Sarasvata keeps the Vedas through the drought

The river's foster son alone remembers the Vedas after a twelve-year drought and teaches sixty thousand sages.

The story, beat by beat

1. The sage Dadhicha's son is carried and brought forth by the river Sarasvati, who presents him to his father.
2. Dadhicha names him Sarasvata, foretells the drought and blesses the river.
3. Dadhicha gives up his life so that the gods can make weapons of his bones.
4. A twelve-year drought scatters the sages in search of food.
5. The river tells Sarasvata to stay and feeds him with large fish.
6. The returning sages find they have lost the Vedas.
7. One of them finds the boy reciting alone; all ask him to teach them.
8. He insists they become pupils properly, saying greatness is knowledge of the Veda, not age.
9. Sixty thousand sages become his pupils, each bringing a handful of grass for his seat.

drought memory teacher youth veda