Many obstacles beset those of lowest merit who wish to leave their homes behind, but if one surrenders at her feet and reaches the sacred Ganga, what fruit is there that he cannot obtain? The greatness of Ganga is so profound that even Sadashiva himself cannot fully describe it. I have spoken of her power only briefly, following the accounts handed down by history. All the means for achieving dharma, artha, kama, and moksha—among all beings, moving and unmoving—are found here, fully explained in this Itihasa. Everything declared in the Vedas, the deepest secrets of the shruti, and the true cause behind all, are named in this Purana. Filled with countless dharmas, it has always been rightly perceived and spoken for the welfare of the worlds. Whoever listens to or recites even a verse or a line of this Purana with devotion, or simply utters the words "Ganga, Ganga," attains merit. This Ganga Purana, excellent and supreme, has the power to destroy the stains of Kali, bestows all accomplishments, is auspicious and holy, worthy of worship throughout the world, and grants all desired fruits. Well done, Gautama! Blessings to you. Who else is equal to you, who has brought this Gautami Ganga to Dandakaranya? Whoever utters "Ganga, Ganga," even from hundreds of yojanas away, is freed from all sins and attains the world of Vishnu. When the Sun enters Leo and Jupiter is the guru, thirty-five million tirthas from the three worlds come together to bathe in the Ganga. 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 immense merit. O son, this Gautami, wherever she may be by my command, will always grant liberation to all beings through bathing. The fruit obtained by performing a thousand ashvamedha sacrifices and a hundred vajapeya rituals is attained simply by hearing this Purana. 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, devoted to Vishnu, and a great soul. It should be recited, for it grants both enjoyment and liberation, destroys sin, and by merely hearing it, one becomes fulfilled. Whoever writes this book and gives it to a brahmana, freed from all sins, does not enter the womb again. The listeners declared, "We are not yet satisfied, hearing the stories of the Lord. Please speak again the supreme secret in full. You have not yet 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. "In the beginning of the kalpa, O brahmanas, I, born from the unmanifest, summoned Visvakarman and spoke these words: 'O foremost among divine craftsmen, Visvakarman, chief of artisans, create an image of Vasudeva on earth, made of stone.' "Seeing this image, made according to proper rites, devotees—together with Indra and other humans—will recognize the great danger posed by the Daityas and Rakshasas. Having reached heaven and the peak of Mount Sumeru, and having long worshipped Vasudeva, they dwell there free from fear. "Hearing my words, Visvakarman at once made a pure image, holding the conch, discus, and mace. It was endowed with all auspicious marks, with eyes like blooming lotuses, adorned with the Srivatsa mark, exceedingly powerful, and the best of images. Its chest was adorned with a garland of forest flowers, wearing a crown and armlets, clothed in yellow garments, with broad shoulders, and decorated with earrings. "Thus, that divine image was established by me with secret mantras, at the proper time for installation, in ancient days. "At that time, Shakra, king of the gods, together with the celestial beings, went to Brahma's abode, ascending the excellent elephant. Having repeatedly worshipped the image with baths and offerings, Shakra honored it and then returned to his own city. He worshipped it for a long time, with restrained speech, body, and mind, and thus overcame the cruel Asuras, beginning with Vritra and led by Namuchi. "Having slain the terrible Danavas, Shakra enjoyed the three worlds. When the second age, Treta, arrived, the lord of the Rakshasas appeared. He was the mighty and powerful Dasagriva, who, for ten thousand years, remained without food, having conquered his senses. He performed a most severe vow, an extremely difficult austerity, and by that penance, I was satisfied and granted him a boon. "He became invulnerable to all the gods, to Daityas, Nagas, and Rakshasas, and immune to the fierce weapons of curses and to the servants of Yama. Having obtained the boon, that Rakshasa defeated the Yakshas and all these hosts, and, after conquering the lord of wealth, set out to defeat Shakra. "Engaging in a most terrible battle with the gods, that Rakshasa defeated the king of the gods, and from then on was known as Indrajit. That Rakshasa's son, named Meghanada, seized Amaravati and reached the splendid house of the king of gods. "Ravana, endowed with great strength, saw the image of Vasudeva, dark as collyrium, adorned with all auspicious marks. She was adorned with the mark of Srivatsa, her eyes wide like lotus petals, her chest encircled by a garland of forest flowers, and embellished with a crown and armlets. Holding a conch, discus, and mace in her hands, dressed in yellow garments, four-armed, adorned with every ornament, she grants all desired rewards.