When the assembled sacrificers gathered, Bṛhaspati greeted them warmly, saying, “Welcome, my sacrificers! I have come for your benefit.” He assured them, “I will teach you; the knowledge has indeed been attained by me.” Delighted by his words, they eagerly approached to learn from him. During the ten years that followed, Bṛhaspati’s wishes were fulfilled. At the end of this period, his intellect newly awakened, he departed at once. Around that time, his daughter Devayānī was born. She resolved to observe the sacrificers closely. Then someone addressed her: “O goddess, let us go to see your sacrificers, O pure-smiling one, virtuous lady with wandering gaze and three-colored, wide eyes.” In response, the goddess said, “Serve the devotees, O great vow-holder; this, O Brahman, is the dharma of the good. I will not violate your dharma.” Meanwhile, the wise teacher of the gods, assuming the form of Kāvya, went to see the Asuras. There, the creator, disguised, spoke to the Asura: “Know me as Kāvya, O child; this is indeed Aṅgiras on earth. Alas, you Dānavas have been deceived by me, who possess power.” Hearing his words, the sons of Diti became confused. They looked at both forms—one fair, one dark—each wearing a pure smile, but they could not discern the truth. Bewildered and unable to grasp anything, the Asuras listened as Kāvya spoke again: “I am your teacher, Kāvya; this is the teacher of the gods, Aṅgiras. All of you follow me, abandon Bṛhaspati.” The Asuras looked back and forth, unable to distinguish between the two. Then Bṛhaspati spoke: “This confused one is Aṅgiras; I am Kāvya, the guru of the Daityas. This form is Bṛhaspati. He deludes me with his own form, O Asuras.” Hearing this, the Dānavas deliberated among themselves. They recalled, “For ten years, this lord has continually ruled; this twice-born one seeks to take the place of our teacher.” Bowing and offering respect, the Dānavas accepted the words of the one they believed to be their teacher, deluded by the long practice. Their eyes red with anger, the Asuras declared, “This is our well-wishing teacher; you go, you are not our guru. Let this one be the Bhārgava or the Āṅgirasa, but he is not our guru; we remain under his command. You go, do not delay, O good one.” Having spoken thus, they approached Bṛhaspati, but when they did not accept him, he offered them great, beneficial advice. However, Bhārgava (Kāvya) became angry at their arrogance, for although he had instructed them, the Dānavas did not honor him. In his anger, he pronounced a curse: “Therefore, you will lose your senses and meet with defeat.” Having spoken, Kāvya departed as he had come. Bṛhaspati, knowing the Asuras had been cursed by Kāvya, joyfully resumed his own form, his purpose accomplished. Seeing the Asuras fallen, he disappeared, satisfied with his success. When he had vanished, the Dānavas realized their folly. Bewildered, they cried, “Alas! Fie! We have been deceived here!” They lamented, “We have turned our backs and been struck by the Creator; and, through his cunning, we have been burned and deprived in our own interests.” Frightened, the Asuras hurried to the gods, Prahlāda at their head, once again seeking Kāvya’s guidance. They approached Kāvya, standing around him facing east. Seeing them return, Kāvya addressed his worshippers: “I too instructed you at the proper time, but since you did not honor me, through that arrogance your group has met with defeat.” Prahlāda spoke humbly: “Abandon your pride, O Bhārgava, and care for your own worshippers, especially those who are devoted. We were deceived by that teacher of the gods whom you questioned; knowing with your far-seeing vision, you ought to protect your devotees. If you, O son of Bhṛgu, do not show us favor, then, condemned by you today, we shall enter the netherworld.” Sūta continued: Knowing the truth, Kāvya was moved by compassion and pity. Thus addressed and praised, he restrained his anger. He said, “Do not be afraid, nor should you go to the netherworld; this outcome was inevitable and has come to you while I was present. It cannot be otherwise; for what is seen is more powerful. The recognition you have lost today, you will surely regain. The appointed time has come—thus spoke Brahmā. And by my favor, you have enjoyed the strength of the three worlds. For a complete cycle of ten yugas, you surpassed the gods at their summit—Brahmā declared that this would be the duration of your reign. In the era of Sāvarṇi, your kingship will indeed return; your grandson Bali will again become lord of the worlds. Thus, I was told by Brahmā himself about your grandson. When the worlds were thus taken away, his austerity did not remain. Because his actions were not motivated by desire, the pleased Unborn One granted him the Sāvarṇi interval. The Lord told me that Bali will become king of the gods; therefore, he remains invisible to beings, awaiting the right time. And by the pleased Self-born, immortality was granted to you; therefore, do not be disheartened, endure the cycle with composure.” Thus, Kāvya comforted the Asuras, assuring them that their time would come again, and urged them to remain steadfast through the cycles of fate.