Bathing in sacred waters, giving gifts, and offering libations to the ancestors at these holy places—all these acts are inexhaustible in their merit, just as Lord Śiva has declared. Indeed, anyone who hears, remembers, or regularly recites the account of the Mother's fords is blessed with long life and happiness. Now, let me tell you of another ford, one that is difficult even for the gods to attain—Brahma’s Ford. This sacred place, Brahmatirtha, bestows both enjoyment and liberation upon those who come there. Long ago, when the army of the gods stood firm and the demons had retreated into the netherworld, the Mothers followed the demons there as well. At that moment, my fifth mouth—terrifying and in the form of a donkey—spoke aloud amidst the gods' assembly as I stood before them. It cried out to the demons, "O demons, why do you flee? Do not fear! Come quickly—I will devour all the gods in an instant!" The gods, seeing me intent on devouring and restraining the demons, were seized with terror and turned to Viṣṇu for help. They cried, "Save us, Viṣṇu, Lord of the universe! This is Brahmā’s mouth. O wielder of the discus, cut off its head with your weapon!" But Viṣṇu replied, "If that head is severed, it will consume all that moves and does not move. Instead, let us recite a mantra together—listen well, O gods. The three-eyed one, Śiva, is the only one who can cut off the donkey’s head and bear it. Thus have I, Śambhu, always been praised and invoked." A sacrifice that is fleeting, one that gives visible results but is powerless for the performer, does not bring true fruit. Knowing this, the world turned to other rites, understanding that Jaṭi—Śiva—alone guarantees the fruit of sacrifice. Then, the lord of the gods, pleased for the sake of the gods and the welfare of all worlds, agreed to their request, saying, "So be it." The dreadful, terrifying face—evil in form—was then severed with nails and weapons. The gods wondered, "Where should this head be placed?" Ela spoke, saying, "I am not able to bear the head; I will go to the netherworld." The ocean, too, declared, "If I bear it, I will dry up at once." The gods, seeing no other recourse, turned to Śiva: "You alone, out of compassion for the worlds, must bear Brahmā’s head." Śiva pondered: if the head is severed, the worlds will be destroyed; if it is not, the fault remains. Out of compassion, Soma’s lord, Śiva, took upon himself the burden of the head. Witnessing this difficult deed, the gods journeyed to the sacred Gautami and praised the lord of the worlds with great affection and devotion. There, the head of Brahma—fearsome and intent on devouring—approached the gods. The moon-crested one, Śiva, severed it with the tip of his nail and, despite the fault in abandoning it, bore it out of compassion. All the gods present near Brahma saw this supremely divine act and praised Śiva, the lord of the gods. From that time, the holy place became known as Brahmatirtha. Even today, Brahma’s four-faced form is established there. Whoever sees only the head at Brahmatirtha attains the abode of Brahma, where Rudra himself severed Brahma’s head. That place is also called Rudratirtha, where the sun is visibly present, and the gods abide in their own forms—making it the highest of holy places. This holy place is also known as Saurya, bestower of the fruits of all sacrifices. Bathing there and seeing the sun, one is freed from the cycle of rebirth. The fifth head of Brahma, severed by Mahadeva, was established in the field of Avimukta for the benefit of the gods. Whoever beholds only the head at Brahmatirtha, on the bank of the Gautami, in the field of Avimukta—who observes the skull of Brahma—gains great merit; even a slayer of Brahma is purified there. This holy place is called Avighna, the remover of all obstacles. Listen, O Nārada, as I recount what happened there. When a divine sacrifice was being conducted on the northern bank of the Gautami, it could not be completed due to obstacles. The hosts of gods turned to me, Hari, and I, absorbed in meditation, discerned the cause. I told them, "Because of obstacles created by Vinayaka, this sacrifice cannot be completed. Therefore, let all of you praise the primordial god Vinayaka." The gods agreed, and after bathing on the bank of the Gautami, they praised with devotion the primordial god, Lord of the Gaṇas. He is the one who must always be worshipped, saluted, and contemplated in all undertakings by gods—even by Īśa, Viṣṇu, and the lotus-born Brahmā. To that Lord of Obstacles, we take refuge. There is no god equal to the Lord of Obstacles, bestower of all desired wishes. Knowing this, even Śiva, destroyer of Tripura, worshipped him before vanquishing the ancient enemies. May he, the son of Ambikā, swiftly remove all obstacles for us in this great sacrifice. By meditating on him, the cherished desires of all embodied beings are fulfilled. A great festival arose among all when the goddess’s son was born, at the very moment of his conception. The hosts of gods, their aims accomplished, bowed to the newly born Lord of Obstacles. Even as a child, restrained by his mother, he climbed onto her lap and playfully concealed the moon in the matted locks of his father, the Lord of Hosts. Such is his playful nature. He drank his mother’s milk, yet even when satisfied, his mind was touched by jealousy toward his brother. Thus, O pot-bellied one, you became the Lord of Obstacles—Śambhu himself named you Lambodara. Surrounded by the hosts of gods, Maheśa proclaimed, "Let the dance begin!" Pleased by the mere sound of anklets, he anointed his son as Lord of the Hosts. He who holds the noose of obstacles in one hand and an axe on his shoulder with the other—even if not worshipped, he creates obstacles for his own mother. Who else is equal to the Lord of Obstacles? Among all pursuits—dharma, wealth, and desire—he is to be worshipped first by gods and asuras, and is always to be revered. His worship never leads to destruction; to that foremost one, I bow first. By worshipping him, seeing the fulfillment of every desired fruit according to one’s prayers, even the pride born of self-reliant power is surpassed. To that beloved brother, the mouse-rider, I offer my praise.