The "Pranatoshini Tantra" (18th century) narrates two tales of Chhinnamasta's birth. One legend, attributed to the "Narada-pancharatra", tells how once, while bathing in Mandakini river, Parvati becomes excited, and turns black. At the same time, her two female attendants Dakini and Varnini (also called Jaya and Vijaya) become extremely hungry and beg for food. Though Parvati initially promises to give them food once they return home, the merciful goddess beheads herself with her nails and gives her blood to satisfy their hunger. Later, they return home after Parvati rejoins her head.