Bab 2: The Mysterious Boon

Goddess Parvati pleaded with her husband not to give a boon to the evil Mahishi. But Shiva didn't listen to her. Finally dejected she asked him to promise her, "Promise me that you won't give her the boon of immortality, for that is all I ask." Shiva agreed to this wish of Parvati and set out to meet Mahishi. On seeing Lord Shiva appear Mahishi's joy knew no bounds. When Shiva asked what would you like for your boon, she immediately replied immortality. Shiva disagreed and said he can't grant her immortality ask for something else. Mahishi didn't want anything other than immortality but she knew if she rejected she would end up having no boon at all. She cleverly came up with another wish that would make her immortal. When Shiva asked her for the boon one last time, she replied, "Immortality is what I want but if you can't grant me that then give me the boon that only the son of Shiva and Vishnu can kill me". She knew that too males can never have a child so she becomes immortal. Well aware of her intentions Shiva granted her the boon.