Her face, radiant yet veiled by sorrow, shone like a white lotus in full bloom, its beauty touched by glistening drops of water—her eyes clouded with tears. Witnessing her in this state, all the gods, led by the Forefather Brahmā, were themselves overcome with sorrow. Yet, steadying his heart, Brahmā spoke gently to his grieving daughter: “Do not weep; there is no danger for you.” He continued, reassuring her, “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.” Hearing these words, the young girl, her eyes still brimming with tears, bowed before the Lotus-born Brahmā. With quiet resolve, she replied, “I will go,” and departed. Again, her father and the assembled gods comforted her, saying, “Do not fear.” Their encouragement eased her heart, and with newfound joy, she prepared to set forth on her divine task. As she departed, the world itself resounded with auspicious sounds—conch shells, drums, and the blessings of the gods filled the air. She was adorned in pure white garments, her body anointed with white sandalwood, radiant as an autumn lotus, and decorated with a necklace resembling a string of stars. Her face glowed like the full moon, her eyes elongated like lotus petals, spreading the auspicious fame of the lord of gods in all ten directions. As she journeyed on, her own brilliance seemed to depart from the hearts of the gods, illuminating the world. Along her path, Ganga, the radiant river goddess, approached her and spoke: “I will see you again; where are you going, my friend?” Ganga’s words were sweet and full of affection. She continued, “Whenever you come to the eastern direction, you will see me, O auspicious one. Surrounded by the gods, I will seek your presence. Then, facing north, abandon your sorrow, O smiling one. I am the holy one facing north, and you, Sarasvati, face east.” Ganga further revealed, “There, a hundred sacred rites are performed through bathing and giving; by offering oblations to the 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 of this.” With blessings, Ganga said, “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 bid farewell to their companion, sending her forth with their good wishes. Having taken leave of these goddesses, Sarasvati, noble of mind, transformed herself into a river and appeared at the hermitage of Uttanka. Descending from beneath the plaksha tree and leaving her former form there, the illustrious goddess manifested before the gods. There, the plaksha tree—regarded as a form of Vishnu—was honored by all the gods and constantly served by the twice-born sages, who benefited greatly from its fruits. The tree, with its many spreading branches, resembled another Four-faced Brahmā; in the hollows of its roots were countless huts of the twice-born. The air was filled with the delighted voices of the gods. Though the tree bore no flowers, it appeared as if blossoming, so vibrant was the scene. The best of rivers was adorned with beautiful parrots clinging to its branches, with jasmine and champaka flowers, and fragrant ketaki blossoms. Cuckoos perched like garlands, and foam sparkled like blossoms; she shone, just as Ganga does with the moon or 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; this fire-lord is not to be abandoned by you. To lead the submarine fire to the western ocean, O auspicious one, proceed in this manner; thus, you will reach the waters, O blessed one.” Then Govinda (Vishnu) placed the submarine fire in a golden vessel and entrusted it to Sarasvati, the great river. She, beautiful-hipped and resolute, took the vessel and moved westward. By her power of concealment, the great river reached Pushkara. At the boundary mountain, the pure river Sarasvati arose; the vast forest of Pushkara was frequented by gods and perfected beings. There, the grandsire Brahmā performed a sacrificial session; for the success of the foremost sages, the great river arrived. Wherever Brahmā performed the sacrifice in the fire-pits, Sarasvati flooded those places with her waters and then emerged. In that sacred field, the highly meritorious Sarasvati arose in Pushkara; thus, it is said, the filling of that place was accomplished by Vāyu, the life-breath of the world. That most auspicious and holy river, Sarasvati, having reached that field, now abides there as a goddess, destroyer of sins for mortals. Those who perform virtuous deeds and behold Sarasvati residing at Pushkara do not encounter that dreadful, terrible downfall. Moreover, any man who, with devotion, bathes there attains the world of Brahmā and delights together with him. Whoever gives delightful curds there to a brāhmaṇa attains the world of Agni and enjoys splendid pleasures. Even one who gives, with devotion, a fine garment to a twice-born receives a tenfold reward for the gift of good clothing. A man of pure mind who, after bathing in the Jyeṣṭha pool, offers oblations to the ancestors, rescues them all—even from hell. In the pure ancestral field, having attained the holy Sarasvati, what other sacred place should a man desire? So spoke the son of Brahmā.