O Rama, it is declared in all the scriptures that whatever food a person eats, that very food is partaken by the deities of his ancestors. Thus, when the rice-ball offering slipped from Rama’s hand to the ground, he looked around and saw neither his father nor the body that had lain at the supreme funeral site. In that sacred moment, a remembrance arose that dispelled the weight of great sins. Suddenly, the guardians of the worlds—the Rudras, the Adityas, and the Ashvins—arrived, each riding their own celestial vehicles. Among them was one of exceptional radiance, mounted upon the finest of chariots, praised by the celestial Kinnaras. Amidst these divine beings, Rama’s father shone with the brilliance of the sun. Yet Rama did not see his father as before, but only the gods resplendent in their vehicles. With hands folded in reverence, Rama asked, “Where is my father?” Then, through Sita, a divine voice addressed him. “Freed from the burden of three Brahmin-murders, King Dasharatha is now surrounded by the gods. Behold, O son,” the gods spoke, “you are blessed and accomplished, Rama. Your father has attained heaven. Blessed is the one who lifts his ancestors from the multitude of hells; such a son is praised throughout the worlds. He is adorned by this meritorious act, O mighty-armed one—see him, shining like the sun, freed from all sin in the three worlds. Even if a man possesses all wealth, if he is sinful, he is like a burnt tree; but even without possessions, a virtuous man shines like the moon-crested Lord.” Hearing this, King Dasharatha spoke to Rama, blessing him and offering heartfelt wishes. “You have fulfilled your duty; may good fortune be yours. Because of you, O sinless one, I am delivered. Blessed is the son who delivers his father in this world.” Then the hosts of gods addressed Rama for the fulfillment of their purpose: “O best of men, Rama, go as you wish.” Hearing their words, Rama spoke to the gods, “O gods, with my guru and father, what duty remains for me to perform?” The gods replied, “No river equals the Ganga; no son equals you; no god equals Shiva; and no man equals the deliverer. By you, O Rama, all duties to the elders have been fulfilled. You, O honor-giver, have delivered your ancestors. Let all return to their own places, and you too, go as you wish.” Encouraged by the words of the gods, Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana, together with Sita, beheld the greatness of the Ganga and, astonished, declared, “Ah, such is the power of the Ganga—there is nothing like it in the three worlds. We are blessed, for we have seen the Ganga, purifier of all three worlds.” Filled with great joy, Rama established the image of the god Maheshvara, worshipping that Lord with sixteen offerings and the utmost devotion. He adorned the Lord, who is covered and endowed with thirty-six energies, and, with joined palms, praised Shankara: “I bow to Shambhu, the ancient one; I bow to the all-knowing, boundless Lord. I bow to Rudra, the imperishable, and with my head I bow to Sharva. I bow to the supreme, imperishable god, the Lord of Uma, teacher of the worlds, destroyer of poverty, remover of disease. I bow to the auspicious one of inconceivable form, the source and seed of the universe, the cause of all existence and dissolution. I bow to the beloved of Gauri, the eternal, both perishable and imperishable, the embodiment of consciousness, immeasurable, the three-eyed one. I bow to the compassionate one, who also brings fear to existence; I always bow. I bow to the giver of desired things, to Soma’s lord, to Uma’s lord from the beginning. I bow to the eye of the three Vedas, to the one beyond the three forms, to the holy one beyond existence and non-existence, to the remover of sin. I bow to Him who delights in the welfare of the universe, who assumes many forms, the protector of all, the originator of existence and non-existence, to that Lord of the universe. I bow to the Lord of sacrifice, who receives offerings to both gods and ancestors, who is the path, the ever-auspicious Shiva of the worlds, worshipped and granting all, the giver beloved of gifts, the cherished deity. I bow to the Lord of Soma, who is not independent, to the victorious consort of Uma, to the Lord of obstacles, Nandinatha, beloved of his son. I bow to the God who destroys the suffering and sorrow of existence, who bears the moon, who holds the Ganga, the praiseworthy Lord, the consort of Uma, the best of gods. I bow to Him whose lotus feet are worshipped by Indra and other gods and demons, to Him who, desiring to behold the faces of the goddesses, sought the three imperishable eyes. I bow to Soma, worshipped with the five nectars, fragrant ointments, incense, lamps, various beautiful flowers, diverse mantras, food offerings, and all forms of service.” Then the blessed Lord Shambhu spoke to Rama, who stood with Lakshmana: “Choose your boons, may good be yours.” Rama responded to the bull-bannered Lord, “O great Lord, may all who with devotion please you with this hymn have all their undertakings succeed. And may those whose ancestors have fallen into the ocean of hell, by the offering of rice-balls and such, be purified and reach heaven. From birth onward, whatever sins are committed by mind, speech, or body, may they be instantly destroyed here by the mere act of bathing. Here, whatever even the smallest thing is given with devotion to those in need, let all that become inexhaustible and fruitful to the giver.” Shankara, delighted, replied, “Let it be so.” When that best of gods had departed, Rama, together with his followers, slowly journeyed to the place where the Gautami river arose. From that time, that holy place became known as Rama’s Ford. There, out of compassion, an arrow fell from Lakshmana’s hand. That place became known as Arrow-Ford, the remover of all calamities.