In a time when the regular division of day and night was suspended, the natural order of months and seasons could not come to completion. Without this progression, the vital knowledge of the sun’s southern and northern courses was lost, and, in turn, the very understanding of the year—of time itself—became impossible. Without the year as a measure, all other reckonings of time were thrown into confusion. It was by the power of a devoted wife’s word that the sun no longer rose. And without the sunrise, the daily acts that sustain both mortals and gods—bathing, giving gifts, and other righteous deeds—could not be performed. The sacred fire, too, remained unmoving, so that sacrifices were left unoffered, and the ordained course of the world was halted, for the offering of oblations is what propels it forward. The gods themselves spoke: “We are nourished by mortals through the proper shares of sacrifice. In return, we send rain to the earth, granting mortals crops and sustenance. Mortals worship us with sacrifices, using the plants they have grown. When honored by these offerings, we grant their desires. We send rain down below, and mortals offer upwards; thus, with water and with oblations, we each fulfill our roles.” Yet, the gods warned, there are those wicked ones who greedily consume the sacrificial portions themselves, neglecting the regular and occasional rites due to the gods. For the destruction of such wrongdoers, the gods corrupt their water, sun, fire, wind, and earth. Those who consume what is impure, having acted evilly, face fierce calamities that lead to death. But for those noble souls who please the gods and then partake of the sacrificial remainder, blessed worlds are granted. The gods reflected among themselves: “None of this exists without the establishment of the day. How, then, can the creation of the day occur?” Thus, they deliberated in concern, fearing the cessation of sacrifice. As the assembled gods pondered, Prajapati addressed them: “Power is subdued only by greater power, and austerity by greater austerity. Listen, O immortals. By the greatness of a devoted wife, the sun does not rise. Because the sun remains still, hunger afflicts both mortals and you, the gods. Therefore, approach that devoted and ascetic wife, the wife of Bhanu, and propitiate her, so that the sun may rise.” Heeding this counsel, the gods went to the devoted wife and earnestly entreated her: “Let the day be as before, let the sunrise occur as before.” Anasuya, the revered wife of Atri, responded: “How could the greatness of a devoted wife be diminished? Yet, honoring that virtuous woman, I shall create the day, O gods.” She assured them that just as the cycle of day and night returns, so too will the husband of a virtuous woman never come to ruin. Having spoken thus, Anasuya returned to her residence. After being greeted and asked about her well-being, she inquired after the righteousness of her host and herself. She asked, “Are you happy, O blessed one, from seeing your husband’s face? And do you consider your husband superior to all the gods? It is solely through service to my husband that I have attained great merit and the fruits of all desires, overcoming all obstacles.” Anasuya continued, “O virtuous one! A person should always give five offerings daily and, according to one’s class and duty, accumulate wealth. When wealth is obtained, it should be distributed properly to the deserving. One should always be endowed with truth, honesty, austerity, charity, and compassion. Actions prescribed by the scriptures, free from attachment and aversion, should be performed daily with faith and to the best of one’s ability. One attains only those worlds prescribed for their own birth, and with great effort, may reach the worlds beginning with that of Prajapati, in due order. But women, by serving their husbands, take away half the merit of all the virtuous deeds arduously earned by men. There is no separate sacrifice, no ancestral offering, nor fasting for women; by serving their husbands alone, they attain the desired worlds. Therefore, O greatly fortunate one, always keep your mind intent on serving your husband, for the husband is the highest goal. Whatever worship or honor a husband performs for the gods or ancestors, a devoted wife of undivided mind partakes in half of that merit solely by serving her husband.” Hearing these words and honoring Anasuya with due respect, the lady replied: “I am blessed, I am favored, and even the gods have looked upon me, for you, naturally auspicious one, have again strengthened my faith. I know this: there is no path for women equal to that of the husband; his affection brings benefit in this world and the next. Through the favor of her husband, both here and after death, a woman attains happiness; for the husband is indeed the deity for a wife. Therefore, O greatly fortunate one, now that you have come to my house, tell me, O noble lady, what I should do for you, or what you would have me do.” Anasuya then revealed the purpose of her visit: “These gods, along with Indra, came to me in distress, having been deprived of their meritorious deeds because both day and night have ceased. They continually beg for the uninterrupted course of day and night as before; I have come for that purpose—now listen to my words. Because of the absence of days, all sacrificial rites have ceased; and without those, O ascetic, the gods do not receive nourishment. With the cessation of day, all actions come to an end; from that cessation, due to lack of rain, the world will face destruction. Therefore, if you wish to rescue the world from calamity, O virtuous one, be gracious—let the sun sustain the worlds as before.” Thus, through the interplay of devotion, sacrifice, and cosmic order, the gods, mortals, and the devoted wives all played their essential roles in upholding the harmony of the universe.