Vishnu addressed the radiant goddess Sarasvati, saying, “You must go to the western shore of the salt ocean and, taking with you this submarine fire, deposit it into the sea. If you do this, all the gods will be freed from fear, for otherwise, the submarine fire blazes with its own immense energy and threatens the worlds. Protect the gods from this danger without delay; be like a compassionate mother, granting them fearlessness, O beautiful-hipped one.” Hearing these words from the mighty Vishnu, Sarasvati replied with humility, “I am not independent, O Lord. Let my father, the sovereign, be consulted. I am always obedient to his command; as a maiden steadfast in vows, I do not take even a single step anywhere without my father’s instruction. Therefore, let another means be considered.” Understanding her devotion and intention, all the gods and Vishnu approached Brahma, the Grandfather of all. They said, “O Forefather, no one but your daughter, who is pure and faultless, is able to lead the submarine fire. She alone, being a maiden, can accomplish this task.” Brahma, the Lotus-born, brought Sarasvati, his luminous daughter, to his lap. He affectionately smelled her head and then spoke gently to her: “O goddess, the gods have sought my help. Now, O illustrious one, you must lead this submarine fire and cast it into the salty ocean.” Upon hearing her father’s words, Sarasvati was deeply distressed, feeling as though she had been separated from her loved ones, like a lonely female crane. Tears welled in her eyes, and she wept in sorrow; her lovely face shone like a white lotus in full bloom, sprinkled with drops of water. Seeing her in such grief, all the gods, led by Brahma, were filled with sorrow. Then the compassionate Grandfather steadied her heart and said, “Do not weep, my child. There is no danger for you. By the power of the gods, honor and gain will come to you. Lead the fire, O daughter, and cast it into the midst of the salty ocean.” Thus comforted, the young Sarasvati, her eyes still glistening with tears, bowed to Brahma and said, “I will go,” and made ready to depart. Her father and the other gods reassured her again, saying, “Do not fear.” She set aside her anxiety and, with a joyful heart, prepared for her journey. At the time of her departure, the world resounded with auspicious sounds—conch shells, drums, and the resonance of blessings. Sarasvati was adorned in pure white garments, anointed with fragrant white sandalwood, her radiance like an autumn lotus, and bedecked with a necklace of stars. Her face shone like the full moon, her lotus-petal eyes wide and serene, spreading the auspicious fame of the lord of gods in all directions. As she departed, her own brilliance illuminated the world and the hearts of all present. On her way, Ganga, the radiant river goddess, approached her and spoke affectionately, “I will see you again, my friend. Where are you going?” 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 company.” Ganga continued, “Then, facing north, abandon your sorrow, O smiling one. I am the holy one who faces north, and you, Sarasvati, face east. There, a hundred sacred rites are performed through bathing and giving; by offering oblations to ancestors, the gifts given there are eternal. Those humans who become free from the three debts will proceed on the path of liberation; there is no doubt about this.” Ganga blessed her, saying, “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 also sent their companion on her way with blessings and affection. Taking leave of the goddesses, Sarasvati, noble of mind, transformed herself into a river and appeared at the hermitage of Uttanka. Descending from below the sacred plaksha tree, and leaving her celestial form there, the illustrious Sarasvati manifested before the gods. There, the plaksha tree, embodying Vishnu himself, was honored by all the gods and constantly worshipped by the twice-born sages for the great benefit of its fruits. With many wide-spreading branches, the tree resembled another Four-faced Brahma; in the hollows of its roots were countless huts of the sages. The delighted voices of the gods could be heard there; though the tree bore no flowers, it appeared as if in full bloom. The best of rivers, Sarasvati, was adorned with beautiful parrots clinging to its branches, with jasmine, champaka, and fragrant ketaki flowers. She shone with cuckoos like garlands and foam like blossoms, just as Ganga does with the hare or with the plaksha tree. There, standing in the water, Sarasvati addressed the god Janardana (Vishnu): “Offer that fire; I will carry out the command of the gods.” Vishnu replied, “You need not fear burning, O blessed one; this fire-lord is not to be abandoned by you. To lead the submarine fire to the western ocean, proceed in this manner; thus you will reach the waters, O auspicious one.” Then Govinda (Vishnu) placed the submarine fire in a golden vessel and entrusted it to Sarasvati, the great river. She, the beautiful-hipped goddess, took it and journeyed westward. By her power of concealment, the great river reached Pushkara. At that boundary mountain, the pure river Sarasvati emerged, and the vast forest of Pushkara, frequented by gods and perfected beings, became her sacred domain.