"In the later mythology, as is well known, Sarasvati was identified with Vach, and became under various names the spouse of Brahma, and the goddess of wisdom and eloquence, and is invoked as a Muse. In the Mahabharata she is called the mother of the Vedas, and the same is said of Vach in the Taittariya Brahmana where she is said to be the wife of Indra, to contain within herself all worlds, and to have been sought after by the Rishis who composed the Vedic hymns, as well as by the gods through austerity." [**]

In the Puranas, Sarasvati is spoken of under other titles. A verse in the "Matsya Purana" gives authority for the belief that one goddess only is intended, though she is called by several names: "Brahma next formed from his own immaculate substance a female, who is celebrated under the names of Satarupa, Savitri,

[paragraph continues] Sarasvati, Gayatri, and Brahmani." In the following legend from the "Skanda Purana," [**] though by Savitri Sarasvati is intended, Gayatri represents some other person who became a second wife of Brahma. Iswara (Siva) is addressing Devi (Parvati):--

"Listen, O Devi, and I will tell you how Savitri forsook Brahma, and he in consequence espoused Gayatri. The Vedas have declared the great advantages which are derived from sacrifice, by which the gods are delighted, and therefore bestow rain upon the earth. . . . To secure therefore the verdure and vitality of the three worlds, I perform sacrifices; and, in imitation of me, sacrifices are performed by gods and men. For the same purpose Brahma and his wife Savitri, the immortals, and the holy sages repaired to Pushkara; but when all the preparations had been made, with all due rites and ceremonies, for performing the sacrifices, Savitri, detained by some household affairs, was not in attendance. A priest accordingly went to call her; but she replied, I have not yet completed my dress, nor arranged several affairs. Lakshmi, and Bhavani, and Ganga, and Svaha, and Indrani, and the wives of the other gods and of the holy sages, have not yet arrived, and how therefore can I enter the assembly alone?'

"The priest returned, and thus addressed Brahma: 'Savitri is engaged and will not come; but without a wife what advantage can be derived from these rites?' The god, incensed at the conduct of Savitri, thus spoke to Indra: 'Hasten, and, in obedience to my order, bring a wife from wherever you can find one.' Indra proceeded accordingly; and as he passed hastily along, saw a milkmaid, young, beautiful, and of a smiling countenance, carrying a jar of butter. He seized her and