[3] The story of Mahagauri's origins is as follows: The demons Shumbha and Nishumbha could only be killed by a virgin, unmarried form of Parvati.

Brahma explained his inability to grant her a boon and instead requested her to stop her penance and slay the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.

[4] Parvati entered in the Ganga river and as she took a bath, her dark skin washed off entirely and she came back out as a beautiful golden woman, wearing white garments and apparels, so she gained the epithet "Mahagauri".

[5] She then appeared in front of the gods who were praying to her at the Himalayas for the destruction of Shumbha and Nishumbha, and worriedly asked them who they were worshipping.

She then reflected and answered her own question and concluded that the gods were praying to her after being defeated by the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.