Bhīṣma, filled with curiosity and devotion, approached the wise sage Pulastya with a question that weighed on his heart. “At what time,” Bhīṣma asked, “did the blessed Brahmā, creator of the worlds, first begin to perform sacrifices? Who were the priests he appointed, and what gifts did he bestow upon them? Please recount for me, exactly as it happened, the true story of the ancestral sacrifice, for I am eager to know.” Pulastya, serene and all-knowing, responded, reminding Bhīṣma that he had already described how, after Svāyambhuva Manu had created the progenitors of all beings, he was instructed to create the world. In obedience to this command, Manu himself journeyed to the sacred site of Puṣkara. There, he gathered all the materials required for the sacrifice, assembled every necessary item, and stood ready in the fire chamber to commence the great rite. As the sacrifice began, the Gandharvas sang their celestial hymns, and the Apsaras danced gracefully. Four main priests—Brahma-udgātā, hotṛ, adhvaryu, and one more—were appointed to carry out the sacrifice. Each of these priests was assisted by three attendants, who took up their roles by their own will: Brahma, the Brahmanācchaṃsī, the potā, and the agnīdhra. Further, fourfold aspects of knowledge were present: Ānvīkṣikī, all knowledge, Brāhmī, and another, with the udgātā, pratyudgātā, pratihartā, and subrahmaṇya forming the second group of four. The hotṛ, maitrāvaruṇa, acchāvāka, and grāvastut made up the third group, while the adhvaryu, pratiṣṭhātṛ, neṣṭṛ, and unnetṛ were the fourth. Thus, O son of Śaṃtanu, there were sixteen officiants in total, as revealed by those learned in the Vedas. The self-born Brahmā established three hundred sixty sacrifices. In each, the twice-born priests would recite the names of these officiants. Some desired the role of sadasya, others that of trisāmā or adhvaryu. Among the priests, Nārada was appointed as brahma, Gautama as brāhmaṇācchaṃsi, Devagarbha as potṛ, and Agnīdhra as devala. Aṅgiras became the udgātṛ, Pulaha the pratyudgātṛ, Nārāyaṇa the pratihartṛ, and Subrahmaṇya the utṛ. Bhṛgu served as the hotṛ, Vasiṣṭha as the maitra, Kratu as the acchāvāka, and Cyavana as the grāvastut. Pulastya himself was the adhvaryu, Śibi the pratiṣṭhātṛ, Bṛhaspati the neṣṭṛ, and Śāṃśapāyana the unnetṛ. Dharma was present as the sadasya, surrounded by his sons, grandsons, and companions. Other sages—Bharadvāja, Śamīka, Purukutsa, Yugandhara, Enaka, Tīrṇaka, Keśa, and Kutapa—joined them, as did Garga and Vedaśiras, who took on the roles of trisāmā and adhvaryu, along with Kaṇva, Mārkaṇḍa, Gaṇḍi, and many others. They all gathered with their sons, grandsons, disciples, and relatives, performing the rituals tirelessly, day and night. When the Manvantara—the age of Manu—had passed, the avabhṛtha, or concluding bath of the sacrifice, was performed. Gifts were then distributed: the brahma received his due, the hotṛ received the eastern gift, the adhvaryu the western, and the udgātṛ the northern. Brahmā, in his generosity, bestowed the entire three worlds as gifts to these priests. It was declared that a wise sacrificer should give a hundred cows and forty-eight sacrificial animals upon completion of the rite. For those in the second rank, twenty-four were given; for those in the third, sixteen auspicious cows. Twelve more were distributed among the āgnīdhra and others, along with villages, female servants, and livestock. After bathing in the avabhṛtha rite, a thousand portions of food were to be given, and the sacrificer was to donate all his possessions, as decreed by Svāyambhuva Manu. The priests and their assistants were also encouraged to give gifts according to their own wishes. After invoking Viṣṇu, Brahmā, joyful and content, spoke these words: “Having pleased Sāvitrī, O virtuous one, bring her here. When she sees you, O auspicious-faced one, she will not be angry. Speak to her with gentle, persuasive words, supported by sound reasoning; your speech is always sweet, your tongue dripping with nectar. In all three worlds, none ignore your words. Go with the Gandharvas and bring my beloved. When you have appeased her, she will surely be satisfied. Do not delay, Mādhava—go without hesitation. Let your own Lakṣmī go before you to the auspicious abode of Sāvitrī; follow her and console my beloved. The goddess never wishes to do anything displeasing to you; she always acts by observing your face. Speak many sweet words to Sāvitrī, so that she may soon be pleased.” Thus instructed by Brahmā, Viṣṇu swiftly set out to where Sāvitrī was staying. As Keśava approached, accompanied by Lakṣmī, Sāvitrī quickly rose to greet him, and Viṣṇu respectfully offered his salutations. “O goddess of gods, wife of Brahmā, salutations to you! By bowing to you, all people are freed from sin. You are devoted to your husband, greatly fortunate, and dwell in the heart of Brahmā. Day and night, people seek your favor, thinking of you always. If you do not trust my words, ask your dear friend Lakṣmī, the virtuous daughter of Bhṛgu, O beautiful-eyed one.” Having spoken thus, Śauri bowed to Sāvitrī’s feet and, with joined hands, humbly said, “Forgive me, O goddess, salutations to you.