Chapter 191 - Occurrence of Evil Omens

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sages said:

1-3. O Sūtaputra, It has been said by you that Sāvitrī did not come there though called by Pulastya with words deceptive in intention. She became engaged in domestic chores.

Then Gāyatrī was summoned by Brahmā angrily. She was praised very much by the Devas and Brāhmaṇas. She then became his wife.

What happened to Sāvitrī after knowing that she entered the Patnīśālā in the Yajñamaṇḍapa? Tell everything in detail.

Sūta said:

4. Sāvitrī thought her husband to be under her control and so was complacent. Steadying herself she fetched the wives of all the Devas.

5-6. They were Gaurī, Lakṣmī, Śacī, Medhā, Arundhatī, Svadhā, Svāhā, Kīrti, Buddhi, Puṣṭi, Kṣamā, Dhṛti and many others accompanied by celestial damsels. Ghṛtācī, Menakā, Raṃbhā, Urvaśī, Tilottamā, all the groups of celestial damsels came there, O excellent Brāhmaṇas.

7. Accompanied by all of them who were delighted in their minds and whose hands were full (with fruits, presents etc.) she started towards the pavilion.

8. The musical instruments were played to the accompaniment of singing by leading Gandharvas and Kinnaras.

9. That lady of great esteem went as far as the Yajña pavilion. By that time her right eye began to throb frequently.

10. The beasts, the birds etc., flew and moved about anticlockwise. They moved backwards frequently making all sorts of noises.

11. The right limbs throbbing frequently agitated her mind continuously.

12. But all the celestial women continued to dance and laugh and sing enthusiastically at her sides.

13-14. They were not aware of the excitement in the heart (of Sāvitrī) as a result of the ill omens. All of them were engaged in singing and dancing vying with one another. They went ahead saying “I will enter first; I will enter first in the great Makha.” They were too enthusiastic.