Filled with immense joy, I danced upon witnessing the wondrous sight before me. The god, smiling gently, addressed the sage who was still clouded by passion. “O Brāhmaṇa, I am not astonished by this. Look at me, standing here,” said Mahādeva, his words carrying a deep significance. The sage, lost in meditation, pondered, “Who is this who has halted me?” Still uncertain, he struck his own thumb with his fingertip. From the wound, ash—white as snow—emerged. Seeing this, the sage was overcome with shame. He fell at Mahādeva’s feet and declared, “O god, I consider none greater than Rudra. You, wielder of the trident, are the refuge of all that moves and does not move in the universe. The wise proclaim that everything was created by you, and at the end of the age, all returns to you. Even the gods cannot fully comprehend you—how could I? In you are seen all the gods, even Brahmā and the others. You alone are the creator and cause of all the gods; by your grace, they become fearless.” Having thus praised the great god, the sage bowed and spoke, “O Lord, by your grace, my austerity remains undiminished.” Pleased in mind, Mahādeva replied, “May your austerity increase a thousandfold, O Brahmin, by my grace. I shall always dwell here in the east with you, especially in this sacred field of Sarasvati.” He continued, “There is nothing difficult to obtain in this world or the next for one who abandons his body on the northern bank of the Sarasvati. One devoted to recitation on the eastern shore does not die again; after bathing, he attains the abundant fruit equal to a horse-sacrifice. By disciplines and fasts, emaciating his body, the ascetic subsists on water, air, or leaves. Likewise, those who sleep on the ground and practice other disciplines—whatever vows the best of the twice-born performs—he attains the supreme state of Brahman with a purified body. Whatever is given at that sacred place, even a morsel of sesame or gold, is equal to a gift of Mount Meru, as the Lord of Creatures declared long ago.” He spoke further, “Those who perform ancestral rites at that sacred place, accompanied by twenty-one generations, will go to heaven; the ancestors, satisfied by a single ball of rice, will reach the world of Brahma, delivered by their own son. If they no longer desire food, they proceed on the path of liberation.” “Now hear the ancient origin of the Sarasvati as it truly was,” the god said. “The Sarasvati was spoken of by all the gods together with the Vasus. You must go to the shore in the west of the salt ocean and, taking this submarine fire, deposit it in the sea. When this is done, all the gods become free from fear; otherwise, the submarine fire burns with its own power. Therefore, protect the gods from this danger soon; be like a mother, O beautiful-hipped one, granting fearlessness to the gods.” Thus addressed by mighty Vishnu, the goddess replied, “I am not independent; let my father, the sovereign, be chosen. Always obedient to his command, a maiden here, steadfast in vows, I do not take a single step anywhere without my father’s instruction. Therefore, let some other means be considered.” Understanding her intention, they all approached the grandfather. The gods said, “No one else can lead the submarine fire, O Forefather, except your daughter, who is free from unseen faults and is a maiden.” Bringing Sarasvati, the radiant maiden, and placing her on his lap, the Forefather affectionately smelled her head and spoke, “O goddess, the gods have called me. Now you, illustrious one, speak. Lead and cast this submarine fire into the salty ocean.” Hearing her father’s words, Sarasvati, like a separated female crane, wept, her mind troubled. Her face, with eyes clouded by tears, shone like a white, fully blossomed lotus sprinkled with water. Seeing her sorrow, all the gods, led by the Forefather, were moved by compassion. Steadying her heart, the Forefather spoke, “Do not weep; there is no danger for you. Honor and gain will come to you by the power of the gods. Lead the fire, O daughter, and cast it into the salty ocean.” Thus addressed, the young girl, her eyes filled with tears, bowed to the Lotus-born and said, “I will go,” and departed. Again, her father and the others reassured her, “Do not fear.” She abandoned her fear and, with a joyful heart, prepared to depart. At the time of her departure, the world was filled with auspicious sounds of conch shells, drums, and blessings. Sarasvati was adorned in white garments, decorated with white sandalwood, her radiance like an autumn lotus, and embellished with a necklace of stars. Her face was like a full moon, her eyes extended like lotus petals, spreading the auspicious fame of the lord of gods in all ten directions. With her own brilliance, she departed from their hearts, illuminating the world. As she journeyed forth, Ganga, the radiant one, spoke to her.