When Shiva saw the sage Gautama, he addressed him with gentle insight, “You do not ask for yourself, O great-minded one.” Upon hearing these words, Gautama, filled with humility and unwavering devotion to Shiva, entered a deep meditation. When he emerged, he spoke again before Shiva, in the presence of the guardians of the worlds, his heart intent on the welfare of all beings. He said, “O Bull-bannered Lord, as long as the goddess Ganga, who was sent forth from Brahma’s mountain, flows to the ocean, may she remain present everywhere and at all times. O Lord of the world, you alone are the true bestower of the fruits sought by those who desire results. Other holy places, O Lord of gods, are auspicious only in some places and at certain times. Wherever your divine presence abides, that place becomes sacred; and wherever the Ganga, whom you hold in your matted hair, rests, all holy places are found there by your presence, O Shankara.” Shiva, delighted by the sage’s words, spoke again with joy. “Wherever and however, by whomever, acts of devotion are performed—be it pilgrimage, bathing, charity, or offerings to the ancestors—if these are done with devotion and self-control, especially at the Godavari, O Gautama, whether by hearing, reciting, or remembering, immense merit is gained. The whole earth, with its seven continents, mountains, forests, groves, precious gems, herbs, and oceans, graced by righteousness—all the merit that arises from giving, O Gautama, is attained simply by remembering the Godavari. This is declared, O Brahmin, to be equal to the gift of cows. At the time of lunar or solar eclipses, in my presence, whoever, with self-restraint and devotion, offers to Vishnu, the supporter of the earth, is truly wise. Whoever gives beautiful cows with calves at the renowned confluence, O best of the twice-born, attains great merit, just as one does through bathing and charity at the Godavari, that great and world-revered river. Therefore, the Godavari shall become as sacred as the Ganga, led by you, destroying all sins and granting all desires. This, O Mother, I have heard from Shiva as he spoke to Gautama. For this reason, Shambhu is ever established in the Ganga. Who can turn away that ocean of compassion, O Mother? Yet, sometimes, humans, bound by obstacles, are unable to approach even the nearby Godavari, nor do they bow to Shiva, nor remember or praise him. Therefore, Mother, I shall act for your satisfaction; and if there is any hardship in restraining, forgive my words. From then on, the Lord of obstacles creates hindrances for humans; but whoever worships him proceeds without obstruction. Yet, disregarding all obstacles, whoever approaches the Godavari with devotion becomes fulfilled in this world, with nothing left undone. Many obstacles arise for those least inclined, wishing to leave their homes; but if one bows at her feet and reaches the Ganga, what fruit does he not obtain? Who can describe her power, even Sadashiva himself? I have spoken briefly, following the words of history. Whatever means exist among all moving and unmoving beings for dharma, artha, kama, and moksha—all of that is found here, fully detailed in this Itihasa. What is declared in the Vedas, the entire secret of the śruti, and the true cause—all this is named here; this Purana, filled with many dharmas, has always been rightly seen and spoken for the welfare of the worlds. Whoever listens to or recites even a verse or a line of this with devotion, or simply utters the words ‘Ganga, Ganga,’ attains great merit. This Ganga Purana, excellent and supreme, is capable of destroying the stains of Kali, bestows all accomplishments, is auspicious and holy, worthy of worship in the world, and grants the desired fruits. “Well done, Gautama! Blessings to you. Who else is equal to you, who has brought this Gautami Ganga to Dandakaranya? Whoever says ‘Ganga, Ganga,’ even from hundreds of yojanas away, is freed from all sins and reaches the world of Vishnu. Thirty-five million holy places in the three worlds come together to bathe in the Ganga when the Sun is in Leo and Jupiter is the guru. Bathing in the Bhagirathi for sixty thousand years, or bathing once in the Godavari when the Sun is in Leo and Jupiter is exalted—both grant the same merit. O son, wherever this Gautami is, by my command, she will always grant liberation to all people through bathing. The fruit obtained by performing a thousand ashvamedha sacrifices and a hundred vajapeya rituals is attained simply by hearing this. O Narada, in whose house this Purana, spoken by Brahma, is kept, there is no fear for him from the age of Kali. This supreme Purana should be told to anyone who is faithful, peaceful, a devotee of Vishnu, and a great soul. It should be recited, for it grants enjoyment and liberation, destroys sin, and by merely hearing it, a person becomes fulfilled. Whoever writes this book and gives it to a brahmin, freed from all sins, does not enter the womb again. And so, the listeners spoke: ‘We are not yet satisfied here, listening to the stories of the Lord; you should again speak the supreme secret in full. You have not fully described the infinite Vasudeva; we wish to hear, O Deva, tell us in detail.’ The sage replied, ‘O best of sages, I will declare the very essence, the highest essence, the greatness of infinite Vasudeva, which is rare on earth.