O Lakshma, listen as I recount the sacred tale of Sarasvati and the holy tirthas. Sarasvati, the goddess of speech, would often visit the house of the king. Because of this, her presence among others became well known, and she was called Sarasvant. Once, moved by displeasure, I uttered a curse upon her: “Become a great river again.” Fearing the power of my words, the goddess of speech departed eastward and transformed herself into the Gautami, flowing as a purifying river. Born from the water-pot, Sarasvati, pure and radiant, is the mother who cleanses the worlds, who soothes the threefold suffering, and who grants both worldly rewards and liberation. Distressed by my curse, Sarasvati approached the goddess Gautami and recounted all that had transpired. Ganga, too, spoke to me, urging, “You should remove the curse.” Ganga said, “It is not right, O Brahma, for you to have cursed Sarasvati. Such is the nature of women, for women desire men. All women, O Brahma, are fickle by nature. How is it that you, the lotus-seated creator, do not know this? Who is not deceived by desire, which arises naturally?” Thus, I declared, “Let Sarasvati be visible as well.” Because of this curse, Sarasvati appears and disappears among mortals. Wherever this afflicted goddess joins with Ganga, there the righteous king Pururavas once went. He performed great austerities and worshipped Lord Hara, and by the grace of Ganga, all his desires were fulfilled. From that time, the holy place became known as Pururavasa. The confluence of Sarasvati is called Brahma Tirtha, where the lord of perfection dwells, and that place grants all desires. Sages know of five sacred tirthas: Savitri, Gayatri, Shraddha, Medha, and Sarasvati. Bathing and drinking at these holy sites frees one from all impurities. These five—Savitri, Gayatri, Shraddha, Medha, and Sarasvati—are my eldest daughters, established for the sake of dharma. Among them, I created one supreme, a beauty among worlds. Upon seeing this beautiful maiden, my mind was disturbed. As I tried to approach her, she perceived my intent and fled, taking the form of a deer. I too became a deer and pursued her. Shambhu, to protect dharma, assumed the form of a hunter. My five daughters, frightened by me, fled to the great river Ganga, and Maheshvara followed to protect dharma. Taking up a bow and arrow, the lord addressed me, who was in the form of a deer: “I will slay you,” declared Hara, the hunter. Ceasing from my pursuit, I gave the maiden to Vivasvat. The five daughters, beginning with Savitri, joined together in the form of rivers and returned to my heavenly realm. Where these goddesses gathered, O Narada, there are five tirthas. The five rivers, Sarasvati among them, are supremely sacred. Whatever bathing or giving is performed there fulfills all desires. That place is remembered as bestowing liberation through actionlessness. There was the Hunter Tirtha, granting all purposes, and another, the Brahma Tirtha, known for giving the fruits of heaven and liberation. One of these holy places is the Shami Tirtha, which removes all sins. Hear its story, O Narada. There was a king named Priyavrata, foremost among conquerors, who undertook initiation on the southern bank of the Gautami, accompanied by his priest. When the horse sacrifice began, attended by priests and sages, Vasishta was the chief priest for that mighty king. At that time, a fierce demon named Hiranyakas entered the sacrificial enclosure. Seeing the demon, the gods led by Indra became frightened; some fled to heaven. The sacrificial fire entered the shami tree, Vishnu entered the ashvattha, the sun entered the arka, and Shiva entered the banyan. Soma entered the palasha tree, the sacrificial fire entered the waters of Ganga, the Ashvins took the horse and became Vayu, and Yama himself became a crow. Meanwhile, the venerable sage Vasishta, taking up his staff, restrained the Daityas with his command. The sacrifice resumed, the Daitya departed, defeated by his own strength, and from that time, these holy places began to bestow the fruits of ten Ashvamedha sacrifices. The first is Shami Tirtha, the second is known as Vaishnava, followed by Arka, Shaiva, Saumya, and Vasishta—each granting all desires. When the great sacrifice was completed, all the gods and sages, satisfied, addressed Vasishta and the sacrificer Priyavrata. Those sacred trees and the Ganges, joyfully approached again and again, became the sites for the accomplishment of the Ashvamedha. The gods declared that these holy places grant the fruit of the Ashvamedha. Therefore, O Narada, by bathing and giving at these tirthas, one attains the sacred fruit of the Ashvamedha—this is truth, not falsehood. Now hear of other holy tirthas: Vishvamitra, Harishchandra, Shunahshepa, Rohita, Varuna, Brahma, Agneya, Aindra, Aindava, Aishvara, Maitra, Vaishnava, Yamya, Ashvina, and Aushana. Listen to their names, O wise one. Harishchandra was a king descended from Ikshvaku. In his house, the sages Narada and Parvata arrived. After properly honoring them, Harishchandra spoke: “People strive for sons, but what will happen with a son? Will he be wise or ignorant, excellent, middling, or otherwise? Tell me, revered sages, for this doubt troubles me.” Parvata and Narada replied: “O king, the results are onefold, tenfold, a hundredfold, and a thousandfold; the highest result is attained, yet it is declared in this way.” Thus, O Narada, are the stories of the sacred rivers, tirthas, and the blessings they bestow, as well as the wisdom imparted by the great sages.