With deepest reverence, the gods offered their salutations to the Mother of the Universe, extolling her in her many forms and names. “Salutations to you, O auspicious Kali, O Mother; salutations to you, blue Sarasvati! Fierce Tara, greatly formidable one, we bow to you again and again. To you, O Goddess clad in yellow, to you, beauty of Tripura, to Bhairavi, Matangi, Dhumavati—we offer our endless salutations. Chinnamasta, daughter of the ocean of milk, O Shakambhari, O auspicious one with red teeth, we bow to you.” They praised her as the destroyer of Nishumbha and Shumbha, the annihilator of Raktabija, the vanquisher of Dhumralochana, and the suppressor of the Vritra demon. “O fierce destroyer of Chanda and Munda, ender of demons, O auspicious one—salutations! O victorious one, O Ganga, O Sharada, O radiant-faced goddess, to you we bow. Homage to you in the form of the earth, in the form of compassion, in the form of light; to you in the form of life-breath, in your great form, in the form of all beings—salutations to you. Again and again we bow to you, who are the universe itself, compassion, righteousness, divinity, light, and knowledge.” The gods invoked her as Gāyatrī, Sāvitrī, Sarasvatī, Svāhā, Svadhā, the Mother, and Dakṣiṇā, offering repeated salutations. “To her who is indicated by the words ‘not this, not this’ in all the scriptures, who is the direct form of all, the supreme goddess—we worship you. Because you are surrounded by bees, you are remembered as Bhṛāmarī; to you, constant salutations, ever and always.” They bowed in every direction—at her sides, back, and front, above and below—proclaiming, “O Ambikā, everywhere, indeed, salutations again and again. Show compassion, O great goddess, dweller in the jeweled island, sovereign of countless millions of universes, Mother of the world. Victory to you, O goddess, Mother of the world! Victory to you, transcendent among the transcendent, glorious sovereign of the worlds, highest among the high! O sovereign of the worlds, treasure-house of auspicious qualities and virtues, be gracious, O supreme ruler, be gracious at the gateway of the world.” Hearing these bold and sweet words, the Mother of the World, her voice as melodious as an intoxicated cuckoo, replied, “I am always pleased, O gods, O crest-jewel among givers of boons. Let all the wise ones speak whatever is desired to be accomplished.” With great respect, the gods described the cause of their suffering: the wicked deeds of the evil demon who brought distress to the world. They spoke of the insult and destruction of the gods, brahmins, and the Vedas, and the loss of the gods’ positions. They recounted in detail the boon granted by Brahmā to the demon. Having heard all this, the great goddess Bhṛāmarī acted. She sent forth the bees held in her hands, those standing at her sides, and those near the fire, all taking on various forms. She generated countless more, filling the three worlds with swarms of bees. The sky became dense with them, darkness spread over the earth, and bees filled the heavens, mountains, trees, and forests. A marvelous sight unfolded as the bees rose up and attacked the Daityas, tearing at their chests. Just as angry bees swarm upon a thief of honey, so too, at that time, neither weapons nor missiles could offer any escape. There was no battle, no conversation—only death. Wherever the Daityas stood, in whatever manner or place, there they met their end. In a mere moment, all those arrogant Daityas were destroyed, and the bees, their task accomplished, returned to the Goddess. Amazed, people exclaimed, “This is a wonder, truly a wonder! What marvel is there in the Mother of the World, whose power is like this?” All the hosts of gods, led by Brahma and Vishnu, filled with joy, worshipped Ambika with various offerings and gifts, showering flowers and proclaiming victory. In the heavens, drums resounded, the Apsaras danced, sages recited the Vedas, and Gandharvas and others sang. The sounds of mridangas, murajas, vinas, dhakkas, damarus, bells, and conches filled the three worlds. Having praised her with hymns and with palms joined on their heads, all proclaimed, “Victory, Mother! Victory, O Ruler!” The Great Goddess, pleased, granted each their desired boons, bestowing upon them abundant devotion to herself. While the gods looked on, she vanished from sight. Thus, the great deeds of Bhṛāmarī have been told. Whoever reads or listens to this tale destroys all sins; it is wondrous to hear and helps one cross the ocean of worldly existence. The deeds of all Manus, joined with the greatness of the Goddess, when read or heard, bestow auspiciousness and destroy sin. Whoever reads this daily, or always listens to it, is freed from all sins and attains union with the Goddess. At this point, the sages spoke: “This account of yours, concerning the cause of pregnancy, is astonishing; a doubt has arisen among all of us ascetics.” They asked, “O wise one, Vyasa’s mother is known by the name Satyavati; it is known that she was once married to King Shantanu.” And thus, the story continued.