[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.3340 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3340 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.3340 - **Language:** English ### [c9.3340](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3340) 2) The curse of Sarasvatī. Sarasvatī, Gaṅgā and Lakṣmī were all, in the beginning, wives of Mahāviṣṇu. The Lord loved all the three equally. One day all the four were sitting together when Gaṅgā sent lustful glances at Viṣṇu which was immediately noticed by both Sarasvatī and Lakṣmī. Sarasvatī got angry and rising up caught hold of the hair of Gaṅgā and dragged her to the ground. Lakṣmī then caught hold of Sarasvatī to prevent further assault but Sarasvatī then poured all her rage on Lakṣmī and cursed her to be born as a plant on earth. Gaṅgādevī could not bear this and she cursed Sarasvatī to be born as a river on earth. Sarasvatī retorted with a curse that Gaṅgā also would be born as a river. When the whole tumult was over Viṣṇu called Lakṣmī to his side and said—“Oh Devī, do not worry. Things have happened as predestined. You go and be born as the daughter of Dharmadhvaja and grow up there. From there by divine grace you will be transformed into a plant sacred enough to make all the three worlds pure. That plant will be named Tulasī. You will be thus living as Tulasī, a demon named Śaṅkhacūḍa with part of my virile strength will be born and he will marry you. Then you can come back to me. The holy river Padmāvatī will also be another form of your spirit.” - [Previous: c9.3339](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3339) - [Next: c9.3341](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3341) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3340](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3340) · Pramāṇa