Of many forms and the universal form, with beautiful, wide eyes and a lovely, noble face, you are ever-celibate and the protector of your devotees. O great goddess, your presence graces cities and holy places, hermitages and forests, groves and sacred grounds alike. In all the seats of Brahma, you are established at his left, with Sāvitrī at his right and Brahma, the grandsire, in the center. Within sacrifices, you are the altar itself and the fee given to priests; you are the accomplishment of kings, and the very boundary of the ocean belongs to you. The initiation of the celibate and the highest splendor are yours, as is the radiance of the stars. O goddess Lakṣmī, abiding in Nārāyaṇa, you are patience and accomplishment for sages, Rohiṇī among the stars, and you dwell at royal gates, holy places, and the sacred confluences of rivers. You are the full moon on the night of its fullness, wisdom in policy, patience, and steadfastness. Among women, you are called Umādevī, 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. Among farmers, you are Sītā; among beings, you are the earth itself. 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 revered. 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. Gāyatrī herself affirmed: “It will indeed be so, just as you have spoken, my son.” Bhīṣma, deeply moved, said: “O Brahman, I have heard this wondrous account in truth—the consecration of Gāyatrī performed here in the assembly. I have heard, too, of Sāvitrī’s opposition and the granting of curses, and how the goddess was praised by Viṣṇu everywhere. Rudra praised radiant Gāyatrī, and the Supreme Soul recounted all this in detail to Brahma. My hair stands on end with joy, my mind is at peace, and I feel supreme delight and great curiosity. The blessed Nārāyaṇa, having composed that supreme hymn to Brahma’s consort with devotion, placed it upon the mountain. Then Viṣṇu spoke words of satisfaction and nourishment to the illustrious, modest, and sovereign goddess. O Brahma, I have heard from your mouth what happened; please recount what followed and what was done in that place. By hearing it, my body will be purified—of this I have no doubt.” Pulastya replied: “While that supreme god was performing sacrifice at Pushkara, O king, listen now to this marvelous account of what happened before. In the beginning, in the Krita Yuga, when the Grandfather Brahma was the sacrificer, the great sages Marichi, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu—together with Daksha, lord of creatures, all adorned with every ornament—offered their salutations, shining brightly. The hosts of Apsaras danced before Viṣṇu, lord of the gods; accompanied by the music of Gandharvas, they delighted in the sky. Many Gandharvas sang together: Tumburu, Mahashruti, Citrarathasena, Urnayu, and Anagha; Gomayu, Suryavarchas, Somavarchas, Trinayu, Nandi, and Citraratha. Shalishira was the thirteenth, Parjanya the fourteenth, Kali the fifteenth, and Taraka the sixteenth. Hāhā and Hūhū the Gandharvas, and Hamsa of great brilliance, all sang to the Lord. The celestial Apsaras danced before that Lord, while Dhata, Aryaman, Savita, Varuna, Ansha, and Bhaga—along with Indra, Vivasvan, Pushan, Tvashtri, and Parjanya—stood there, these twelve Adityas blazing with radiant energy. The lords of the gods offered salutations to the Grandfather: Mrigavyadha, Sharva, and the illustrious Nirriti; Ajaikapada, Ahirbudhnya, Pinaki the unconquered, Bhava, Vishveshvara, and Kapardi. There stood the blessed Sthāṇu, Bhaga, and the Rudras; the two Aśvins, the eight Vasus, and the mighty Maruts. The Viśvadevas and the Sādhyas stood there with joined palms, as did the great serpents beginning with Śeṣa and headed by Vāsuki. Kāśyapa, Kambala, and the mighty Takṣaka—these noble serpents stood before him, palms joined. Tārkṣya, Ariṣṭanemi, and the mighty Garuḍa were present, as well as Vāruṇi, Āruṇi, and the sons of Vinatā. The blessed Nārāyaṇa himself, lord of the worlds, arrived and addressed the glorious preceptor of the worlds, together with all the great sages: ‘By you this entire universe is pervaded; by you, O Lord of the world, it is created. Therefore, you are the Lord of all beings, O Lotus-born; obeisance to you. Whatever task is to be done here by me, instruct me in that.’ Thus spoke the blessed Lord, together with the divine sages. Having bowed to Brahmā, Lord of the gods and of unmanifest birth, Viṣṇu stood there, and Brahmā illumined all the directions with his radiance.