1The Brahman once won a victory for the Devas. Through that victory of the Brahman, the Devas became elated. They thought, "This victory is ours. This glory is ours."

2The Brahman perceived this and appeared before them. They did not know what mysterious form it was.

3They said to Fire: "O Jataveda (All-knowing)! Find out what mysterious spirit this is." He said: "Yes."

4He ran towards it and He (Brahman) said to him: "Who art thou?"     "I am Agni, I am Jataveda," he (the Fire-god) replied.

5Brahman asked: "What power resides in thee?" Agni replied: "I can burn up all whatsoever exists on earth."

6Brahman placed a straw before him and said: "Burn this." He (Agni) rushed towards it with all speed, but was not able to burn it. So he returned from there and said (to the Devas): "I was not able to find out what this great mystery is."

7Then they said to Vayu (the Air-god): "Vayu! Find out what this mystery is." He said: "Yes."

8He ran towards it and He (Brahman) said to him: "Who art thou?" "I am Vayu, I am Matarisva (traveller of Heaven)," he (Vayu) said.

9Then the Brahman said: "What power is in thee?" Vayu replied: "I can blow away all whatsoever exists on earth."

10Brahman placed a straw before him and said: "Blow this away." He (Vayu) rushed towards it with all speed, but was not able to blow it away. So he returned from there and said (to the Devas): "I was not able to find out what this great mystery is."

11Then they said to Indra: "O Maghavan (Worshipful One)! Find out what this mystery is." He said: "Yes"; and ran towards it, but it disappeared before him.

12Then he saw in that very space a woman beautifully adorned, Uma of golden hue, daughter of Haimavat (Himalaya). He asked: "What is this great mystery?"