When Kāvya, also known as Śukra, had completed his purpose and returned, all the sons of Diti—the Asuras—were filled with joy. Eager to see their revered teacher, they hurried to his house. But when they arrived, they could not find him; Kāvya was hidden from their sight by a veil of illusion. Realizing this was a sign, they understood something was amiss and returned the way they had come. Meanwhile, Bṛhaspati, the wise preceptor of the gods, was aware that Kāvya was bound elsewhere by a boon and, for the sake of Jayantī’s happiness, stayed away for ten years, wishing her well. At the end of this period, prompted by Indra, Bṛhaspati took on the exact form of Kāvya and summoned the Asuras to him. When the Asuras gathered, Bṛhaspati, disguised as Kāvya, welcomed them warmly: “Welcome, my ritual students; I have come for your welfare. I will teach you the knowledge I have obtained.” The Asuras, delighted, came to him eager to learn. When the ten years had passed, at that very time, Devayānī was born to Kāvya, as is well known. Turning his mind back to his students, Kāvya addressed Jayantī, “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 graciously, “Attend to your devotees, O great-vowed one; this is the duty of the virtuous, O Brahmin. I do not hinder your dharma.” Thus reassured, Kāvya went to see the Asuras. But when he arrived, he saw them gathered around Bṛhaspati, who had deceived them by taking on Kāvya’s form. Kāvya spoke out, “Know me as Kāvya; the mighty Lord of the Mountain is pleased. Alas, you have all been deceived! Listen, O Dānavas.” Hearing these words, the Asuras were thrown into confusion, gazing in amazement at the two identical teachers before them. Bewildered, unable to distinguish between the two, they listened as Kāvya continued: “I am your teacher Kāvya; this is Aṅgirā, teacher of the gods. Follow me, O Daityas, and abandon this Bṛhaspati.” But the Asuras, looking from one to the other, could not discern any difference. Then Bṛhaspati, calm and steadfast in his austerity, spoke: “I am Kāvya, your teacher, O Daityas; this is Bṛhaspati in my form. He is deluding you, O Asuras, by taking my appearance.” The Asuras conferred among themselves and said, “This lord has taught us constantly for ten years; he is truly our teacher. This twice-born seeks to intrude among us.” Having made their decision, the Dānavas bowed to Bṛhaspati, accepting him as their guru. Their long association with him had convinced them, and they would not be deceived. With eyes reddened in anger, they said to Kāvya, “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 spoken thus, all the Asuras gathered around Bṛhaspati, ignoring the true Kāvya’s words. Seeing their arrogance and disregard, Bhārgava (Śukra) became angry, thinking, “I have instructed them, yet the Dānavas do not honor me.” In his wrath, Kāvya cursed them, “Therefore, you will lose your awareness and suffer defeat.” So saying, he departed as he had come. Bṛhaspati, knowing that Kāvya had cursed the Asuras, joyfully resumed his own form, for his purpose had been accomplished. Understanding that the Asuras had been defeated by wisdom, he vanished from their sight. In his absence, the Dānavas became confused and distressed, lamenting, “Alas, we have been deceived!” They turned to one another, realizing they had been struck by the trick of Āṅgirasa. Bewildered by illusion and dissatisfied, they quickly went in search of Kāvya, with Prahlāda at their head, following after him. Approaching Kāvya, they stood before him with downcast faces. Seeing them gathered once more, Kāvya addressed them: “Since you all, having been instructed by me, did not honor me, therefore, through that disrespect, you have met with defeat.” As Śukra spoke, Prahlāda, his voice choked with tears, pleaded, “Do not abandon us, Bhārgava. Honor those who seek your refuge and your devotees. When you are unseen, we are deceived by that divine teacher. You ought to recognize your devotees with your long-ascetic vision. If you do not show us favor, O son of Bhṛgu, then, condemned by you, we shall enter the netherworld today.” Kāvya, understanding the truth of their words and moved by compassion, restrained his anger and said gently, “Do not fear, do not go to the netherworld. The destined events must indeed occur while I am vigilant; it cannot be otherwise, for fate is most powerful. The awareness you lost today, you will regain; after defeating the gods even once, you will attain the netherworld.” When the appointed time arrived, Brahmā himself spoke: “By my grace, you have enjoyed the three worlds with great power. Ten complete cycles called yugas have passed, and having surpassed the gods, Brahmā ruled for this entire period. In the era of Sāvarṇi, kingship will again be yours; your grandson Bali will once more become lord of the worlds. Thus, it is said, your grandson was addressed by Viṣṇu himself; when the worlds were taken away, those boons became his.” Thus unfolded the tale of devotion, wisdom, and fate among the Asuras, their teachers, and the lords of the worlds.