After great deliberation she took the form of a cow and went to the spot where all gods and sages were in hiding. With tears in her eyes she told them her tale of woe, but none of them could help her.

The gods, sages and Gandharvas (celestial songsters) went all together to Brahma’s realm; with them was poor Earth in the form of a cow grievously stricken with fear and grief. When Brahma learnt everything, he realized in his heart his inability to help her and said, “The immortal Lord, whose servant you are, will be my help as well as yours.”

“Have patience, Earth,” said Brahma, “and fix your mind on Hari’s feet. The Lord knows the distress of his servants and will put an end to this cruel suffering.”

All the gods sat and thought: “Where can we find the Lord, so that we appeal to him?” said one, “we must go to Vaikuntha,” said another, “The Lord has his abode on the ocean of milk.”

The Lord always manifests himself to man just exactly according to the measure of devotion and love he cherishes in his heart. I, too, Parvati, happened to be in that assembly and took this occasion to say a word:

“For aught I know the Lord is all-pervading, present everywhere alike, and is revealed only by love. Tell me any place, time or quarter of the world where the Lord is not.

He pervades all things, animate or inanimate, and is yet apart and passionless; he is revealed by love even as fire is manifested by friction.” My words found favour with all, and Brahma applauded me, saying, “Well said, well said!”