Those disciples who had been taught, as well as the great sages who studied diligently, all offered their praise and worship to the Supreme, following the example of the foremost sages, Manu, and the illustrious descendants of Manu. Even beings of immense wisdom and power—the thousand-headed Ananta, the five-faced Śiva, and the four-faced Brahmā—became bewildered before the glory they beheld. After expressing such profound words, Yājñavalkya, his neck humbly bent in deep devotion, remained in reverence. Then, the goddess, manifesting as pure light though invisible to his eyes, spoke to him. She declared that whoever, with self-restraint and discipline, recites this hymn to Vāṇī composed by Yājñavalkya—even if one is a great fool or dull of intellect—if he recites it for one year, transformation will surely come. Nārāyaṇa then spoke: “Because of Gaṅgā’s curse, because of quarrels and conflicts, O sacred river of Bhārata, Sarasvatī has become the giver of merit, the mother of virtue, and the very embodiment of all holy pilgrimage sites. Among ascetics, she is the personification of austerity; she takes the very form of penance itself. In knowledge, she is Sarasvatī; in water, she is ever-present. Those humans who, on earth, attain her—those even in Bhārata who have committed sins—are purified simply by bathing playfully in her waters. On the fourteenth day, on the full moon, or on the imperishable day at the day’s end, whoever bathes in Sarasvatī—whether casually, indifferently, or with faith—gains great merit. Whoever recites the Sarasvatī mantra for one month, or bathes daily in her waters and shaves his head, attains purity. Thus, I have briefly described the praise of Bhārata’s virtues.” Sauti continued, “Again, O Śaunaka, he quickly asked to dispel his doubt.” Then Nārada inquired, “By what portion and through what quarrel did the river that bestows merit come to be? In hearing the essence of these sacred stories, my curiosity only grows. How did Gaṅgā curse Sarasvatī, who was being worshipped? The cause of the dispute between those two radiant ones is delightful to hear.” Nārāyaṇa replied, “By merely remembering Sarasvatī, one is freed from all sins. Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, and Gaṅgā—these three are also the wives of Hari. Once, Gaṅgā gazed upon the face of Viṣṇu. The Lord, seeing her glance, smiled joyfully for a moment. Padma, whose nature is purity, was gently instructed by Sarasvatī with a soft smile. With red lips and eyes glowing with feeling, Sarasvatī spoke to Gaṅgā, her husband beside her. Sarasvatī said, ‘Among the righteous, the eminent, and even the contrary and the wicked, O Gadādhara, I have understood that Gaṅgā enjoys greater fortune. The affection between Gaṅgā and Padma is highly esteemed. What is the use of living here now, being so unfortunate? The wise declare you, O Lord of all, to be of pure nature.’ Hearing Sarasvatī’s words and seeing her filled with anger, Nārāyaṇa departed. Then, Gaṅgā, burning with wrath and without fear, spoke out: ‘O shameless one, full of desire, why do you display pride in your husband? Today, I will bring about your humiliation before Hari.’ Having spoken thus, she raised her hand to seize Sarasvatī’s hair. Vāṇī, filled with great anger, then cursed Padma, saying, ‘Since you have acted wrongly, you should not speak anything further.