“The Deities said, ’With the aid of even your tongues bent inwards ye shall be able to eat all things, and with even those tongues ye shall be able to utter cries that will only be indistinct.  Having blessed the elephants in this way, the denizens of Heaven once more resumed their search after Agni.  Indeed, having issued out of the Aswattha tree, the deity of fire had entered the heart of Sami.  This new abode of Agni was divulged by a parrot.  The gods thereupon proceeded to the spot.  Enraged with the conduct of the parrot, the deity of blazing flames cursed the whole parrot race, saying, ’Ye shall from this day be deprived of the power of speech.’  Indeed, the eater of sacrificial libations turned up the tongues of all the parrots.  Beholding Agni at the place pointed out by the parrot, and witnessing the curse denounced upon him, the gods, feeling a compassion for the poor creature, blessed him, saying, ’In consequence of thy being a parrot, thou shalt not be wholly deprived of the power of speech.  Though thy tongue has been turned backwards, yet speech thou shalt have, confined to the letter K. Like that of a child or an old man, thy speech shall be sweet and indistinct and wonderful.’  Having said these words unto the parrot, and beholding the deity of fire within the heart of the Sami, the gods made Sami wood a sacred fuel fit for producing fire in all religious rites.  It was from that time that fire is seen to reside in the heart of the Sami.  Men came to regard the Sami as proper means for producing fire (in sacrifice).[385] The waters that occur in the nethermost regions had come into contact with the deity of blazing flames.  Those heated waters, O thou of Bhrigu’s race, are vomited forth by the mountain springs.  In consequence, indeed, of Agni having resided in them for some time, they became hot through his energy.  Meanwhile, Agni, beholding the gods, became grieved.  Addressing the deities, he asked them, ‘What is the reason of your presence here?’ Unto him the deities and the great Rishi said, ’We wish to set thee to a particular task.  It behoveth thee to accomplish it.  When accomplished, it will redound greatly to thy credit.’

“Agni said, ’Tell me what your business is.  I shall, ye gods, accomplish it.  I am always willing to be set by you to any task you wish.  Do not scruple, therefore, to command me.’”

“The Deities said, ’There is an Asura of the name of Taraka who has been filled with pride in consequence of the boon he has obtained from Brahman.  Through his energy he is able to oppose and discomfit us.  Do thou ordain his destruction.  O sire, do thou rescue these deities, these Prajapatis, and these Rishis, O highly blessed Pavaka!  O puissant one, do thou beget a heroic son possessed of thy energy, who will dispel, O bearer of sacrificial libations, our fears from that Asura.  We have been cursed by the great goddess Uma.  There is nothing else then thy energy which can be our refuge now.