Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1861

c7.1861

3). Brahmā cursed Kāma. Once Brahmā was meditating upon Brahman for the purpose of creation. He felt carnal thoughts rising in his mind. At once a girl was born from his mind. She appeared before him and did obeisance to him. This girl was Sarasvatī. Brahmā fell in love with her. He declared that she should stay in the tongues of all living beings, and particularly at the tip of the tongues of all scholars. After that he made Sarasvatī his wife. Soon he felt repentant for his weakness of mind. His anger blazed at Kāma who was the cause of all this. He cursed that Kāma would be burnt to ashes in the fire from Śiva's third eye. After that Brahmā gave his carnal desire to the great sage Atri who transferred it to his wife Anasūyā. It hardened itself within her and took the form of Candra, who was thus born to her. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Chapter 43).