After touching Kāvyā’s body with his hand, the great sage was filled with satisfaction. He granted her a full vision of himself, and then, in an instant, vanished from that very spot. In the wake of his disappearance, he noticed Jayantī standing nearby. Approaching her, he addressed her gently, “Who are you, O fortunate one? To whom do you belong? Why do you appear sorrowful when I too am sorrowful? You, who are endowed with great austerity—what brings you to attend upon me?” He continued, his tone affectionate and reassuring, “By this praise, offered with devotion, humility, self-restraint, and affection, O lovely-hipped and radiant one, I am pleased with you. Tell me, what do you desire, O slender-waisted? What is your wish? Let it be fulfilled. Even if it is most difficult, I shall grant it to you today.” Thus addressed, Jayantī replied with humility, “Through my austerity, you should know my intention, O Brahman; for you indeed perceive it truly as it is.” Hearing her words, the sage—his divine sight unobstructed—replied, “O lovely-hipped one, you shall remain with me for ten years, O radiant goddess. Unseen by all beings, you wish for union here, O goddess dark as a blue lotus, O worthy of boons, O lovely-eyed one. This is the desire you have chosen from me, O sweet-spoken one.” Jayantī joyfully agreed, “So be it! Let us go to my house, O intoxicated-eyed one.” Thereupon, the sage took Jayantī’s hand and brought her to his own abode. For ten years, Bhārgava dwelt with that goddess, enveloped by his own illusion, unseen by all beings. Meanwhile, the sons of Diti, eager and joyful, approached Kāvyā’s house upon hearing he had accomplished his purpose and returned. But when they arrived, they could not see their teacher; hidden by illusion, they recognized the sign and departed as they had come. During this time, Bṛhaspati, aware that Kāvyā was bound by a boon for Jayantī’s satisfaction, remained so for ten years, wishing her well. When the ten years had passed, prompted by Indra, Bṛhaspati assumed the form of Kāvyā and summoned the Asuras. When they gathered, he welcomed them, “Welcome, my ritual students; I have come for your welfare. I will teach you the knowledge I have acquired.” Delighted, the Asuras approached him, eager to learn. When the ten-year period was complete, Devayānī was born from Kāvyā. Then Kāvyā turned his mind again to his ritual students. Addressing Jayantī, he said, “O goddess, I am going to see my ritual students, O pure-smiling, virtuous one with wandering gaze and wide, three-colored eyes.” Jayantī replied supportively, “Attend to your devotees, O great-vowed one; this is the duty of the virtuous, O Brahmin. I do not hinder your dharma.” Kāvyā then went to see the Asuras, only to find them deceived by the wise teacher of the gods, Bṛhaspati, who had taken Kāvyā’s form. Kāvyā addressed them, “Know me as Kāvyā; the mighty Lord of the Mountain is pleased. Alas, you have all been deceived! Listen, O Dānavas.” Hearing his words, the Asuras gazed in amazement at the two identical figures before them, utterly bewildered and unable to comprehend what had happened. As they stood confused, Kāvyā said, “I am your teacher Kāvyā; this is Aṅgirā, the teacher of the gods. Follow me, O Daityas, and abandon this Bṛhaspati.” But the Asuras, looking at both, could not discern any difference between them. Then Bṛhaspati, undisturbed and steadfast in his austerity, spoke, “I am Kāvyā, your teacher, O Daityas; this is Bṛhaspati in my form. He is deluding you, O Asuras, by taking my form.” The Asuras conferred among themselves, saying, “This lord has been instructing us constantly for ten years; he is truly our teacher. This twice-born seeks to intrude among us.” Thus, all the Dānavas bowed and greeted Bṛhaspati, accepting his words; their long practice with him had convinced them, and they were not deceived. Their eyes reddened with anger, the Asuras declared, “He is our teacher and benefactor; you go, you are not our guru. Whether Bhārgava or Vāṅgirā, this revered one is our guru; we remain under his command. You depart, do not delay.” Having thus spoken, all the Asuras approached Bṛhaspati, not accepting the great benefit offered by Kāvyā. Bhārgava (Kāvyā) became angry with them for their arrogance, feeling slighted that the Dānavas did not honor him as their teacher despite his instruction. In his wrath, he cursed them, “Therefore, you will lose your awareness and suffer defeat.” Having pronounced this curse, Kāvyā departed as he had come. Bṛhaspati, knowing Kāvyā had cursed the Asuras, joyfully resumed his own form, having accomplished his purpose. Realizing that the Asuras had been defeated by wisdom, he vanished, leaving the Dānavas confused and troubled. The Asuras lamented to one another, “Alas, we have been deceived!” Turning to face each other, they were struck by the cunning of Āṅgirasa. Each, deceived by illusion in his own way, dissatisfied, they hurried after Kāvyā, with Prahlāda at their head. Coming before Kāvyā, they stood with faces cast downward in humility. Seeing them gathered once more, Kāvyā addressed the sacrificers, “Since you all, having been instructed by me, did not honor me, therefore, through that disrespect, you have met with defeat.