Vaishampayana continued, “In days of yore, O monarch, there was an intelligent sage of great ascetic merit.  He was celebrated by the name of Dadhica.  Possessing a complete control over his senses, he led the life of a brahmacari.  In consequence of his excessive ascetic austerities Shakra was afflicted with a great fear.  The sage could not be turned (away from his penance) by the offer of even diverse kinds of rewards.  At last the chastiser of Paka, for tempting the sage, despatched unto him the exceedingly beautiful and celestial apsara, by name Alambusa.  Thither where on the banks of the Sarasvati the high-souled sage was engaged in the act of gratifying the gods, the celestial damsel named above, O monarch, made her appearance.  Beholding that damsel of beautiful limbs, the vital seed of that ascetic of cleansed soul came out.  It fell into the Sarasvati, and the latter held it with care.  Indeed, O bull among men, the River, beholding that seed, held it in her womb.  In time the seed developed into a foetus and the great river held it so that it might be inspired with life as a child.  When the time came, the foremost of rivers brought forth that child and then went, O lord, taking it with her, to that rishi.

Beholding that best of rishis in a conclave, Sarasvati, O monarch, while making over the child, said these words, ’O regenerate rishi, this is thy son whom I held through devotion for thee!  That seed of thine which fell at sight of the apsara Alambusa, had been held by me in my womb, O regenerate rishi, through devotion for thee, well knowing that that energy of thine would never suffer destruction!  Given by me, accept this faultless child of thy own!’ Thus addressed by her, the rishi accepted the child and felt great joy.  Through affection, that foremost of brahmanas then smelt the head of his son and held him in a close embrace, O foremost one of Bharata’s race, for some time.  Gratified with the River, the great ascetic Dadhica then gave a boon to her, saying, ’The vishvadevas, the rishis, and all the tribes of the gandharvas and the apsaras, will henceforth, O blessed one, derive great happiness when oblations of thy water are presented unto them!’

Having said so unto that great river, the sage, gratified and filled with joy, then praised her in these words.  Listen to them duly, O king!  ’Thou hast taken thy rise, O highly blessed one, from the lake of Brahman in days of old.  All ascetics of rigid vows know thee, O foremost of rivers!  Always of agreeable features, thou hast done me great good!  This thy great child, O thou of the fairest complexion, will be known by the name of Sarasvata!  This thy son, capable of creating new worlds, will become known after thy name!  Indeed, that great ascetic will be known by the name of Sarasvata!  During a drought extending for twelve years, this Sarasvata, O blessed one, will teach the Vedas unto many foremost of brahmanas!  O blessed Sarasvati, through my grace, thou shalt, O beautiful one, always become the foremost of all sacred rivers!’ Even thus was the great River praised by the sage after the latter had granted her boons.  The River then, in great joy, went away, O bull of Bharata’s race, taking with her that child.