With great reverence, the assembled deities and sages addressed Savitri, the beloved of Brahma, assuring her, “O auspicious-faced one, by the words of these two and of us, no disrespect is intended toward you, beloved of Brahma.” They gently requested, “O goddess, please go there joyfully at our behest.” In response, Gauri spoke with affection, “As you yourself say, O goddess, I am always your dear one.” Gauri continued, “Lakshmi is placed in your hand, and I have held her in your right. Come, O greatly fortunate one, to where your husband awaits you.” Thus, led by Vishnu and Rudra at the front, with Indra and the other gods in attendance, the goddess was escorted in the center by those two. The Gandharvas, Apsaras, and all beings—moving and unmoving—from the three worlds gathered there. Savitri, the beloved of Brahma, arrived amidst this divine assembly. Upon seeing Savitri, whose face shone with beauty, Brahma, the grandsire of all worlds, together with Gayatri, addressed her with these words: “This goddess is a performer of deeds; I am now under your control. Command me, O beautiful one, whatever work you wish me to do here.” Hearing Brahma speak thus, Savitri, her face lowered in modesty, remained silent. Prompted by Brahma, Gayatri approached Savitri, prostrated at her feet, and humbly said, “I have committed an offense against you; forgive me, O goddess, I bow to you.” Savitri, embracing the distressed Gayatri affectionately around the neck, comforted her, saying, “He is my honored husband.” She continued, “The husband’s word must be obeyed; he is the lord of life for women. This was declared by the blessed Virinchi at the time of creation. For women, there is no separate sacrifice, vow, or fasting; whatever the husband says, she should do without disdain. A woman who reviles her husband, or her sister, or indulges in slander or idle talk, will go to hell. If a woman undertakes fasting or vows while her husband is alive, she diminishes his lifespan; if he dies, she desires hell. Knowing this, O virtuous one, you must not do anything displeasing to your husband, nor should you ever serve his right side. In all matters, I myself have taken his right side; you, O virtuous one, should approach his left, along with Narada and Pushkara.” Savitri further explained, “Other seats of Brahma and sacred places are established; you will obtain beauty here as long as creation continues. Both you and I must remain, without doubt, at the side of Brahma in Pushkara; you should take the left side. By this instruction, remain happily with me.” Gayatri replied, “I will do exactly as you direct. Your command must be followed by me; you are my friend, equal to my life. I am your younger, O goddess; you should always protect me.” After these words, Brahma, the god of gods, together with Vishnu at Pushkara, at the conclusion of their sacred bath, bestowed boons upon all the gods. He appointed Indra as lord of the gods, the Sun as lord of the luminaries, Soma as lord of the stars, and Varuna as lord of the waters. Daksha was made lord of the progenitors; the Ocean, lord of the rivers; Kubera, lord of wealth; and Cakra, lord of the Rakshasas. Pinakin was made lord of all beings and hosts, Manu the lord of men, and Garuda the lord of birds. Vasistha was established as the foremost among sages, and the Sun as the chief among planets. Having thus assigned these positions, the Grandfather, Brahma, continued his work. Then, Brahma respectfully addressed Vishnu and Shankara: “Among all the holy places on earth, you two are the most worthy of worship. Without you both, no sacred place ever attains holiness; wherever a linga or image is seen, that place becomes holy. Such a place attains sanctity and grants all rewards; those who worship there with offerings will be blessed. Having honored you both before me, why should they fear disease or danger? In those lands where your festivals and worship are performed, all such rites will be established. Hear now the fruits in those places: there will be no sorrow, no disease, no calamity, nor fear of hunger. There will be no separation from loved ones, nor union with the unwanted; no eye disease, no headache, no bile-pain, nor anal disease. There will be no fear from sorcery, no epilepsy, nor cholera; prosperity will come as desired, and the mind will be supremely clear. There will be health in every way, long life, offspring, and wealth; death will not come untimely, and cows will not yield little milk. Trees will not bear fruit out of season, nor will there be even the slightest fear of calamity.” Hearing these words, Vishnu then prepared to praise Brahma. He said, “Salutations to the Infinite, of pure mind, whose form is his own true nature, with a thousand arms; to the Creator, source of a thousand rays, vast in body, pure in action. Salutations to Shambhu, remover of all the world’s suffering, whose radiance surpasses all suns and fires; to the wielder of the discus, who is spread forth as knowledge, who is ever the foundation of all intelligence. O beginningless god, imperishable, highest lord, lord of the future, the present, and the past, great lord, lord of all, lord of the world, lord of the earth, lord of beings—ever I bow to you. Lord of sacrifice, Narayana, victorious, Shankara, lord of the earth, lord of the universe, all-seeing, whose form is the origin of the moon, sun, Acyuta, and the heroic, whose forms are both manifest and unmanifest, imperishable. O Narayana, whose blazing, purified fire encircles all directions, whose face is turned everywhere, who is the immortal, imperishable remover of all the gods’ suffering—protect me, O Lord, as I have come to you for refuge. O Lord, I behold your many faces and the ancient course of sacrifice; you are Brahma, the Lord, the source of the worlds. O Great Grandsire, I bow to you.