Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.877

c9.877

During the early days, Sarasvatī, Lakṣmī and Gaṅgā were wives of Mahāviṣṇu. One day there arose a family quarrel among them. (See under Tulasī). As a result of this quarrel, the Devis cursed each other. Sarasvatī cursed Lakṣmī and changed her to holy basil plant (Tulasī) on the earth. When Lakṣmī was about to depart as Tulasī, Mahāviṣṇu blessed her thus. “Look! Lakṣmī ! you will live in the world as a holy basil and when the curse has been completed you will come back to me. On that day, a river named Gaṇḍakī, will start from your body which will be in the shape of the holy basil plant. (It is also that the river Gaṇḍakī has taken birth from the sweat of Śiva and Viṣṇu. Refer to the word Gaṇḍakī). On the bank of that river, I will remain as a stone image. There will be so many worms with strong tusks and teeth, which will pierce the stone into the shape of Sudarśana cakra (the weapon of Viṣṇu) and will create numberless Sālagrāmas. The Sālagrāmas thus made, will be of various sizes and shapes.”