The story of creation and Saraswati Devi

Ya Devi Stuyate 
Nityam Vibhu ha ir veda paragaih
SaMe Vasatu Jihvagre 
Brahmarupa Saraswati

A word to word translation of above mantra would be:

oh Goddess I pray to you, 

the supreme the eternal carrier of the seed of knowledge

may you reside on the tip of my tongue

as does a precious drop of fluid in the form of an ever expanding pool of cosmic energy.

[Veda Paragaih is an important word here. Parag means pollen, which is a substance comprising of male microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce male gametes (sperm cells). The pollen is what is transported from plant to plant by the wind, by birds, by insects or by other animals and this spread of pollen helps to fertilize plants and support creation. Veda Paragaih is thus the seed that contains within it all the knowledge.]

[Brahmarupa means the face of creation (form of what expands) and Saraswati is formed off Sa-ras meaning a pond of water and Swati means a precious drop. And thus Saraswati represents Learning, Knowledge and Wisdom, the means through which one attains the precious drop of fluid (described as Amritam) that creates an ever-expanding ocean called Brahman where the cycle of life and death goes on forever.]

And heres the story of how Saraswati Devi came to be:

In the beginning there was chaos. Everything existed in a formless, fluid state. "How do I bring order to this disorder?" wondered Brahma, the creator. "With Knowledge", said Devi.

Heralded by a peacock, sacred books in one hand and a veena in the other dressed in white Devi emerged from Brahma's mouth riding a swan as the goddess Saraswati.

"Knowledge helps man find possibilities where once he saw problems." Said the goddess. 

Under her tutelage Brahma acquired the ability to sense, think, comprehend and communicate. He began looking upon chaos with eyes of wisdom and thus saw the beautiful potential that lay therein.

Brahma discovered the melody of mantras in the cacophony of chaos. In his joy he named Saraswati, Vagdevi, goddess of speech and sound.

The sound of mantras filled the universe with vital energy, or prana. Things began to take shape and the cosmos acquired a structure: the sky dotted with stars rose to form the heavens; the sea sank into the abyss below, the earth stood in between.

Brahma thus became the creator of the world with Saraswati as his wisdom. And Saraswati was the first being to come into Brahma's world. 

Note that the universe was created from Chaos, Ignorance and Darkness which is explained as Tama Guna or Tamas. Knowledge is what removes Darkness and Ignorance giving way to Passion which fuels creativity. Creation, started with Raja Guna or Rajas, represents Passion.

Then comes the story of how Saraswati became Shatrupa and Brahma's curse:

After having created the world with Saraswati, Brahma began to look upon her with eyes of desire. She turned away saying, "All I offer must be used to elevate the spirit, not indulge the senses."

Brahma could not control his amorous thoughts and his infatuation for the lovely goddess grew. He continued to stare at Saraswati. He gave himself four heads facing every direction so that he could always be able to feast his eyes on Saraswati's beauty (The four faces of Brahma are said to represent the four Vedas).

Saraswati moved away from Brahma, first taking the form of a cow. Brahma then followed her as a bull. Saraswati then changed into a mare; Brahma gave chase as a horse. Every time Saraswati turned into a bird or a beast he followed her as the corresponding male equivalent. No matter how hard Brahma tried he could not catch Saraswati in any of her forms.

The goddess with multiple forms came to be known as Shatarupa. She personified material reality, alluring yet fleeting.

Angered by his display of unbridled passion Saraswati cursed Brahma, "You have filled the world with longing that is the seed of unhappiness. You have fettered the soul in the flesh. You are not worthy of reverence. May there be hardly any temple or festival in your name."

So it came to pass that there are only two temples of Brahma in India; one at Pushkar, Rajistan and the other in Kumbhakonam, Tamil Nadu.

Note how true knowledge eludes one who is consumed with selfish unbridled passion & desire.

Then comes the story of how Saraswati became Brahma's wife:

Undaunted by the curse, Brahma continued to cast his lustful looks upon Saraswati. He gave himself a fifth head to enhance his gaze.

Brahma's action motivated by desire confined consciousness and excited the ego. It disturbed the serenity of the cosmos and roused Shiva, the supreme ascetic from his meditation.

Shiva opened his eyes, sensed Saraswati's discomfort and in a fit of rage turned into Bhairava, lord of terror. His eyes were red, his growl menacing. He lunged towards Brahma and with his sharp claws, wretched off Brahma's fifth head. Brahma's cut head seared through Bhairava's flesh and clung to his hand sapping him of all his strength and driving him mad. The lord of terror ranted and raved losing control of his senses.

The violence subdued Brahma's passion. And Saraswati, pleased with Bhairava's timely action, rushed to his rescue. With her gentle touch she nursed him like a child, restoring his sanity.

Brahma, sobered by his encounter with the Lord of terror sought an escape from the maze of his own desire. Saraswati revealed to him the doctrine for his own liberation.

Brahma sought to conduct a yajñāh, fire sacrifice, to cleanse himself and start anew. In order to conduct a yagna ritual the assistance of a wife is needed. Brahma chose Saraswati to be his wife and thus they were reconciled.

Note how Tamas results where desire & selfishness prevail and where passion runs uncontrolled. And though knowledge removes tamas, it comes not from tamas but from sacrifice. These stories have a lot of hidden metaphors about the nature of life, one only needs to read these with devotion.