Creator cursed

While at Pushkar, I understood the details of the place and why there is a Brahma temple only in Pushkar and nowhere else. Vishnu and Shiva temples are in every village may be! The reason was that Brahma the creator was cursed by his own wife, Savitri.

I have always felt that the stories in Indian mythology are not examples for people to follow. All Hindu gods are not role models. 😅. The story of Pushkar is a proof to that. I will narrate the broad story but if you don’t want to read the story, it’s ok. Read the moral at least.

Never mess with your wife or partner.

Actors

Brahma - The creator 
Savitri - His wife
Narad - Brahma & Savitri’s son
Indra - King of all Devas

Brahma: I want to perform this Yagnya (religious ceremony) at Pushkar. Narad, please tell your mom Savitri to come.

Narad: Sure dad. Will tell her to come fast as the auspicious time is also nearing.

Narad: (Thinks…) I am a conflict creator. Let me create a conflict b/w my parents too.

Narad: Ma, Papa told he is performing a Yagnya and wants you to be there. Other gods such as Vishnu and Shiv are also attending. You make sure you take your time, get dressed up well and then go as a lot of people are going to be watching you.

Savitri: Yo. People will see in my best makeup.

Brahma: Indra, the auspicious time to perform the Yagnya is getting closer and closer. And Savitri is not to be found. Shall I do the Yagnya by myself?

Indra: No no Brahma. A married man should always perform the Yagnya only with his consort. Otherwise there will be no value for the Yagnya.

Brahma: Ok. Then I have an idea. Get an unmarried girl for this married man. I will marry her and perform the Yagnya with her. That will be faster than the time Savitri takes to put on her makeup and get ready.

Indra: At once Brahma.

Few moments later.

Indra: Brahma, I got this local unmarried cowgirl from a nearby village. Will it work?

Brahma: How will this work Indra. I am a Brahmin and she is a cowgirl. How can I marry her.

Indra: I can fix it. I will convert this girl into grass, feed it to the cow and take her out as shit. Then I will convert her back to a women. Since she has gone through the body of the holy cow, she is purified and will become a Brahmin.

Brahma: How gross! But if it works I am ok.

Indra: On it.

Moments Later

Indra: Brahma, I present to you the purified girl Gayatri. Gaay (cow) + Stree (women)

Brahma: Wow. That’s fantastic. Let me quickly marry her now.

Gayatri: Yes! Qubool Hai

Brahma: Gayatri, now that we are husband and wife please stand next to me while I perform this mighty Yagnya.

A few minutes later, Savitri arrives at the Yagnya.

Savitri: Narad, who is that women standing next to Brahma while he is performing the Yagnya?

Narad: Oh. That’s Gayatri. Dad’s second wife. Indra helped him get this new girl from a nearby village. They got married just now.

Savitri: Bhrama, what nonsense is this? How can Gayatri take my place?

Brahma: Too late sweetheart.

Savitri: Oh really. You have displayed such ugly behaviour. I curse you that no one will ever worship you. If a married man worships you he will perish.

Brahma: Wait this is too harsh.

Savitri: I am not done yet. You will not have any temples built anywhere apart from Pushkar.

Indra: Savitri, calm down. This is too harsh. He is lord Brahma, the creator.

Savitri: And you Indira. You are party to this indecent proposal. I curse you that you will be easily defeated in battles.

Brahma: Oh god! What do we do now?

Gayatri: Brahma, don’t worry honey. I am now your wife and I have also gotten some powers because of that. I can help.

Indira: Oh that’s good. Can you nullify Savitri’s curse?

Gayatri: Not all, but I can dilute it. Brahma, people will not worship you but will worship this Pushkar lake which you have created. That will be their way of worshipping you.

Indira: What about the curse on me?

Gayatri: Hold on Indira. I can dilute it that you will always be King of Devas irrespective of how many battles you fight or lose.

Brahma: Thanks Gayatri. You have used your newly found powers wisely. Savitri, I get it that you are angry. You have given all these curses. But Gayatri is a good girl. Be light on her.

Savitri: You don’t tell me how I need to be to her.

Brahma: Ok fine Savitri. Now that you are here, come and stand next to me as I complete the Yagnya.

Savitri: Get lost. You can have your new wife Gayatri next to you. I am going to the hill above. I will stay there. Bye.

And that’s the reason why no Puja is performed in the Pushkar temple. Morning and evening Arti are done to the lake. Not in the temple.

The priests in the Brahma temple are Sadhus who have relinquished all worldly bonds. No married man dares to be the priest there.

The people who come to Pushkar visit and worship the Pushkar lake first. Then, they proceed to the Brahma temple merely to visit. In the temple, we can see Gayatri standing beside Brahma.

The Savitri temple is on a hill in Pushkar. It takes a 30 minute hike to go there.

The Pushkar lake is considered extremely holy and it is kept very very clean. You can see a lot of birds thriving in the lake. A walk around the lake in the evening is so beautiful and calming.