k." Having been pointed out by the elephants, the deity of fire cursed
all elephants even thus and then went away and entered the heart of the
Sami tree from the desire of residing within it for some time. Listen
now, O puissant hero, what favour was shown unto the elephants, O
foremost one of Bhrigu's race, by the deities of unbaffled prowess who
were all gratified with the service a representative of their had done
them.

"'"'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 sai