O king, when preparing the image of Brahmā for worship, one should place the form of Gāyatrī on his right side, the attendant on his left, and a lotus before him. With the joyous sounds of musical instruments and the resounding blasts of conches, the chariot bearing the deity should be led in a clockwise procession throughout the city. After this, the deity must be installed in its proper place, and the ceremonial waving of lights should be performed. Whoever undertakes this sacred procession, or even witnesses it with devotion, is greatly blessed. Those who draw the chariot in this festival attain Brahmā’s own abode. Likewise, whoever kindles lamps on the new moon of Kārtika, or worships himself in Brahmā’s hall with fragrant flowers, new garments, and offerings, attains the supreme state. On that first day, this person reaches Brahmā’s realm. It is a highly auspicious guest day, established long ago by King Bali. This day, known as Bāleyī, is always especially dear to Brahmā, and those who worship both Brahmā and themselves on this day are praised. Such devotees attain the supreme place of Vishnu, radiant and immeasurable. In the month of Caitra, the very first day is supremely auspicious. On that day, even if one touches a Śvapaca—a person of low status—and then bathes, all sin, distress, and disease are removed. Therefore, O best of the Kurus, one should bathe on this day. The divine ritual of waving lights is said to destroy all diseases. All items obtained from cows, buffaloes, and similar animals should be gathered, and with those, a garland should be placed at the entrance. Food should be prepared for the Brahmins as well. These three guest days—of Kārtika, Āśvayuja, and Caitra—were declared in ancient times. Yet, bathing and giving gifts on the Kārtika day is a hundred times more fruitful than on the others. The day of King Bali is auspicious and brings benefits even to animals. Then Gāyatrī spoke, recalling what Savitri had once told the lotus-born Brahmā: There are Brahmins who will never perform worship, but those who hear my words and perform the prescribed ritual, after enjoying worldly pleasures, will ultimately attain liberation. Knowing this highest truth, the satisfied one grants a boon. Then Indra spoke, granting a boon: "In battle, I will grant you victory over your enemies. After you go to the enemy’s abode, Brahmā will free you. You will regain your lost city after defeating the foe, and supreme joy will be yours. Your great kingdom in the three worlds will be untroubled. When you incarnate as Vishnu on earth, you and your brother will suffer much due to the abduction of your wife. But after slaying the enemy, you will reclaim her in the presence of the gods, rule once more, and then ascend to heaven. For eleven thousand years, you will dwell in heaven, your fame spreading throughout the world, cherished by all people. The worlds called Sāntānika will remain established, and in your form as Rāma, you will deliver humankind." Next, Gāyatrī addressed Rudra, the granter of boons: "Even if your liṅga has fallen, those who worship it are purified, perform virtuous deeds, and attain heaven—a state not reached even by Agnihotra or sacrifice into the fire. The state gained by worshipping your liṅga cannot be attained otherwise. Those who worship your liṅga with bilva leaves on the banks of the Gaṅgā, especially in the early morning, become partakers in Rudra’s world. With devotion to Śarva, O Agni, one becomes pure. "When you are pleased, all the gods are pleased—there is no doubt. Through you, the gods are satisfied by the offerings, and when you are pleased, so are they. They partake of the oblation, as the Vedas declare. Gāyatrī spoke these words to the Brahmins and all present: By pleasing you, O Brahmins, all men at holy places will attain the realm called Vairāja—of this there is no doubt. "By giving various kinds of food and gifts, and by pleasing you during śrāddha rites, men become like the gods of gods. Among you, the best of Brahmins, the gods in heaven quickly partake of the oblation, and the ancestors too enjoy their offerings. You are indeed capable of upholding the three worlds, and by a single act of breath-control, you are purified. "Especially by bathing at Puṣkara and reciting me, the mother of the Vedas, you best of the twice-born will not incur the faults of accepting gifts. At Puṣkara, by giving food, all the deities are pleased, and by feeding even one Brahmin, the fruit is equal to feeding a crore. By giving wealth into your hands, all men destroy sins such as brahmahatyā and other misdeeds. By reciting my mantra and by three acts of worship, the sin equal to brahmahatyā is destroyed at once. "Sin accumulated over ten births, committed a hundred times, or even over three yugas and a thousand years—Gāyatrī destroys all that sin. Knowing this, always recite my japa and be purified—there is no doubt, nor need for further deliberation. By reciting the praṇava with its three measures, especially together with me, all are purified. Recite me along with the head. "I am established in the eight-syllabled mantra, and this world is pervaded by me. I am the mother of all the Vedas, adorned with all their words.