Those who, after pleasing the gods through sacrifice, partake of the consecrated remnants themselves, are granted blessed worlds by the gods, for such souls are truly noble and worthy. Yet, the gods reflected among themselves, pondering, “None of this creation, nor any of these rites, can exist without the establishment of day. How, then, could the day come into being?” They were troubled, fearing the cessation of sacrifice and the disruption of cosmic order. As the assembled deities discussed these matters, Prajapati, the lord of creatures, addressed them with wisdom. “Power is subdued only by greater power, and austerity by greater austerity. Therefore, O immortals, listen well: The sun does not rise by the greatness of the devoted wife, and because he remains unseen, hunger afflicts both mortals and gods alike. If you wish the sun to rise and day to return, you must approach and propitiate the devoted and ascetic wife—the wife of Bhanu. Only by her favor can the sun return to his course.” Heeding Prajapati’s words, the gods went to this noble woman and pleaded, “Let the day be as before. Let the sunrise occur as it once did.” The virtuous Anasuya responded, “How could the greatness of a devoted wife ever be diminished? Therefore, honoring that virtuous woman, I shall create the day, O gods.” She assured them that just as the cycle of day and night arises again without fail, so too does the husband of a virtuous woman never come to ruin. Having spoken thus, Anasuya returned to her residence. Upon being welcomed and asked after her well-being, she inquired after the righteousness of her host’s husband and herself. Turning to the blessed wife, Anasuya gently asked, “Are you happy, O blessed one, from seeing your husband’s face? Do you regard your husband as superior to all the gods?” She continued, “It is solely through service to my husband that I have attained great merit. By obtaining the fruits of all desires, all obstacles have been removed from my path. O virtuous one, a person should always offer five daily sacrifices, and in accordance with one’s class and duty, accumulate wealth. When wealth is obtained, it should be properly distributed to the deserving. One should always uphold 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. Each person 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 their husbands. There is no separate sacrifice, no ancestral offering, nor fasting required for women; by serving their husbands alone, they attain the worlds they desire. Therefore, O virtuous and greatly fortunate one, you should 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 woman of undivided mind partakes in half of that merit solely by serving her husband.” Hearing these words, the blessed wife honored Anasuya with due respect and 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 explained, “These gods, along with Indra, came to me in distress, having been deprived of their meritorious deeds by your account, both day and night. 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.” The Brahmani replied, “By Mandavya’s curse, O noble lady, my husband, the lord, was condemned in anger: ‘Without sunrise, you will meet your end.’” Anasuya compassionately offered, “If it pleases you, O blessed one, then at your request I shall restore things as before, and give you a new husband. For in every way, O lovely one, I honor the greatness of women, especially the devotion of the faithful wife.” With the Brahmani’s agreement, the ascetic Anasuya invoked the Sun, offering arghya at night on the tenth day. Then the blessed Vivasvat, radiant as a blossoming red lotus, ascended the mountain king with his great orb, restoring the sunrise. Yet, at that very moment, the Brahmani’s husband fell lifeless to the ground, and she caught him as he fell. Anasuya comforted her, saying, “Do not grieve, O blessed one! Witness my power—by serving your husband, what fruit of austerity have you not gained? As I have never seen any man equal to my husband in beauty, character, wisdom, or sweetness of speech, by that truth, may this Brahmin be freed from disease, become youthful again, and live a hundred years with his wife. As I see no deity equal to my husband, by that truth, may this Brahmin regain youth and health.” Thus, by Anasuya’s truth and power, balance was restored, the sun shone again, and the world was saved from calamity through the greatness of devoted wives.