The Daityas, faced with the gods, spoke out in protest: “O gods, we have set aside our weapons while our teacher is absorbed in his sacred vow. You promised us safety, yet now you approach us with the intent to destroy.” Helpless and vulnerable, they stood unarmed, clad only in bark and antelope skins, inactive and possessing nothing. They admitted, “We cannot hope to defeat you in battle; so, without fighting, let us seek refuge with the mother of Kavi.” They resolved to inform her of their plight and await their teacher’s return, for when Shukra came back, they would take up arms once more. With this decision, the Daityas, frightened, approached Kavi’s mother together, and she granted them protection. She reassured them: “Do not fear, O Dānavas. Let go of your terror and remain here with me—there is no need for great fear.” Seeing the Asuras shielded by her, the gods, considering their own strengths and weaknesses, launched a forceful attack. As the Asuras were being bound, the goddess, enraged, declared to the gods, “I will bewilder you with sleep.” Drawing upon her ascetic power and mastery of yoga, she summoned sleep and paralyzed the gods by force. Indra, the king of gods, was struck down by her power, and the rest of the gods, confused and frightened by his defeat, fled. When the host of gods had departed, Vishnu spoke to Indra, “Enter into me, O best of gods, and may good befall you. I will protect you.” Thus addressed, Purandara (Indra) entered into Vishnu. Seeing Indra protected by Vishnu, the goddess, now furious, declared, “I will burn you both, O Maghavan, together with Vishnu, before the eyes of all beings. Let my ascetic power be seen.” Overpowered, Indra and Vishnu were subdued by her. Vishnu asked Indra, “How can I be freed together with you?” Indra replied, “Strike her down before she destroys us, O Lord. I am especially overpowered—strike her without delay!” Vishnu, observing the goddess, found it difficult to kill a woman, but recognizing the urgency and the cruel intent of the goddess, he swiftly entered into Shakra (Indra), who was in danger. Acting quickly and fearfully, Vishnu seized his discus and, out of necessity, cut off her head. Witnessing this terrible act, Bhrigu, the lord, became enraged. When Vishnu had killed Bhrigu’s wife, Bhrigu cursed him: “Though you knew the law, you killed a woman who should not be slain. Therefore, by this curse, you shall be born among humans seven times; and whenever righteousness declines, you will return again and again. For the welfare of the world, you will be born among humans.” Having spoken thus, Bhrigu took up her head, brought the body together, and said, “O goddess, though you were slain by Vishnu, I shall restore you to life. If I truly know the whole of righteousness, or have practiced it, then by that truth, live again—if what I say is true.” Sprinkling her with cold water, he said, “Live!” And at that very moment, the goddess was revived. All beings witnessed her awakening as if from sleep and exclaimed in wonder, “Well done! Well done!” Thus, the goddess was restored by Bhrigu, and before the gods, it appeared as something wondrous. Calmly, Bhrigu revived his wife again; but Indra remained troubled, fearing Kavi’s return. Staying awake, Indra spoke to Jayanti, his daughter: “This Kavi is performing a terrible vow to bring about my downfall. Because of this, my wise daughter, I am greatly troubled. Serve him with all manner of pleasing attentions, tirelessly, so that the Brahmin may be satisfied. Go, you are given to him; make every effort for my sake.” Jayanti accepted her father’s words and went to where Kavi was engaged in fierce austerity. She saw him drinking only smoke, his face turned downward, being purified by a stream poured by a Yaksha, steadfast in his practice. Exhausted by the destruction of enemies, he remained in a weakened state. Following her father’s instructions, Jayanti praised him with gentle and pleasing words, served him at proper times with soothing massages, and attended him for many years, offering services suited to his vow. When the dreadful thousand-year vow of smoke was completed, Shiva, pleased, offered a boon: “This vow has been performed by you alone, not by anyone else. Therefore, by your austerity, intelligence, learning, strength, and brilliance, you alone will surpass all the gods. Whatever exists in me, O Brahman, son of Bhrigu, I will grant all of it to you; you must not reveal it to anyone. What need is there for many words? You will become invincible.” Thus, Shiva bestowed those boons again and again upon Bhargava (Kavi).