O king, all items derived from cows, buffaloes, and similar creatures should be gathered together. With these, as well as with cloth and other worthy offerings, a garland should be placed at the entrance, marking the occasion with auspiciousness. Moreover, it is essential to prepare food for the Brahmins, for these three guest days were established in ancient times as sacred, O joy of the Kurus. In the months of Kārtika, Āśvayuja, and Caitra, bathing and giving gifts are highly meritorious, but especially on the day of Kārtika, the rewards are a hundredfold, O king. The day of King Bali, in particular, brings auspiciousness and benefit even to animals. At this time, Gayatri recounted what Savitri had once spoken to the lotus-born Brahma. She explained that those Brahmins who do not follow the prescribed worship will not gain the benefits, but those who listen to her words and perform the rituals will, after enjoying pleasures in this world, ultimately attain liberation. This is the highest vision—those who are satisfied by this knowledge receive a boon. Then, Indra granted a boon: in battle, he would grant victory over enemies. Brahma promised that, after entering the enemy's realm, liberation would be given. The city that was lost would be regained, the enemies destroyed, and supreme joy restored; the great kingdom would be free of obstacles in all the three worlds. When you, O king, are born as Vishnu in the mortal world, you and your brother will endure great suffering due to the abduction of your wife. Yet, after slaying the enemy, you will regain your wife in the presence of the gods. With her, you will resume your rule, and eventually ascend to heaven. For eleven thousand years, you will dwell in heaven, your fame spreading widely, cherished by all people. The worlds known as Sāntānika will remain established, and through you, O god, men will be delivered in the form of Rama. Thereafter, Gayatri spoke to Rudra, the giver of boons, saying: “Even when your liṅga has fallen, those who worship it are purified, become virtuous, and attain the world of heaven—a state not achieved even by Agnihotra or fire sacrifice. The state attained by worshipping your liṅga cannot be reached otherwise. Those who worship your liṅga on the banks of the Ganga with bilva leaves, especially in the early morning, become partakers in Rudra’s world. Attaining devotion to Śarva, even Agni himself becomes pure.” “When you are pleased, all the gods are pleased without doubt. Through you, the gods are satisfied by offerings; when you are pleased, so too are they. They partake of the oblation, just as the Vedas declare. Thus Gayatri spoke to the Brahmins and to all present.” “By pleasing you, O Brahmins, at all holy places, people will attain the realm called Vairāja—there is no doubt. By giving many kinds of food and gifts, and by honoring you at śrāddha rites, they become like the gods of gods. Among such Brahmins, the gods in heaven quickly partake of the oblations, and the ancestors receive the ancestral offerings.” “You are indeed capable of upholding the three worlds—without question. By a single act of breath-control, all are purified. Especially, by bathing at Puṣkara and reciting me, the mother of the Vedas, the best of the twice-born incur no fault from accepting gifts. At Puṣkara, by giving food, all the deities are pleased. Feeding even one Brahmin there yields the fruit of feeding a crore.” “By giving wealth into your hands, all men destroy the sins of brahmahatyā and other misdeeds. By reciting my mantra and performing three acts of worship, the sin equal to brahmahatyā is destroyed instantly. Sins accumulated over ten births, committed a hundred times, or amassed over three yugas and a thousand years—Gayatri destroys them all.” “Knowing this, you will always be purified by reciting my japa—there is no doubt, nor need for hesitation. By reciting the praṇava with its three measures, especially together with me, all are purified. 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.” “Those foremost twice-born who recite me with devotion will attain success and preeminence among all. Even a self-restrained Brahmin who knows only the essence of the Gayatri is superior to one who knows all four Vedas but is unrestrained and indiscriminate in conduct.” “Because among Brahmins, a curse was given through Savitri, whatever is given or offered here becomes inexhaustible in its effect. Therefore, I grant this boon to you, O best of the twice-born: Brahmins devoted to Agnihotra, who offer at the three times, will ascend to heaven along with twenty-one generations of their lineage, just as Indra, Vishnu, Rudra, and Agni do.” “The supreme boon of Gayatri was given by Brahma to the Brahmins; having given it at Puṣkara, she remained by Brahma’s side.” At that time, the divine bards recounted the reason for Lakshmi’s curse, as well as the curses of all young women, each separately. Then, Gayatri, beloved of Brahma, granted a boon to Lakshmi: that she would always make those who are not reviled beautiful and wealthy. Gayatri declared, “You will shine, O daughter, bringing joy to all. All whom you look upon will partake of merit. But those whom you abandon will all partake of suffering; their lineage, family, conduct, and dharma—” thus she spoke, bestowing her blessings and warnings with compassion and gravity.