With deep reverence, I bow to Shambhu, the ancient and eternal person, the all-knowing and boundless one. I offer my salutations to Rudra, the imperishable Lord, and with my head bowed low, I honor Sharva. I bow to the supreme, imperishable god, the beloved Lord of Uma, the teacher of all worlds, the destroyer of poverty and remover of disease. With devotion, I bow to the auspicious one whose form is beyond comprehension, the very seed and source of the universe. I honor the one who is the cause of the world’s existence and, too, the one who brings about its dissolution. I bow to the beloved of Gauri, the imperishable one, who is both eternal and the embodiment of all that is perishable and imperishable. To the three-eyed Lord, the embodiment of consciousness and immeasurable in nature, I bow deeply. I offer my salutations to the compassionate one, who is also the bringer of fear within existence, and to the giver of all that is desired. I bow to Soma’s Lord, to Uma’s Lord from the beginning of time. I bow to the one who is the eye of the three Vedas, who transcends the three forms, who is holy and exists beyond both being and non-being, the remover of all sin. To Him who delights in the welfare of the universe, who assumes countless forms and protects all, the originator of both existence and non-existence, I offer my salutations again and again. I bow to the Lord of sacrifice, who is the recipient of offerings made to gods and ancestors, who is the path itself, the ever-auspicious Shiva of the worlds, worshipped by all and the most generous giver, beloved of gifts. I bow to the Lord of Soma, who is not independent, to the victorious consort of Uma. With my head, I bow 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 crescent moon, who holds the sacred Ganga, the praiseworthy Lord, the consort of Uma, the best of gods. I bow to Him whose lotus feet are worshipped by Indra, the lord of the city of the unborn, and by other gods and demons. I bow to Him who, longing to behold the faces of the goddesses, desired three imperishable eyes. I bow to Soma, worshipped with the five nectars, with fragrant ointments, incense, lamps, beautiful flowers, diverse mantras, offerings of food, and every form of service. Then, that blessed Lord Shambhu spoke to Rama, who stood there with Lakshmana: “Choose your boons, may good be yours.” Rama, with devotion, addressed the bull-bannered one, saying, “O great Lord, may all those who please you with this hymn, offered with devotion, find success in all their undertakings. And those whose ancestors have fallen into the ocean of hell—may they, through the offering of rice-balls and other rites, be purified and reach heaven, O Shambhu. “From birth onward, whatever sins are committed by mind, speech, or body, let them be instantly destroyed here, simply by bathing. And whatever is given here, even the smallest thing, with devotion to those in need, may it become inexhaustible and bear fruit for the giver.” Pleased, Shankara replied, “Let it be so.” And when that best of gods had departed, Rama, along with his followers, slowly made his way to the place where the sacred Gautami river arose. From that time forward, that holy place became known as Rama’s Ford. There, out of compassion, an arrow slipped from Lakshmana’s hand, and where it fell became known as the Arrow-Ford, a place that removes all calamities. Where the son of Sumitra bathed and worshipped Shankara became Lakshmana’s Ford, and there too was the place of Sita’s emergence. By the touch of Rama’s feet, the Ganga gained the power to uproot all manner of sins, purifying the three worlds. Where Rama bathed—what need is there to speak of its greatness? Nowhere else is there a ford equal to Rama’s Ford. That sacred ford is known as Putra-tirtha, renowned for its holiness. By its greatness, as declared in the scriptures, all desires may be fulfilled. Now, O Narada, listen attentively as I describe its true nature. When the sons of Diti, the Danavas, became diminished and the sons of Aditi, the eldest, flourished in every way, Diti lamented: “Our children have dwindled, O gentle one. What can we do? In this world, action is most esteemed. See how the lineage of Aditi remains unbroken, endowed with sovereignty, fame, and victory. “Their enemies are conquered, their virtue and fame exalted, and they know how to dispel the sorrow of my heart. Though we are equals in husband, conduct, lineage, and even form, I cannot endure their prosperity and rise. I am worn out, seeing the sons born of Aditi, and I follow a wretched fate, having witnessed her supreme abundance.” As Diti spoke thus, her face dejected and sighing deeply, the son of Brahma, honoring her and free from fatigue, comforted her with pleasing words: “Do not be distressed, O gentle one. What is desired is attained only through merit. The means for that is known by the great-souled Prajapati; he will tell you.” She, virtuous and humble, bowed with all her heart. Then Danu spoke to Diti: “O gentle one, please your husband Kashyapa with your virtues. If the husband is pleased, then your desires will be fulfilled.” Accepting this, Diti pleased Kashyapa with all her heart. Then the venerable Prajapati Kashyapa spoke to her: “What shall I give you? Speak your wish, O Diti, choose, O virtuous one.” Diti replied to her husband: “A son endowed with many virtues, a conqueror of all worlds, honored by all beings. By whose birth in this world I may become the mother of a heroic son—such a boon I choose, O lord of the gods,” she said, full of humility. Kashyapa responded, “I shall instruct you in a supreme vow, yielding its fruit after twelve years. When it is complete, I will grant you the child you desire. When one is born free from sin, all wishes are fulfilled.” Delighted by her husband’s words, Diti, wide-eyed, performed the vow as instructed, following every detail carefully. For, indeed, those who neglect service at sacred places, giving to the worthy, and the practice of vows—how can they, in this world, attain their desires?