After their defeat at the hands of the demons, the deities practised this expiation, It was on account of this expiation that they succeeded in regaining their position as celestials. Indeed, it was through this that they regained their strength and became successful.
पराभवाच्च दैत्यानां देवैः शौचमिदं कृतम्। ते देवत्वमपि प्राप्ताः संसिद्धाश्च महाबलाः॥