The Lord spoke, assuring the assembly, "I shall always dwell here in the east with you, especially in this field of the supremely sacred Sarasvati." He declared that for anyone who leaves their body on the northern bank of the Sarasvati, there is nothing difficult to attain—whether in this world or the next. If one is devoted to recitation on the eastern shore, they do not return to mortal life; after bathing, they gain the abundant merit equal to that of a horse-sacrifice. There, ascetics who discipline themselves with austerities and fasting, subsisting only on water, air, or leaves, and those who sleep on the ground or practice other vows—whatever sacred disciplines the best of the twice-born perform—attain the supreme state of Brahman, their bodies purified. Any gift made at that holy place, even just a morsel of sesame or gold, is as meritorious as giving Mount Meru itself, as the Lord of Creatures proclaimed long ago. Those who perform ancestral rites there uplift not only themselves but their entire lineage: twenty-one generations ascend to heaven, and ancestors, satisfied with a single ball of rice offered at that sacred site, are delivered to the world of Brahma by their own sons. Freed from desire for further offerings, they proceed on the path of liberation. Now, hear the ancient origin of the Sarasvati, as it truly was. In olden times, all the gods, along with the Vasus, spoke of Sarasvati. They said, "You must go to the western shore of the salt ocean, and, taking this submarine fire, deposit it in the sea." If this is done, all the gods will be freed from fear; otherwise, the submarine fire burns fiercely of its own accord. Therefore, Sarasvati, protect the gods from this danger—be like a mother, O beautiful-hipped one, granting fearlessness to the gods. Thus addressed by mighty Vishnu, the goddess Sarasvati replied: "I am not independent; let my father, the sovereign, be chosen. I am always obedient to his command, steadfast in vows, and do not go even a single step without my father's instruction." Hearing her resolve, the gods considered another way and approached the Grandfather, Brahma. They explained, "No one else can lead the submarine fire, O Forefather, except your daughter, who is faultless and a maiden." Bringing Sarasvati, the radiant maiden, close, Brahma placed her on his lap, affectionately smelled her head, and spoke gently: "O goddess, the gods have called me; now you, illustrious one, must act. Lead and cast this submarine fire into the salty ocean." Hearing her father's words, Sarasvati was distressed, like a sorrowful crane, and wept. Her face, with eyes clouded by tears, shone like a white, fully blossomed lotus sprinkled with dewdrops. Seeing her in this state, all the gods, led by Brahma, were overcome with sorrow. Then, steadying her heart, Brahma comforted her: "Do not weep; there is no danger for you. Honor and gain will come to you by the gods' power. Lead the fire, my daughter, and cast it into the midst of the salty ocean." Thus addressed, the maiden, her eyes still brimming with tears, bowed to the Lotus-born and said, "I will go," and departed. Once more, her father and the others reassured her: "Do not fear." She let go of her fear, and her heart became joyful as she prepared to leave. At her departure, the world was filled with auspicious sounds—conch shells, drums, and resonant blessings. Sarasvati was adorned in radiant white garments, anointed with white sandalwood, shining like an autumn lotus, and decked with a necklace of stars. Her face was like the full moon, her eyes like lotus petals, and her auspicious fame, as the beloved of the Lord of the gods, spread in all directions. With her own brilliance, she departed from their midst, illuminating the world as she went. As Sarasvati journeyed, Ganga, the radiant one, spoke to her: "I will see you again; where are you going, my friend?" Sarasvati replied with sweet words: "Whenever you come to the eastern direction, you will see me, O auspicious one. Surrounded by the gods, I will seek your audience." Ganga continued, "Then, facing north, abandon your sorrow, O smiling one. I am the holy one facing north, and you, Sarasvati, face east." There, a hundred sacred rites are performed through bathing and giving, and offerings to ancestors made there endure forever. Those humans who become free from the three debts proceed on the path of liberation—of this, there is no doubt. Then Ganga blessed her: "May you have another meeting; go to your own abode, O blessed one, and remember me, O sinless one." In the same way, Yamuna, the lovely Gayatri, and Savitri all sent Sarasvati forth with their blessings. Taking leave of her companions, Sarasvati, noble of mind, became a river and appeared at the hermitage of Uttanka. Descending from beneath the plaksha tree, she left her divine form there and manifested before the gods at that time. There, the plaksha tree, in the form of Vishnu, was honored by all the gods and was constantly served by the twice-born for the great benefit of its fruits.