As the battle raged and the Asuras were being struck down, they rushed desperately to their teacher, Shukra. Seeing his disciples pursued relentlessly by the gods, Shukra swiftly intervened. However, once he withdrew his protective power, the gods—now suffering from the renewed assault of the demons—saw Shukra standing resolute. Without hesitation or fear, they abandoned the Asuras to their fate. At that moment, Kāvya, the wise Brāhmaṇa—Shukra himself—reflected deeply and then addressed the Asuras with words meant for their welfare, mindful of all that had transpired before. He reminded them, “Vāmana has taken the three worlds from you in three strides. Bali is bound, Jambha has fallen, and Virocana is dead. The gods have slain the great Asuras in twelve fierce battles; your leaders have been destroyed by many means. Now, only a few of you remain. I believe it is not wise to continue fighting. Instead, I will share a strategy: wait patiently for the right time.” He continued, “I will go to Mahādeva to obtain mantras of victory. Once I have received from the great Lord those mantras that cannot be countered, we will challenge the gods again, and then victory will be yours.” The Asuras agreed to this plan and approached the gods, declaring, “We have all laid down our weapons and armor, and have left our chariots behind. We will dwell in the forest, practicing austerities, clad in bark garments, as Prahlāda has wisely advised.” Hearing this, the gods withdrew, free from anxiety and filled with joy, for the Asuras had abandoned their weapons. Once the gods departed, Kāvya instructed the Asuras, “For a time, remain steadfast in austerity and undistracted, until the moment for action arrives. Stay in my father’s hermitage and await my return.” With these words, Kāvya set out to approach Mahādeva. Before the great deity, Shukra prayed, “O Lord, grant me those mantras which even Bṛhaspati does not possess, so that the Asuras may triumph over the gods.” Mahādeva replied, “O Bhārgava, undertake a vow for a full thousand years: stand with your head downward, subsisting on smoke alone. If you complete this, you shall receive the mantras. May all be well for you.” Receiving this command, Shukra bowed at Mahādeva’s feet and vowed, “So be it, O Lord. I will perform this austerity as you have decreed.” As Shukra departed, Mahādeva sent Kuṇḍadhāra, the smoke-bearer, to him. There, for the sake of the Asuras, Shukra dwelt in celibacy at Maheśvara’s abode, seeking the powerful mantras. Meanwhile, the gods saw that the Asuras had relinquished their rule according to policy and, angered by this opportunity, attacked them, fully armed and led by Bṛhaspati. Alarmed by the gods’ approach, the Asuras, defenseless, rose in fear and called out, “We have laid down our weapons, and our teacher is engaged in his vow. You granted us safety, yet now you come to destroy us. We are without a teacher, have no weapons, and wear only bark and antelope skins. We are inactive and possess nothing.” Realizing they could not defeat the gods in battle, the Asuras resolved, “Let us seek refuge with Kāvyamātā and endure this hardship until our teacher returns. When Shukra comes back, we will fight again.” Thus, they all sought shelter with Kāvyamātā. Seeing their fear, she assured them, “Do not be afraid, O Dānavas. While you remain with me, you have nothing to fear.” Yet, the gods, seeing Kāvyamātā protecting the Asuras, attacked by force, disregarding all considerations of strength or weakness. Witnessing the Asuras being oppressed, the goddess grew angry and declared to the gods, “I will make you all bereft of Indra.” She gathered her great ascetic and yogic powers and approached Indra, paralyzing him with her might. Seeing Indra thus struck down, the gods were stunned and fled in terror. Then Viṣṇu spoke to Indra, “Enter into me, O blessed one, and I shall lead you.” Indra, thus addressed, entered into Viṣṇu. Observing Indra protected by Viṣṇu, the enraged goddess proclaimed, “Now, together with Viṣṇu, I shall burn you both before the eyes of all beings—let my ascetic power be witnessed!” Overpowered by her ascetic energy, both Indra and Viṣṇu were bound. Viṣṇu then said to Indra, “How shall we free ourselves from this?” Indra replied, “Strike her down before she destroys us, Lord. I am overwhelmed by her power—act swiftly!” Viṣṇu hesitated, troubled by the prospect of slaying a woman, but the urgency of the situation compelled him. Taking up his discus, he resolved to end the calamity. Driven by haste and fear, and knowing the goddess’s fierce intent, Viṣṇu, filled with anger, cut off her head. Witnessing this act—the slaying of a woman—Bhṛgu, lord among sages, grew wrathful and cursed Viṣṇu: “Though you know righteousness, you have killed a woman who should not be slain. Therefore, you shall be born seven times among men in this world.” Thus, by Bhṛgu’s curse, whenever righteousness is lost, Viṣṇu is born among men for the world’s welfare. Then, reciting a sacred formula, Bhṛgu quickly took the goddess’s head and joined it to her body, declaring, “O goddess, you were slain by Viṣṇu; I will restore your life.” Thus, he revived her, bringing her back to life.