The affection between Gaṅgā and Padma was greatly revered, their bond celebrated among the divine. Yet, amidst this harmony, a sense of misfortune arose, and one wondered what purpose life held in such an unhappy state. The wise, however, recognized the Lord of all as pure in essence, untouched by the turmoil that gripped others. It was then that Sarasvatī, her words sharp and her heart aflame with anger, spoke out. Nārāyaṇa, having listened, departed from their midst, and in his absence, Gaṅgā, emboldened and wrathful, addressed Sarasvatī without fear. “O shameless one, consumed by desire, why do you boast so proudly of your husband?” she challenged. “Today, I shall bring about your humiliation before Hari himself.” With these heated words, Sarasvatī raised her hand, intent on seizing Gaṅgā by the hair. But Vāṇī, filled with immense anger, instead pronounced a curse upon Padma: “Because you have acted wrongly, you shall not speak further.” Upon hearing this curse, Padma, the goddess, neither retaliated nor allowed anger to take hold of her heart. Yet Gaṅgā, observing Sarasvatī’s face trembling with rage and her agitation growing, spoke again. “This goddess, the mistress of speech, is harsh in her words and fond of quarrels. Whatever her strength or power may be, let it be declared—what strength of hers can match mine?” And with that, Gaṅgā proclaimed, “Let her descend to the mortal world, the realm where sinners dwell.” Hearing these words, Sarasvatī responded with a curse of her own. At that very moment, the Blessed Lord appeared. Taking Sarasvatī by the hand, he gently seated her upon his chest. Having listened to the secret behind their curses and their quarrel, the Lord addressed them with compassion. He said, “On earth, you shall be born as a daughter, not from a womb. There, by the decree of fate, you will also become a tree. Afterwards, you will become my wife—of this, there is no doubt. By a portion of yourself, become a river and swiftly go, O beautiful-faced one. As Ganga, you will descend and purify the world, brought down by the severe penance of Bhagiratha. By my command, become the wife of the ocean, who is a portion of my own intoxication. By Ganga’s curse, you, O Bhāratī, will go to Bharata as a portion. And you, Sarasvatī, will go to Brahma’s abode and become Brahma’s beloved—peaceful, free from anger, devoted to me, and of my own form. By parts and portions, all shall be righteous and devoted to their husbands. There will be three wives, three brothers-in-law, three servants, and relatives. “But know this: in a house where women rule over men and the husband is under the wife’s control, where a man’s wife is foul-mouthed, impure in conduct, and fond of quarrels, there only misfortune is found, and the people and places seem as if ancient and worn. It is better to remain in fire or among violent creatures, for there is happiness even in their presence. For men, the flames of disease or poison are preferable, O beautiful-faced one. Truly, the life of a man conquered by a woman is fruitless; he is reviled everywhere in this world and, in the next, he goes to hell. For many co-wives, it is not good to dwell together in one place.” Thus, the Lord resolved their quarrel with wisdom and compassion, assigning to each her role and destiny, restoring peace among the goddesses.