For the welfare of the Asuras, after Shukra had departed, Maheshvara himself remained there, observing celibacy and dedicating himself to the purpose of the mantra. The Asuras, realizing this, soon relinquished their kingdom, and during this interval, the gods—angered and armed with sharp weapons, led by Brihaspati—attacked the Asuras. Seeing the gods approach, the hosts of Asuras, although armed, were suddenly gripped by fear and fled. With their weapons laid down, victory granted, and their teacher engaged in his vow, the gods abandoned the previous agreement and sought to destroy their rivals. The Asuras, bereft of their teacher, wished good fortune upon each other, trusting in austerity, clad in bark, skins, and simple garments, inactive and without possessions. Despairing, they confessed, “We will never be able to defeat the gods in battle; being impure, let us seek refuge in Kavya, our mother.” They resolved to inform their teacher of these events upon his return, and then to engage in battle against the gods through poetic contest. Having spoken thus, the Asuras sought refuge with Kāvyamātā, as was proper, and in their fear, they received safety at that time. To those frightened demons, seeking freedom from fear, assurance was given: “Do not be afraid, do not be afraid,” and the Dānavas abandoned their fear. “While you remain in my presence,” she said, “fear should not arise for you.” Yet, seeing those afflicted by fear, both gods and demons at that time attacked each other, considering their strengths and weaknesses. Witnessing the terrified and those being slain by the gods, the goddess became enraged and declared, “I shall make you powerless, Indra!” With wrath, she confronted Indra directly. Indra was immobilized, like a sacrificial post, and seeing him subdued, the gods fled in fear. When the host of gods had departed, Viṣṇu spoke to Indra, “Enter into me, O blessed one; I shall protect you, Lord of the gods.” Thus addressed, Purandara entered Viṣṇu. Seeing Indra protected by Viṣṇu, the goddess, still enraged, declared, “Together with Viṣṇu, I shall burn you, O Maghavan, in the sight of all beings; let my power of austerity be witnessed.” Overpowered by her, Indra and Viṣṇu conferred together. Viṣṇu asked, “How shall we escape together?” Indra replied, “Slay her before she burns us, O mighty one; I am especially overpowered, so do not delay.” Observing her, Viṣṇu resolved to commit the act of killing a woman. Having contemplated, the Lord swiftly summoned his discus. As she rushed swiftly, perceiving the cruel intent of the goddess, Viṣṇu, angered, invoked his weapon and severed her head. Witnessing this dreadful act of killing a woman, Bhṛgu, the lord, was enraged. He cursed Viṣṇu for slaying his wife: “Because, knowing the law, you killed a woman who is not to be slain, therefore you shall descend among humans seven times.” Thus, by that curse, whenever righteousness is lost again and again, for the welfare of all, Viṣṇu is born among humans in this world. Having thus addressed Viṣṇu, Bhṛgu himself took the goddess’s head, brought it to her body, took water, and spoke: “Now I shall restore you, who were slain by Viṣṇu in truth, to life—if all the righteousness I have practiced is known, or even if it is not; by that truth, live, if indeed I speak the truth.” When this truthful declaration was uttered, the goddess was revived. Sprinkling her with cool waters, he said, “Live.” Seeing her as if awakened from sleep, all beings rejoiced, and voices of the unseen resounded through the directions, exclaiming, “Excellent! Excellent!” When Bhṛgu revived the goddess before the eyes of all beings, it appeared as a marvel among them. Bhṛgu, unperturbed, brought his wife back to life, but Śakra (Indra), seeing this, found no peace and was fearful of Kāvyas. Remaining awake, Indra, the wise wielder of the thunderbolt, spoke to his own daughter Jayantī, saying, “This Kāvyas performs fierce austerity, not for my sake; because of this, O daughter, I have been deeply troubled by his steadfast resolve. Go, honor him with pleasant services that relieve his fatigue, and with various attentions that delight his mind, without any negligence.” Jayantī, daughter of Indra, virtuous and devoted, approached Kāvyas, who was weakened but steadfast, with focused meditation and calmness. She did exactly as her father had instructed, praising him with gentle and pleasing words. Serving him at the proper times with soothing massages and bringing him comfort, she waited on him attentively for many years. When the dreadful thousand-year vow of smoke was completed, she asked Kāvyas to choose a boon, and he was pleased. He declared, “What you have accomplished has not been done by anyone else; therefore, by your austerity, wisdom, learning, and strength—by your brilliance, you will surpass all the gods. Whatever knowledge I possess, O Bhṛgu’s son—all the limbs and all the secrets of the sacrificial Upaniṣads will become manifest to you; their beginning and end are known to none. Therefore, you will become the foremost of the twice-born.” Thus, granting these boons again and again to Bhārgava, Kāvyas was honored and exalted.