At that sacred gathering, all the holy rivers, wells, reservoirs, ponds, lakes, and every kind of pool were present, their waters converging in divine assembly. The principal springs and countless celestial lakes joined them, as did all reservoirs and the seven great oceans, each manifest in that extraordinary place. There, too, were gathered the seven worlds, the seven nether regions, and the seven continents with their cities, along with offerings of salt, sugarcane, wine, ghee, curd, milk, and water. Every kind of tree, vine, grass, vegetable, and fruit was present, as were the five elements: earth, air, space, water, and fire. All embodied beings assembled, together with the treatises on dharma, the commentaries on the Vedas, the aphorisms, and everything else created by Brahmā. Both the formless and the formed, all that is manifest and visible, gathered for that ancestral sacrifice. In the midst of the assembly of gods and sages, Viṣṇu, the eternal, stood respectfully at the right side of Brahmā. At Brahmā’s left stood Rudra, the gracious Lord who wields the Pināka bow. There, the great-souled one selected the priests for the sacrifice: Bhṛgu was chosen as the hotṛ priest, Pulastya as the adhvaryu, Marīci as the udgātṛ, and Nārada as the brahman priest. Sanatkumāra and others became the sadasyas; the progenitors, beginning with Dakṣa, and all the classes, with the brāhmaṇas at the forefront, were present. Near Brahmā, the priests were arranged, adorned in fine garments and ornaments, their array directed by Vaiśravaṇa. The twice-born were resplendent, wearing rings, bracelets, and crowns; altogether, there were sixteen priests—four, then two, and ten more. Brahmā himself honored them all with deep reverence, instructing everyone to show them respect during the sacrifice. Brahmā then proclaimed, “This Sāvitrī is my wife; you, O twice-born, are my refuge.” Viśvakarman was summoned, and the ritual shaving of Brahmā’s head was performed by the best of the twice-born, as prescribed. Linen garments were fashioned for the divine couple by the brāhmaṇas. The air resounded with the sacred recitation of the Vedas, as the brāhmaṇas filled heaven with their voices. The kṣatriyas, armed and vigilant, protected the world. The vaiśyas prepared a rich variety of foods, crafting dishes of great flavor and abundance. Witnessing marvels never before seen or heard, Prajāpati was pleased and, in his delight, gave the vaiśyas the name Prāgvāṭa. The śūdras devoted themselves to service: washing the feet of the twice-born, providing food, and cleaning up the leftovers. Thus they acted, and the Grandsire said to them, “For the sake of service, I have assigned you to the fourth station.” He instructed that service should be rendered by them and others like them to the twice-born, to kṣatriya kin, and to relatives, and he established this order. Brahmā appointed Indra as the doorkeeper, Varuna as the giver of waters, Kubera as the bestower of wealth, and Vayu as the bringer of fragrance. Surya was set as the illuminator, Madhava held authority, and Soma, the giver of soma, was stationed on the left side of their path. At this moment, Sāvitrī, the noble wife, was summoned by the officiating priest: “Come, O goddess, with haste.” All the fires were kindled for the initiation, but Sāvitrī, delayed by her womanly nature, had not yet arrived to perform her duties. She explained her absence: “I have not decorated the door, nor made intricate designs on the wall, nor placed auspicious marks in the courtyard. I have not washed the vessels, and even Lakshmi, the wife of Nārāyaṇa, has not yet arrived.” She continued, “Swaha is the wife of Agni, Dhumrorna is Yama’s, Varuni is Varuna’s, Gauri is Vayu’s, and Suprabha as well. Riddhi is the wife of Kubera, Gauri is beloved of Shiva; Medha, Shraddha, Vibhuti, Anasuya, Dhriti, and Kshama are also present. Yet Ganga and Sarasvati have not come, nor have the maidens; Indrani, Chandra’s wife, and Rohini, the Moon’s beloved, are also absent. Arundhati, wife of Vasishtha, and the wives of the seven sages, Anasuya, wife of Atri, and other women are here, but many brides, daughters, friends, and sisters have not yet arrived. I have been waiting here for a long time.” Resolute, Sāvitrī declared, “I will not go alone until those women arrive. Go and tell Brahmā, and wait a moment. I will come quickly with all of them, surrounded by the gods in splendor. You will attain the highest, and so will I, without doubt.” Thus, the officiating priest left Brahmā and returned. Sāvitrī, absorbed in her household tasks and distressed, said, “Until my friends arrive, I cannot come.” She added, “Thus I have been told, O god, and time is passing; do as you see fit today, O Grandfather.” Hearing this, Brahmā, with some anger, said, “Bring another wife here quickly for me, O Indra. Just as a sacrifice cannot proceed without the proper time, so you must quickly decide and bring some woman. Until the completion of the sacrifice, do not let your mind dwell on her; after the rite is finished, I will release her again.