In days of yore, for doing good to the world, Narayana was born as the great Rishi Vadavamukha. While practising severe austerities on the breast of Meru, he called the Ocean to his presence. The Ocean, however, disobeyed his command. Engaged at this, the Rishi, with the heat of his body, solidified the waters of the Ocean and made them as saltish in taste as the hurnan sweat. The Rishi further said, your waters will henceforth be not drinkable. Only when the Equine-head, roving within you, will drink your waters, they will be as sweet as honey!-It is for this curse that the waters of the Ocean to this day are saltish and are drunk by no one else than the Equine-head.
नारायणो लोकहितार्थं वडवामुखो नाम पुरा महर्षिर्बभूव मेरी तपस्तप्यतः समुद्र आहूतो नागतस्तेनामर्षितेनात्मगात्रोष्मणा समुद्रः स्तिमितजलः कृतः स्वेदप्रस्यन्दनसदृशश्चाप्य लवणभावो जनितः॥ उक्तश्चाप्यपेयो भविष्यस्येतच्च ते तोयं वडवामुखसंज्ञितेन पेपीयमानं मधुरं भविष्यति तदेतदद्यापि वडवामुखसंज्ञितेनानुवर्तिना तोयं समुद्रात् पीयते॥