O illustrious sage, you are urged to go to Śaṃbhu, the great Lord worshipped by all three worlds, and inform him of the fear that has arisen from the demon Tāraka. Yet, it is not proper to intrude upon a place where husband and wife are alone together; this is a rule even among ordinary people, and how much more so for the mighty wielder of the trident, Śaṃbhu himself. If anyone listens to the private words of a passionate couple, such a person finds no deliverance from hell. Śaṃbhu is the lord of all worlds, the great Kāla, bearer of the trident—who could possibly observe him while he dwells in privacy with Bhavānī? But when great danger arises, what rule can truly bind us? Since fear has come from Tāraka, you must go—you must become Tāraka. When an ocean of fear threatens the good, one’s life should be given for the sake of others; go, take another form or speak as is fitting. After conveying the words of the gods, return quickly to Śaṃbhu, and then, O sage, we shall offer worship in both worlds. Thus, by the command of the gods, Dhūtaśana became a parrot and swiftly went to where the Lord of the worlds was enjoying himself with Umā. In the form of a parrot, the fire-god, Havyavāhana, approached in fear, but could not enter through the doorway. So he stood at the window, bowing his head and trembling. Seeing him, Śaṃbhu laughed and spoke to Umā in private: “Look, O goddess, a parrot has come—Dhūtaśana, sent by the command of the gods.” Ashamed, Pārvatī said to the god, “Enough, O Lord.” Then the Lord of the gods addressed Agni, who had taken the form of a twice-born. Calling him repeatedly, he recognized Agni and said, “Do not speak here; open your mouth, receive this, and carry it away.” Having said this, Śaṃbhu cast his seed into Agni’s mouth. Filled with the seed, Agni was then unable to depart. Weary, Agni approached the bank of the celestial river. By casting that seed into the Kṛttikās, Kārttikeya was born. Whatever remained of Śaṃbhu’s seed in Agni’s body, Agni cast into his own wife in two parts. Into Svāhā, who was dear to him and especially desirous of a son, he placed it; she was comforted by him, and your lineage will arise from her. Then, recalling this, Agni cast Śaṃbhu’s great energy, and from Agni’s seed in Svāhā, a supreme pair was born: Suvarṇa and Suvarṇā. Unmatched in form upon the earth, they ever brought delight to Agni and continually increased the joy of all worlds. With affection, Agni gave Suvarṇā to the wise one for the sake of righteousness. Then, for Suvarṇa’s son, he made a cherished resolve, and thus the sage arranged the marriage of the son and daughter. Because of the mutual mingling of seed, both became Agni’s offspring. Suvarṇa, the son, took on many forms, assuming the appearances of the best among the gods. He would go, taking the form and beauty of the beloved wife of Indra, Vāyu, Kubera, Varuṇa, and the great sages, wherever Suvarṇa desired. Sometimes, the son of the sage would assume the form of the husband among devoted wives, and, ever noble in conduct, he delighted in fulfilled desire with them. Suvarṇā, wife of Dharma and called by that name, daughter of Svāhā, became unrestrained, going wherever her mind wished. Taking the form of a wife, Suvarṇā enjoyed with husbands among men, demons, gods, sages, ancestors, and others endowed with beauty, generosity, steadiness, and depth. Becoming the very form of whichever goddess a god desired as wife, she would delight with him, drawing his mind by various means and many devices, fulfilling his desires. Thus, seeing the conduct of Suvarṇa, daughter of Agni’s son, all the gods and demons became angry and cursed both the son and daughter of Agni. “This act, being of the nature of transgression and deceitful conduct, is sinful. Therefore, O carrier of oblations, let your son be ever wandering and marked by transgression. Likewise, let Suvarṇā not be devoted to one alone, O Agni, nor satisfied with one; let her associate with many, of various kinds and despised forms—this shall be the fault of your daughter.” Hearing these words of the curse, Agni, greatly afraid, approached me and said, “Tell me the means of atonement for my son and daughter.” Then I said, “O Vahni, go to Gautamī and worship Śaṃkara there, O mighty-armed one, and make known to the Lord of the universe. By the power of Maheśvara, present within your body, such offspring has been born to you, O Vahni; therefore, you should inform the god of gods of this curse, so that Śambhu may bring about the welfare of your offspring and their protection. Praise the god and the goddess with devotion; Śiva will be pleased, and then you will obtain your cherished desires regarding your offspring.” Following my words, Agni went to Gaṅgā and worshipped Maheśvara there with disciplined words and praises in accord with the Vedas: “I bow to the Lord of the universe, the creator of the world, whose form is the universe, who is stainless, the prime originator, and self-born. He who becomes fire and destroys, who is the creator in the form of water, who protects in the form of the sun—I bow to that Three-eyed One.” Then the blessed, endless, auspicious, and imperishable Lord became pleased and granted a boon to Agni, honored by the gods. Humbly, Agni spoke to Shiva: “Your power resides in me; from it a beautiful son was born, Suvarṇa, renowned in the worlds. Likewise, Suvarṇā became a daughter from you, O Lord of the world; from the union of each other's power, and due to that fault, both these resulted.