In the midst of a grand sacrificial gathering, the gods eagerly took their allotted portions from the sacrificial animals. Yet, as they waited for their share of the offerings, impatience grew among them due to the delay. They voiced their concern, reminding all present that a sacrifice performed outside its proper time bears no fruit, as declared by the wise and upheld in the Vedas. Meanwhile, the Prāvargya rite was underway, conducted by Brahmins well-versed in Vedic knowledge. The Adhvaryu priest prepared the ritual with two measures of milk and clarified butter. However, when the twice-born Brahmins were summoned to participate, they did not come, even though the offering was being readied. Witnessing this disregard, the presiding goddess was filled with anger. Turning to Brahmā, who sat silent amid the assembly, the goddess confronted him, asking, “O god, is this act you have committed proper?” She accused him of abandoning her out of desire, declaring that the new wife he had chosen was not even equal to the dust beneath her feet. She urged Brahmā to act according to the wishes of the council, for the assembled people were like lords and their command should be followed. With deep disappointment, she reproached Brahmā for his pursuit of beauty, an act condemned by the world. She pointed out that he had shown no shame before his sons and grandsons, despite being the grandsire of the gods and the great-grandfather of the sages. She lamented the disgraceful deed done in the midst of the world, which had dishonored both herself and Brahmā. Resigned, she said, “If this is your firm resolve, then remain, O god. I bow to you, but how shall I show my face to my friends?” She wondered how she could speak of her husband keeping her as his wife after such an act. Brahmā replied, explaining that, urged by the priests, he had come quickly after the consecration period, for without a wife, the sacrifice could not be performed. Śakra had brought a wife for him, and Viṣṇu had given her to him. Brahmā pleaded for forgiveness, promising not to commit any further offense, and bowed at her feet. Pulastya, the sage, then recounted how the goddess, still enraged, prepared to curse Brahmā. She invoked the power of her austerities and the favor of her teachers, declaring that henceforth, among all assemblies of Brahmins and in all places, Brahmins would never worship Brahmā except for one annual worship in the month of Kārtika. She proclaimed that all the twice-born on earth would observe only that worship and no other. Having spoken thus to Brahmā, she turned to Śatakratu (Indra), who was present. She rebuked him for bringing the cowherd woman to Brahmā, saying he would suffer the consequences of his petty act. She foretold that when Indra stood in battle, he would be bound by his enemies and brought to a wretched state, dwelling in their city, bereft of strength and suffering great defeat, though he would eventually be released. Next, the goddess addressed Viṣṇu, declaring that when he would be born as a mortal by the word of Bhṛgu, he would experience the sorrow of separation from his wife, who would be taken by his enemy across the great ocean. She prophesied that when Viṣṇu would be born in the Yadu lineage as Krishna, he would endure servitude among animals and wander for a long time. Then, when Rudra was present in the Daru forest, the sages, angered by his actions, cursed him. They called him Kapalika, a lowly one, and condemned his desire for their wives, declaring that his proud organ would fall to the ground. Deprived of manhood and afflicted by their curse, Rudra’s wife would console him at the gate of the Ganga. Turning to Agni, the goddess remembered how he consumed all things and had been created by her son Bhrigu, ever devoted to dharma. She questioned how she, once burned, could now burn others. She foretold that Rudra would flood Agni with his seed, and among impure things, Agni’s tongue of flame would blaze even more. Savitri then cursed all the Brahmins and officiating priests. For the sake of accepting gifts and fire-offerings, they would wander the forests in vain. Out of greed, they would frequent holy places and fields, always satisfied with others’ food but never content in their own homes. By performing sacrifices for the unworthy, accepting disgraceful gifts, and acquiring wealth in vain, their expenditures would also be in vain. She declared that because of this, they would become like the dead among the dead, leaving no doubt about their fate. Thus, Savitri cursed Indra, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Agni, Brahmā, and all the Brahmins with her wrath. Having pronounced her curse, she departed from the assembly. She journeyed to the foremost Pushkara, where she remained. Lakshmi, the virtuous wife of Śakra with a beautiful face, then addressed Savitri. Lakshmi spoke to the young women present, saying, “I will not stay here in this assembly; I will go where I do not hear any sound.” Following this, all the women returned to their own homes. Savitri, still angered, was ready to curse them as well. She declared that because those divine women had abandoned her and departed, she would curse them in her rage. She proclaimed that Lakshmi would never dwell in one place, but would be fickle, of wavering mind, and would remain among the foolish. Thus, in her anger and disappointment, Savitri pronounced her curses upon gods, sages, priests, and divine women, forever altering the fate of those who had wronged her.