When Gautama, the sage, had requested for the benefit of the three worlds, the Lord of gods, Śaṅkara, spoke kindly to him: “You have asked this for the welfare of all. Now, ask for a boon for yourself, without fear.” Śaṅkara further granted, “Those devotees who praise you, O Goddess, with this hymn, will attain all desired prosperity—this boon I bestow.” Pleased by Gautama’s devotion, the Lord addressed him again, urging him to ask for any other boon, free from anxiety. Filled with joy, Gautama turned to Śaṅkara and spoke: “O Lord of the universe, release this Goddess, purifier of the worlds and your beloved, who dwells in your matted locks, upon the mountain of Brahmā. As long as she, the essence of all sacred waters, flows to the ocean, let sins such as brahminicide, whether by mind, speech, or body, be destroyed entirely by the mere act of bathing, especially during lunar and solar eclipses, solstices, and equinoxes. May the merit gained at holy fords during transitions or at other sacred places arise simply by remembering her, O Hara. In the Kṛta age, austerity is praised; in the Tretā, sacrifice; in the Dvāpara, sacrifice and charity; but in the Kali age, charity alone. All the duties of the ages and regions are established; the duty appropriate to each place and time is to be followed. Whatever merit is gained elsewhere through bathing, charity, and other restraints, may that merit arise here simply by remembering her, O Hara. Wherever this river flows on her way to the ocean, O Śiva, you must be present; let this be the boon granted. For ten yojanas above her, and for all within that distance, even the greatest sinners and their ancestors who come to bathe, and even those who die between baths, may they attain liberation. All the sacred fords in heaven, earth, and the netherworld together—this one surpasses them all. Enough, O Śambhu, homage to you.” Hearing Gautama’s words, Śiva replied, “So be it. There has never been, nor will there be, a ford greater than this. Truly, truly, and again truly, as established in the Veda, the Gautamī is the most sacred of all.” With these words, Śiva vanished. When the revered one worshipped by the worlds had departed, Gautama, by her command and full of power, took up the sacred river from the matted locks and, surrounded by the gods, entered Brahmagiri. As Gautama arrived and Nārada took up his matted locks, a shower of flowers fell, and the lords of the gods assembled. The great sages, Brāhmaṇas, and Kṣatriyas honored Gautama with joyful cries of victory. Having taken Gaṅgā from the matted locks of Maheśvara, Gautama came to the sacred place of Brahmā. There, at the mountain, Gautama, pure and concentrated in mind, was worshipped by the gods, Gandharvas, and those dwelling on the mountain. Placing the matted locks on the summit, remembering the three-eyed god, Gautama spoke to Gaṅgā with joined palms: “O giver of all desires, born from the matted locks of the three-eyed one, forgive, O Mother! You are peaceful—go happily, do what is beneficial.” Gaṅgā, the goddess, assuming a divine form adorned with heavenly garlands and unguents, spoke to Gautama: “Should I go to the abode of the gods, or into the water-pot, or descend to the netherworld? You have been born; you are one who speaks the truth.” Gautama replied, “For the benefit of the three worlds, I was requested by Śaṃbhu and thus given, O goddess—let it not be otherwise.” Hearing Gautama’s words, Gaṅgā accepted his statement and, dividing herself threefold, went to heaven, earth, and the netherworld. In heaven she became fourfold, on earth sevenfold, and in the netherworld fourfold—thus she assumed fifteen forms. Everywhere, she is the essence of all beings, the destroyer of all sins, the giver of all desires, eternal, as praised in the Veda. Mortals see only her earthly form, not the one that has gone to the netherworld, nor do those of ignorant mind see her who has gone to heaven. As long as the goddess flows to the ocean, she is regarded as divine; released by Gautama, she proceeded toward the eastern ocean. Gautama, tiger among sages, circumambulated the auspicious Mother of the world, who was honored by the divine sages. First worshipping the three-eyed lord of the gods, Gautama resolved, “I will bathe at both banks.” At that very moment, as soon as he remembered, the ocean of compassion appeared. Gautama asked Śarva how bathing could be accomplished there. With hands joined in reverence, devoted and bowed in faith, he addressed the three-eyed one: “O God of gods, great Lord, tell me in detail the procedure for bathing at the sacred fords, for the welfare of all worlds.” Śiva replied, “O great sage, listen as I explain the entire procedure for the Godāvarī. First, one should perform the nāndīmukha rite and purify the body. After feeding the Brāhmaṇas and receiving their permission, one should proceed in celibacy, avoiding contact with the fallen. He whose hands, feet, and mind are well-controlled, who possesses knowledge, austerity, and fame, attains the full fruit of the sacred ford.” Thus, the river, sacred and divine, was released for the benefit of all, and Gautama, guided by Śiva’s instructions, established her on earth for the welfare and liberation of countless souls.