Now, let me recount the further exchange between Savitri and Brahma, a debate that unfolded with playful words yet carried great weight. After Savitri had departed, all the divine women gathered together. Among them was Lakshmi, the illustrious wife of Vishnu, herself born from the fame of Bhrigu. Lakshmi, ever invited, arrived swiftly. She was joined by Madira, radiant with good fortune, and Yoganidra, the bestower of prosperity. Sri, the goddess who dwells in lotuses, came as well, along with Bhuti, Kirti, Shraddha the wise, Pushti, and Tushti—the givers of nourishment. Sati, daughter of Daksha, known also as Uma and Parvati, whose beauty is famed throughout the three worlds and who brings good fortune to women, was present too. Jaya and Vijaya, Madhuchhanda, Amaravati, Supriya, and Janakanta—all these noble goddesses entered the auspicious mansion of Savitri. Gauri, adorned and splendidly dressed, arrived together with Puloma’s daughter and Shakra’s wife, accompanied by the celestial Apsaras. Svaha and Svadha, Dhumorna the beautiful-faced, Yakshi, Rakshasi, and the wealthy Gauri all came. Manojava, wife of Vayu, Riddhi beloved of Kubera, the daughters of the gods, and the wives and beloveds of the Danavas joined them. The noble wives of the seven sages, the virtuous women of the rishis, their sisters and daughters, and groups of Vidyadhari maidens likewise assembled. Rakshasi women, daughters of the Pitris, and the other mothers of the worlds, with brides and daughters-in-law, all wished to accompany Savitri. All the Adityas and the daughters of Daksha gathered as well. In their midst, the virtuous Brahmani, who dwells in lotuses, proceeded, surrounded by these divine women. Some carried sweetmeats, others brought winnowing baskets, and one with a beautiful face bore a vessel filled with fruit as they made their way toward Brahma. Some carried containers filled with roasted grains, others brought pomegranates and splendid citrons. Still others took karira fruits and lotuses, kusumbhaka, cumin, and dates. Some brought the finest coconuts, vessels filled with grapes, and the srngataka fruit. Fragrant camphor, auspicious rose-apples, walnuts, amalaki fruits, and lemons were also brought. Some brought ripe bilva fruits and cipiṭa, while others with lovely faces carried cotton tufts and garments of kusumbhaka cloth. In this way, performing various auspicious acts and carrying offerings in winnowing baskets, all the noble-faced women, together with Savitri, suddenly arrived, their appearance radiant and auspicious. When Indra saw Savitri’s arrival, he was filled with fear. Brahma stood with his head bowed, wondering anxiously, “What will she say to me?” Vishnu and Rudra, too, were embarrassed, as were all the other twice-born, the members of the assembly, and the gods present. Sons, grandsons, nephews, maternal uncles, brothers, and the Rbhus—the gods who are themselves revered among the gods—all stood there in discomfort, wondering what Savitri would say. Savitri stood by Brahma’s side, yet she was, in truth, a cowherd maiden. She fell silent, listening to the words spoken by all. Though she was summoned by the Adhvaryu priest, this woman of excellent complexion did not come. Another woman, brought by Shakra from the Abhiras, was given to Vishnu himself; approved by Rudra and given by her own father, she too was present. The question arose: how could this woman participate in the sacrifice, or how would the ritual be completed? As this was pondered, the Lotus-born Brahma entered. Brahma was surrounded by the assembly, officiating priests, and gods. There, the sacred fires were being kindled by Brahmanas learned in the Vedas. The cowherd woman stood in the pavilion reserved for wives, adorned with a girdle of sheep’s wool, clothed in linen garments, her mind absorbed in meditation on the supreme state. She was devoted to her husband, her very life centered on him, foremost among women, endowed with beauty, wide-eyed, and radiant like the sun. Her radiance illuminated the assembly like sunlight, and the officiating priests approached the blazing fire. As the gods joyfully took their respective portions of the sacrificial animals, they grew restless for their share, and spoke up because of the delay: “A sacrifice performed out of time should not be done, for what is done then bears no fruit; such is the rule known to the wise in the Vedas.” As the Prāvargya rite was being performed by learned Brahmanas, with two measures of milk and clarified butter offered by the Adhvaryu, the twice-born did not come when summoned. As the offering was being prepared, the goddess became angry at this neglect. In the midst of the assembly, the goddess spoke to Brahma, who remained silent: “O god, is this act proper, this thing you have done? Having abandoned me out of desire, you have committed a sin; this one whom you have made your wife is not even equal to the dust of my feet. Do as all the people assembled here in the council say, for they are like lords; act according to their command if you wish. Because of your desire for beauty, you have done what is condemned by the world; you have shown no shame before your sons or grandsons, O Lord. This act, done out of desire, is considered blameworthy; you are the grandsire of the gods and the great-grandfather of the sages. How did you not feel shame, seeing your own body, having done this disgraceful deed in the midst of the world? I too have been dishonored, O Lord.” Thus, the assembly was filled with tension and the words of Savitri resounded, bearing witness to the gravity of Brahma’s actions and the deep sense of honor and righteousness upheld by the goddess.