Even those who were without children would have no cause for sorrow, for at that very moment, Gauri, awakened by the power of Gayatri, was filled with joy and contentment. Noble-minded and gracious, she began to grant boons, desiring the successful completion of the great sacrifice. She, beloved of Brahma, now shone with divine radiance. Seeing Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas, bestowing blessings in this way, Rudra himself bowed down before her in reverence and offered his praise. He spoke with devotion, saying, “O mother of the Vedas, purified by the sacred eight syllables, I bow to you. O Gayatri, who carries all across difficulties, who is the very essence of speech and sevenfold in form, I offer you my salutations. “All hymns of praise, all songs, all syllables and their characteristics, all commentaries and treatises—indeed, whatever disciplines exist—O goddess, all these are your manifestations. I bow to you again and again. “You are white and radiant, with a face as lovely as the moon. Your broad arms are as soft as the heart 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 garment. Around your neck gleams a necklace bright as moonbeams, and divine earrings beautify both your ears. “Your face shines with the radiance of the full moon. Upon your head rests a pure crown and your hair is splendidly arranged. Your arms, adorned with celestial ornaments, are graceful as the coils of a serpent. O goddess, your breasts are lovely, round, and even. “Your waist, marked by three graceful folds, is most beautiful, and you are proud of your shining hips. Your navel is deep and pleasing to behold, set in your graceful middle. O goddess with broad hips, lovely thighs, and a beautiful face, your shapely thighs, well-formed knees, and beautiful feet complete your divine form. “You are the sustainer of the three worlds, and on earth, all your requests are fulfilled. O most fortunate and best-complexioned one, you are the granter of boons. Whoever undertakes a pilgrimage to Pushkara and beholds you will indeed be blessed. In the month of Jyeshtha, on the full moon, you will receive the foremost worship. “All those who, knowing your glory, worship you—nothing will be difficult for them, whether they seek sons or wealth. For those lost in wildernesses, in deep forests, in 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 the gods, Gayatri, the supreme woman. “You are victory and triumph, nourishment, patience, and compassion. You are ever the younger sister of Savitri and the active force of the grandsire. Of many forms, of universal form, beautiful-eyed, and ever-celibate, you are the lovely, wide-eyed protector of devotees. “In cities and holy places, in hermitages, O noble-faced one, your dwelling is in forests and groves as well. In all the seats of Brahma, you are situated to his left; to the right is Savitri, and in the center is Brahma, the grandsire. “You are the altar within sacrifices and the fee for priests. You are accomplishment for kings, and the very boundary of the ocean is yours. The initiation of the celibate and the highest splendor are yours. You are the radiance of the stars, O goddess, and Lakshmi abiding in Narayana. “You are patience and accomplishment for sages, and Rohini among the stars; you are present at royal gates, at holy places, and at the confluences of rivers. You are the full moon on the night of the full moon, wisdom in policy, patience, and steadfastness. Among women, you are called Umadevi, O one of excellent complexion. “You are the beautiful vision of Indra, accompanying his thousand eyes; you are the righteous mind of sages and the supreme goal of the gods. You are Sita 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 Kartika, on the full moon, you are especially worshipped. You are the goddess who grants all desires and bestows auspiciousness. Whoever recites or hears this hymn repeatedly will attain success in all aims—there is no doubt. “Hearing these words, Gayatri replied, ‘So it shall be, just as you have spoken, my son.’” Bhishma then said, “O Brahman, I have heard this most wondrous account in truth. It was here that the consecration of Gayatri took place in the assembly. I have also heard of the opposition by Savitri and the granting of curses, as well as how the goddess was praised by Vishnu everywhere. “The radiant Gayatri was praised by Rudra, and upon hearing this, the Supreme Soul recounted everything in detail to Brahma. My hair stood on end with joy, my mind became peaceful, and upon hearing this, I felt supreme delight and great curiosity. “The blessed Narayana, having composed that supreme hymn with devotion for the wife of Brahma, placed it upon the mountain. Then Vishnu spoke words that bestow satisfaction and nourishment to the illustrious, modest, and sovereign goddess. “O Brahma, this is what I have heard from your own mouth: what happened afterward and what was done at that place. O Blessed One, you ought to recount all of that in order; by hearing it, my body will be purified—there is no doubt.