Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.2277

c7.2277

Once a fierce war was fought by the Devas and the Asuras in which the latter got defeated, and they sought the help of Śukrācārya. But, as the Devas enjoyed the support of Viṣṇu, Śukra could not do anything for the asuras, and he therefore advised them to get on somehow or other for some time. After that Śukra went to Kailāsa and performed penance, hanging head downwards, for a thousand years to secure rare and exceptional mantras. During this period the Devas again attacked the Asuras, who ran up to Kāvyamātā for succour, and she, by one glance, sent the Devas to long sleep. She reduced Viṣṇu and Indra also to a state of paralysis. Then Viṣṇu meditated upon the Sudarśana Cakra, which arrived immediately and with the Cakra he cut off Kāvyamātā's head. Sage Bhṛgu then appeared on the scene and brought back Kāvyamātā to life, and she, in furious rage cursed that Mahāviṣṇu had to incarnate himself on earth many times. (Devī Bhāgavata, 4th Skandha).