The beauty of the maiden was such that even the finest lotus could not compare to the evenness of her eyes, and only the purest water in a conch shell could serve as a likeness for her conch-shaped ears. Her lower lip outshone coral itself, and it seemed as if nectar streamed forth from her very being, radiating sweetness and charm without doubt. In her heart, this cowherd maiden pondered deeply: “If, in hundreds of past lives, I have performed any virtuous act, then by the merit of those deeds, may this man whom I so desire become my husband once more.” Absorbed in these thoughts, she remained lost to the world. At that very moment, Brahmā, seeking to complete the great sacrifice, approached Hari and spoke swiftly. “O Lord, this blessed goddess is named Gāyatrī.” Hearing this, Viṣṇu addressed Brahmā: “Therefore, O Lord of the world, take her as your wife today. I have given her to you; marry her by the gāndharva rite, and do not delay in your decision.” Encouraged thus, Brahmā, the grandsire, took her hand without hesitation and married her according to the gāndharva custom. Having thus obtained Gāyatrī as his wife, Brahmā spoke to the chief officiating priest, instructing him, “She has become my wife; settle her in my house.” The priests, learned in the Vedas, led the young girl—adorned with deer-horn ornaments and veiled in linen cloth—to the house of wives. Brahmā himself, radiant in his own splendor, carried a staff of udumbara wood and was covered in a deerskin as he presided over the great sacrifice. The Brahmins, together with Bhṛgu, commenced the sacrifice at Puṣkara, performing every ritual as prescribed in the Vedas. That immense sacrifice endured for a thousand ages. At this point, Bhīṣma inquired with great curiosity: “O best of twice-born, what wonders took place at that sacrifice? How were Rudra and Viṣṇu present? What did Gāyatrī, the daughter of the Ābhīras, do as wife? And what did the wise ones understand and accomplish there? Tell me all, as it truly happened, both among the Ābhīras and the Brāhmaṇas.” Pulastya replied, “O king, listen attentively as I recount all the marvels of that sacrifice. Rudra performed a great wonder, entering the assembly in a censurable form before the Brahmins. Viṣṇu, however, did nothing, remaining in a subordinate role. The cowherd boys, aware of the cowherd maiden’s loss, did not approve of the events. All the cowherd women gathered before Brahmā, seeing Gāyatrī standing at the sacrificial boundary, girded with a belt. Her mother cried out, ‘O son!’ her father, ‘O daughter!’ her relatives, ‘O sister!’ and her friends, ‘O friend!’ They questioned her anxiously: ‘By whom have you been brought here, O beautiful one with red-lacquered feet? Who has removed your garment and dressed you in a woolen shawl? Who has adorned your matted hair with a red thread?’ Hearing these words, Lord Hari himself spoke: ‘She has been brought here by us and appointed as a wife. Brahmā himself has entrusted the girl; do not speak vainly here. She is virtuous and fortunate, a delight to her lineage. If she were not virtuous, how could she have entered this assembly? Know this, and do not grieve. This blessed girl of yours has attained union with Brahmā. Even yogis deep in meditation and Brahmins accomplished in the Vedas do not reach the state your daughter has now attained, though they long for it. Recognizing your righteousness and devotion to dharma, I have given this girl to Virinchi. With this Abhira maiden, you and your lineage will cross over to the great and divine worlds, fulfilling the gods’ purpose. I shall incarnate here as my play when Nanda and others descend to earth. At that time, I will dwell among them, and all your daughters will remain with me. There will be no fault, no hatred, and no jealousy; the cowherds will act freely, and men will have no fear. Nor will there ever be any blame upon her for this act.’ Hearing these words of Viṣṇu, the cowherds bowed down and prepared to depart. They prayed, ‘O god, let this boon you have granted truly come to pass. Let an incarnation arise in our lineage for the sake of dharma. By your very sight, we become dwellers in heaven, and this maiden, the giver of auspiciousness, will carry my lineage across.’ Viṣṇu replied, ‘So be it, Lord of gods.’ Thus, the cowherds were appeased by Lord Viṣṇu himself. In the same manner, Brahmā also addressed the assembly, his left hand raised. Gāyatrī, modest before her relatives, stood in their sight. She spoke: ‘By whom have I been named, and by whom have I come here?’ With her left hand, she bowed before them all and said, ‘Here I stand, mother, having approached Brahmā. I have obtained as husband the god, the ancient lord of all worlds. Do not grieve for me—neither you, my father, nor my relatives. Let my circle of friends, my sisters and their children, depart in peace. Convey my well-being to all, for I remain here among the gods.’ When all her loved ones had departed, Gāyatrī, radiant in her beauty, entered the sacrificial enclosure, shining together with Brahmā as his consort.