When she heard her husband’s words, Maina felt delighted at heart and at once rose and went where Parvati was. At the sight of Parvati tears rushed to her eyes, and she lovingly took the girl in her lap.

Again and again she pressed the child to her bosom; her voice was choked with emotion and she found herself tongue-tied. Then the mother of the universe, the all-wise Bhavani, spoke gentle words that brought delight to her mother:

‘Hearken, mother, I relate to you a vision I saw. A handsome and fair-complexioned noble Brahman thus instructed me:

‘Go mountain-maid, and practise penance. Be assured that Narada’s words are infallibly true; the idea has commended itself to your father and mother as well. Austerity is conducive to joy and puts an end to pain and sin.

By the power of penance the Creator makes the world, by the power of penance, Vishnu protects it; by the power of penance Shambhu brings about its dissolution; by the power of penance, again, Shesha (the serpent-god) supports the burden of the earth.

In fact, the entire creation, Bhavani, rests on penance, bearing this in mind, go and practise penance. When she heard these words, the mother was astonished. She sent for Himalaya and told him of the vision.

Then, after consoling her parents in every possible way, Uma gladly went away to practise penance. Her loving household and parents were all distraught and none could speak a word.