Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1643

c7.1643

4) The theft of the Vedas. Madhu Kaiṭabhas saw Brahmā lying in the lotus flower reciting the four Vedas which he had created. They caught hold of all the Vedas and went to Pātāla, (the nether world) and hid themselves there. Brahmā grew sad at the loss of the Vedas and followed Madhu-Kaiṭabhas, who began to attack Brahmā. At this Brahmā became terribly afraid of the Asuras and ran to Mahāviṣṇu. who was lying in a deep sleep of contemplation. Brahmā praised him. Mahāviṣṇu woke up. (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 10).