In the great assembly, there was a promise that those who appeared there would shine with splendor, seen and honored by kings, and the noblest among the twice-born would fulfill their wishes. Among them, true nobility would be revealed, and one was cherished as a brother, father, teacher, and dear kinsman—so much so that life itself seemed impossible without him. The sight of this beloved brought auspiciousness to the eyes and joy to the mind; such was the truth of this bond. Those who received such a gaze, accompanied by kind words, would become virtuous and hear words that brought happiness to all people. It was foretold that Nahuṣa, upon attaining the throne of Indra, would come and beg for a boon. Agastya’s compassionate gaze and words would destroy his sin. Having fallen to the state of a serpent through pride, Nahuṣa would pray to Agastya, “Through pride, I am ruined—be my refuge, O sage!” Moved by compassion, the blessed sage would reply: “A king will be born in your lineage, a delight to your family; when he sees you in your serpent form, he will break your curse.” Released from his serpent form, Nahuṣa would ascend again to heaven, and through the Ashvamedha sacrifice performed by his wife’s husband, they would return together to the celestial realm. By this boon, it was assured that all would be well. At that time, all the wives of the gods, addressed with satisfaction, were freed from sorrow—even those who had been deprived of children. Gauri, awakened by Gayatri, was filled with joy and contentment. Noble-minded, she granted boons, desiring the successful completion of the sacrifice, beloved as she was to Brahma. Seeing Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas, as the granter of boons, Rudra himself bowed down and offered his praise. He said, “O mother of the Vedas, purified by the eight syllables, I bow to you. O Gayatri, crosser of difficulties, embodiment of speech, sevenfold in form, you are all hymns, all songs, all syllables and their qualities. You are all commentaries, treatises, and every other discipline; all syllables are yours, O goddess, to you I bow. “You are of radiant white form, your face shining like the moon; your arms are broad and soft as the core of a plantain stem. In your hands, you hold a deer’s horn and a spotless lotus; you are adorned in fine silk with a red upper cloth. Around your neck gleams a necklace like moonbeams, and your ears are graced with divine earrings. Your face rivals the moon’s brilliance, crowned with a pure diadem and splendidly arranged hair. Your arms, adorned with celestial ornaments, are like the coils of a serpent. Your breasts are lovely, round, and even. “Your waist is beautiful, marked by three shining folds, and your hips are radiant with pride. Your navel is deep and pleasing, set in your graceful middle. O goddess with broad hips, lovely thighs, and a beautiful face, your shapely thighs, well-formed knees, and feet are all perfect. “You sustain the three worlds, and on earth, your wishes are always fulfilled. O most fortunate, best-complexioned one, you are the granter of boons. Whoever journeys to Pushkara and beholds you is blessed; in the month of Jyeshtha, on the full moon, you will receive the foremost worship. Those who know your glory and worship you will find nothing difficult—be it sons, wealth, or any other desire. “For those lost in wilderness, forest, or the vast ocean, or threatened by robbers, you are the supreme refuge. You are accomplishment, fortune, steadfastness, fame, modesty, knowledge, humility, wisdom; you are twilight, night, radiance, sleep, and the night of dissolution. You are Ambā and Kamalā, the mother; Brahmāṇī, the celibate; the mother of all gods, Gayatri, the supreme woman. “You are victory and triumph, nourishment, patience, and compassion; always the younger sister of Sāvitrī and the activity of the grandsire. Of many forms, of universal form, beautiful-eyed and celibate, you are of lovely form, wide-eyed, the protector of devotees. In cities, holy places, hermitages, forests, and groves, you dwell, O noble-faced goddess. “In all the seats of Brahma, you are to his left; Sāvitrī is to his right, and Brahma the grandsire sits in the middle. You are the altar within sacrifices, the fee for priests, accomplishment for kings, and the ocean’s boundary is yours. The initiation of the celibate and the highest splendor are yours; you are the radiance of the stars, O goddess, Lakṣmī abiding in Nārāyaṇa. “You are patience and accomplishment for sages, Rohiṇī among stars, present at royal gates, holy places, and river confluences. You are the full moon on the night of the full moon, wisdom in policy, patience, steadfastness; you are called Umādevī among women, O one of excellent complexion. “You are the beautiful vision of Indra, with his thousand eyes; the righteous mind of sages, and the supreme goal of the gods. You are Sītā among farmers and the earth among beings; you always grant freedom from widowhood to women and bestow wealth and grain. When worshipped, you dispel disease, death, and fear. In the month of Kārtika, on the full moon, you are especially worshipped.” Thus, with reverence and devotion, the glory of Gayatri was extolled, and her blessings assured prosperity, protection, and fulfillment to all who honored her.