The wise, versed in the art of policy, declared among the gods: “Enemies are never to be trusted or befriended. They are not to be confided in, nor made partners in counsel, but wholly distrusted and hated.” With this resolve, the gods agreed that nectar—the very essence of immortality—must not be given to their foes, the Daityas. “If these Daityas, our enemies, gain immortality,” they reasoned, “we shall never be able to defeat them. Therefore, the nectar must not be shared with them.” After much deliberation, the gods approached their revered preceptor, Brihaspati. They asked him, “Where shall we go? Where should the sacred ritual be performed? Where shall we drink the nectar, and where shall we stay? O Brihaspati, guide us truly.” Brihaspati counseled, “Let the immortals go to Brahma, for he is the knower, the speaker, the giver, and the grandsire. He alone can reveal the supreme path.” Heeding Brihaspati’s words, all the gods came before Brahma. They bowed in reverence and reported all that had transpired. At their request, Brahma himself went with the gods to Hari, the great Vishnu, and to Shambhu, the destroyer of poison. Everything was revealed to Vishnu and Shambhu. Together—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shambhu—along with the hosts of gods, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras, journeyed in secret to a cave on Mount Meru. The demons remained unaware of this gathering. There, Hari was appointed as their protector, and the gods prepared to partake of the sacred Soma. Among them, Aditya alone was deemed worthy to drink the Soma, while the rest abstained. Soma, the divine nectar, was offered to the givers, and Vishnu, the wielder of the discus, stood guard. The Daityas, Danavas, and Rakshasas remained oblivious to these happenings. Yet Rahu, the wise son of Simhika, assumed the form of a god and mingled among the Maruts to seize a share of the Soma. Disguised as a Marut and holding a drinking vessel, Rahu was recognized by the Sun, who promptly alerted Soma to the deception. Nevertheless, Soma poured nectar for Rahu, who had taken the guise of a god, and then reported the matter to Vishnu. Swiftly, Vishnu raised his discus and severed the head of the Daitya who had tasted the nectar. But, O child, because Rahu had drunk the nectar, his head became immortal. The headless body fell to the earth, landing on the southern bank, still touched by the power of the nectar. The earth quaked near the Gautami as the wondrously immortal body struck the ground. The body yearned for its lost head, and the head longed for reunion with the body; both, now immortal, gave Rahu extraordinary power. When the head and body sought to unite, Rahu began to devour the gods. Alarmed, all the gods gathered and approached Shankara, praying, “O best of gods, destroy the Daitya’s body lying on the earth! You are the ocean of compassion, the protector of those who seek refuge. Do this, lest the Daitya’s body and head be joined.” Then the Lord released his supreme power—the goddess, his very essence—accompanied by the Mothers, protectresses of the worlds. The goddess, bearing the Lord’s weapon and endowed with his might, went to where the body lay, intent on consuming it. The gods comforted her and left only the head on Mount Meru; the goddess’s body remained there, and she battled for many years. Amidst this, Rahu addressed the gods: “My body, once pierced, still holds the finest essence. Let that supreme nectar be drawn out from it. If the nectar is removed, the body will instantly be reduced to ashes. This must be done first.” Hearing Rahu’s words, the gods—enemies of the demons—were pleased. They anointed Rahu, declaring, “You shall become the planet among planets, filled with joy.” By the gods’ command, the goddess power—called Īśvarī—pierced the demon lord’s body, drawing upon the strength of all the gods. Swiftly, Ambika extracted the supreme nectar and placed it outside the body, then began to devour the remains. She who is known as Kālarātrī and Bhadrakālī, of great might, placed the supreme essence—the best of all essences—there. That essence, thus set, flowed forth and became a river; the nectar, drawn out and placed there, was not consumed by the goddess. From this, the supreme and auspicious river Amṛtā arose, born from Rahu’s body and endowed with Rudra’s power. The beautiful, divine river Amṛtā began to flow, and there appeared five thousand holy places of great merit. Shambhu himself stood there, ever worshipped by all the gods. The gods, pleased, offered worship to both the goddess and the river separately. With joyful hearts, they granted the goddess boons: “As Shambhu, lord of the gods, is worshipped in the world, so too shall you be worshipped. O goddess, dwell here for the good of the worlds; remain always, O mistress of the essence, bestower of all accomplishments.” They praised her, declaring, “By praise, by recitation, by meditation, you grant all desires. Those who worship you with devotion, seeking anything, always bow to you. All their undertakings succeed by your command, for here is the eternal abode of Śiva and Śakti.” For this reason, the sages named that place the City of Abode. There, in ancient times, the delighted gods granted boons to the supreme goddess. At the confluence of the Gaṅgā, renowned and beloved of the gods, whoever bathes there attains either enjoyment or liberation. Whatever is desired in the heart—even those things difficult for the gods to obtain—can be attained here. Having so blessed the place and the goddess, the gods took their leave, their hearts content.