Sarasvati

Vasishtha and Vishvamitra were caught in a conflict, and Sarasvati found herself between their demands. Vasishtha asked her to carry him towards Vishvamitra, warning that otherwise the angry sage might curse her. Sarasvati considered what to do. She remembered Vasishtha's compassion and decided to act on his request. She saw Vasishtha meditating and Koushika offering oblations along the banks, then bore Vasishtha towards Vishvamitra's hermitage. This did not end the danger. When Vishvamitra saw Vasishtha arrive, anger overcame him and he looked for a weapon to kill the rishi. Afraid that a brahmana would be killed, Sarasvati swiftly carried Vasishtha back to the eastern bank. She had brought him to Vishvamitra and then removed him from the threat of immediate violence.

Vishvamitra took her return as deception. He cursed her waters to become blood, acceptable only to rakshasas. For an entire year, Sarasvati flowed with blood instead of water. The rishis, gods, gandharvas and apsaras were distressed to see her in this state. After some time, ascetics visited the river's sacred places. At one terrible place, they found its waters covered in blood and saw many rakshasas drinking. The sages, bound by their vows, made great efforts to save Sarasvati from the rakshasas.