Seeing themselves unable to prevail against the gods in battle, the Asuras gathered and spoke among themselves: “We cannot defeat the gods by any means. Let us not fight further, but instead seek refuge with Kāvyamātā.” They resolved to endure their hardship and wait for their teacher, Śukra, to return. “When Śukra comes back, we will rise again and fight with weapons in hand,” they decided. With this resolve, the Asuras approached Kāvyamātā together and sought her protection. Seeing the fear in their hearts, Kāvyamātā offered them comfort and safety. “Do not fear, O Dānavas,” she said, “abandon your terror. While you remain under my care, there is no reason to be afraid.” Yet, when the gods saw that Kāvyamātā had taken the Asuras under her protection, they did not hesitate. Without considering their own strength or weakness, they attacked the Asuras with force. Witnessing her wards being oppressed, Kāvyamātā was filled with anger and addressed the gods: “I will make you all without Indra!” Summoning all her powers, strengthened by her asceticism and yoga, she approached Indra and paralyzed him. The gods, seeing their leader struck down and helpless, were seized with fear and fled in silence. As the gods scattered, Viṣṇu spoke to Indra, also known as Śakra: “Come, enter into me, O best of gods. Blessings to you—I will protect and lead you.” Indra, thus addressed, entered into Viṣṇu for protection. But Kāvyamātā, seeing Indra shielded by Viṣṇu, grew even more enraged and declared, “Now, together with Viṣṇu, I will burn you both by force, O Maghavan, before the eyes of all beings—let my ascetic power be seen!” Overpowered by her might, both Indra and Viṣṇu found themselves bound. Viṣṇu turned to Indra and asked, “How shall we free ourselves from this together?” Indra replied, “Strike her down before she burns us, Lord! I am overwhelmed by her special power. Do not delay—strike her quickly!” Viṣṇu pondered the grave difficulty of slaying a woman. Yet, seeing no other way to remove the calamity, he took up his discus. Urged by haste and filled with fear, Viṣṇu, understanding the cruel intent of the goddess, angrily wielded his weapon and, out of desperation, cut off her head. Witnessing this terrible act—the slaying of a woman—Bhṛgu, the lord among sages, was overcome with anger. He cursed Viṣṇu for killing a wife: “Though you know righteousness, you have slain a woman who should not be killed. Therefore, you shall be born seven times among men in this world.” Thus, by Bhṛgu’s curse, whenever righteousness is lost again and again, Viṣṇu will be born among men for the welfare of the world. Then, reciting a sacred formula, Bhṛgu quickly took Kāvyamātā’s head and rejoined it to her body, saying, “O goddess, you were slain by Viṣṇu, but I will revive you. Let her live.” He invoked truth itself: “If I have truly known or practiced righteousness in full, by that truth may you live; if I speak the truth, let it be so.” Sprinkling her with cool water, he repeated, “Live!” And as he spoke, the goddess was revived, as if awakened from sleep. All beings, witnessing this marvel, exclaimed “Excellent! Excellent!” in every direction. Thus, Kāvyamātā was restored to life by Bhṛgu, and the gods beheld this wonder. Bhṛgu, unshaken, had brought his wife back to life. Yet Indra found no peace, fearing the power of Kāvya (Śukra), and so, remaining awake, he spoke to Jayantī, his daughter. “Kāvya is performing a terrible vow against his enemies. Because of this, O daughter, I am greatly troubled by the wise Bhṛgu.” He instructed Jayantī, “Go and serve him with pleasant acts that remove his fatigue, and with various attentions that delight his mind. Untiringly honor Kāvya in such a way that the twice-born is pleased. Go, for you have been given to him; make every effort for my sake.” Jayantī accepted her father’s words and went to where Kāvya, engaged in fierce austerity, stood. She saw him drinking smoke, facing downward, struck by a yakṣa, and drenched by a water vessel. Though afflicted, Kāvya remained steadfast in his form, absorbed in meditation, weak in body yet radiant in glory. Jayantī did as her father had instructed: with sweet words, gentle praise, and timely service—massaging and comforting him, observing the proper rituals—she attended to Kāvya for many years. When, after a thousand years, that dreadful vow of smoke was completed, Kāvya was pleased and offered Jayantī a boon of her choice. “This vow has been performed by you alone, by no other. Therefore, by your austerity, wisdom, learning, strength, and energy, you alone will surpass all the gods. Whatever you desire, O Brāhmaṇa, O son of Bhṛgu, exists for you. You will attain all that, and it is not to be revealed to anyone. Thus, you will become supreme over all, O best of the twice-born.” Having granted these boons to Bhārgava, Bhava (Maheśvara) again bestowed upon him lordship over beings, lordship over wealth, and invulnerability. Kāvyā, filled with joy at receiving these boons, offered a divine hymn to Maheśvara, praising the blue-red one while standing sideways: “Homage to Śitikaṇṭha, the youngest, the radiant one, the one who licks, the sage of the Kāvyas, the year, the lord of Soma. Salutations to the matted-haired, the fierce, the tawny-eyed, the granter of boons, the praised one, the holy, the god of gods, the swift.” Thus unfolded these wondrous and profound events, each act woven with the threads of dharma, devotion, and divine power.