Uma, the revered mother and benefactor of all the worlds, gentle and renowned as Shruti herself, the source of both worldly enjoyment and final liberation, sat in tranquil majesty. She, the ruler of the three realms, addressed her son, the elephant-faced Lord, with words of wisdom and compassion. Hearing his mother's gentle command, Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, folded his hands and spoke with devotion: “Mother, instruct me in what must be done; I will accomplish it without hesitation.” Uma then spoke to her beloved son, who dwells in the matted locks of Maheshvara: “Bring down the holy Ganga, for she is truly dear to the Lord. Remember, my child, the Lord himself ever abides there in a wondrous form. Wherever Shiva is present, the eternal Vedas are also found. There, too, dwell all the sages, humans, and ancestors. Therefore, turn back the Lord, the god of gods, Maheshvara. When the goddess Ganga withdraws, all the other sacred rivers will also withdraw. Hear me well—turn her away from Shankara with all your being.” Hearing these words from his mother, Ganesha, Lord of the Ganas, replied with humility: “Mother, even I cannot turn away the god Shiva, nor can Ganga be withdrawn while Shiva himself remains. Even the gods are powerless to withdraw her. Nor can the Mother of the Worlds be turned away. There is another reason as well: Ganga was once brought down before by the great sage Gautama, who is honored by the world and is the benefactor of the three realms. Through gentle means and the power of his words, radiant with Brahman’s brilliance, he accomplished this.” Ganesha continued, “Having worshipped the Lord of gods, Bhava, with austerities and hymns, when Shankara was pleased, he spoke to Gautama: ‘Choose any boon, auspicious and dear to you, whatever your heart desires; today I will grant it, O great-minded one.’ Thus addressed by Shiva, Gautama, as I listened, spoke only this: ‘O Shankara with matted locks, grant me the holy Ganga. I have no need for any other boon.’ Shambhu, benefactor of all worlds, replied, ‘You have not asked anything for yourself; therefore, ask for something difficult to obtain.’ Gautama, steadfast in spirit, with joined palms, spoke to Bhava: ‘This alone is difficult for all—to see you. By your grace, O Shankara, I have attained this today. Even by remembering your feet, the wise become fulfilled; what then, when seeing you directly, O Great Lord?’” “When Gautama spoke thus, Bhava, filled with joy, said, ‘For the benefit of the three worlds, you have made this request.’ But Shiva said again, ‘You do not ask for yourself, O great-minded one.’ Thus addressed, the sage, after meditating, spoke to Shiva accordingly—humble, undepressed in spirit, filled with devotion to Shiva, and seeking the good of all beings. Gautama again made his request before the assembled guardians of the worlds: ‘As long as the goddess, sent forth from Brahma’s mountain, flows to the ocean, O Bull-bannered One, she must remain everywhere and always. O Lord of the world, you alone are the giver of fruits to those who desire results. Other holy places, O Lord of gods, are auspicious only here and there. Wherever your presence abides always, that place is known as auspicious. Wherever the Ganga, given by you, rests upon your matted crown, O Shankara, by your presence all holy places are found there.’ Hearing Gautama’s words, Shiva spoke again with joy: ‘Wherever, in whatever way, and by whomever, with devotion, pilgrimage, bathing, giving, or offerings to the ancestors are performed—hearing, reciting, or remembering, O Gautama, whoever does so with devotion and self-control at the Godavari—the earth with its seven continents, mountains, forests, groves, adorned with gems, herbs, and oceans, and graced by righteousness—all the merit that arises from giving is attained by remembering the Godavari; such is declared, O Brahmin, as equal to the gift of cows. At the time of lunar or solar eclipses, in my presence, with self-restraint, whoever with devotion always offers to Vishnu, the supporter of the earth, is truly wise. Whoever gives beautiful cows with calves at the renowned confluence, O best of twice-born, whatever merit is gained there—therefore, a person attains great merit through bathing, giving, and the like, with devotion, at the Godavari, the great river worshipped by the world. Therefore, the Godavari will become the Ganga, led by you, destroying all sins and granting all desires.’” Ganesha concluded, “This I have heard, O Mother, from Shiva as he spoke to Gautama. For this reason, Shambhu is ever established in the Ganga. Who is able to turn away that ocean of compassion, O Mother? Yet, Mother, this may happen to humans through the bonds of obstacles. Bound by them, they do not approach even the nearby Godavari, nor do they bow to the god Shiva, nor remember or praise him. Therefore, Mother, I shall act for your satisfaction; if there is hardship in restraining, forgive my words.” “From that time on, the Lord of obstacles creates some hindrance for humans; but whoever worships him proceeds without obstruction. Yet, disregarding obstacles, whoever approaches the Godavari with devotion becomes fulfilled in this world, with nothing left undone.