Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1644

c7.1644

5) The death of Madhu and Kaiṭabha. According to the request of Brahmā, Mahāviṣṇu confronted Madhu and Kaiṭabha. Madhu engaged Viṣṇu in fighting while Kaiṭabha took rest and when Madhu became tired, Kaiṭabha engaged Viṣṇu in fighting. Thus the fight went on for a long time and Viṣṇu became tired of continuous fight. Viṣṇu understood that owing to the boon given by Devī the Asuras would die only if they wished for death, and that no body could kill them. So Viṣṇu began to meditate on Devī, who said "It would never be possible for you to kill Madhu and Kaiṭabha because of my boon. They could be killed only by deceit. So you may kill them deceitfully".