Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1642

c7.1642

3) Madhu-Kaiṭabhas' acquiring boons. Madhu-Kaiṭabhas were born in water, grew up in water and walked on the surface of water, haughty and arrogant. They began to think about how the big flood of water came into existence. Then Devī appeared before them and taught them the mantra or incantation of Vāgbija (origin of logos). Reciting this mantra, Madhu and Kaiṭabha worshipped Devī for thousand years. Devī appeared and asked them what they wished. They wanted the boon that death should befall them only as they desired. Devī granted them the boon. After this they became haughtier because of the boon, and lived in the water playing with the creatures in water having nobody to confront them (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 1).