari depiction of Kali (sometimes described as a form of Parvati) attacking Nisumbha with her trident: Kali Attacking Nisumbha c. Parvati got the epithet Chamunda from destroying Chanda and Munda. Next, Chanda and Munda were deployed, then Parvati destroyed them. First the demon Dhumralochana and his army of sixty-thousand Asuras were sent to abduct Parvati, but she took the form of Durga and managed to slay the entire army. It was then decided by the demonic brothers that if Parvati would not come willingly, they would have to abduct her. Shumbha sent the demon Sugriva (asura) to court Parvati, but she rejected his advances. They carried reports of this goddess to Shumbha, who sought to possess Parvati and her beauty. It was at this time that Chanda and Munda, two lesser Asuras in the service of Shumbha, encountered Parvati, and were overwhelmed by her beauty.
God Brahma saw the brothers' penance, and was pleased, granting them the boon they requested. Sumbha and Nisumbha traveled to Pushkara, a sacred place, and remained there in prayer for ten thousand years.
Parvati relates how two brothers of Asura stock sought to conquer the Three Worlds by subjecting themselves to severe penance and purification rituals so that no man or demon could destroy them. The story of Sumbha and Nisumbha begins in the fifth chapter of the Devi Mahatmyam.
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