O revered earth, you who hold all the treasures of the world, you are the ultimate refuge for those who protect and cherish the land. Whoever worships you and recites this sacred hymn, which is filled with great merit, attains the spiritual benefit equal to the noble act of gifting land. By reciting the hymn, one is freed from sins, especially those incurred by digging for water or earth. Even the sin arising from performing śrāddha ceremonies on another’s land is washed away, leaving no doubt of one’s purification. O sage, the wise know that the recitation of this hymn liberates them from such burdens. Nārada then spoke, explaining the various acts that can lead to sin in relation to the earth: performing śrāddha on another’s land, in a well, or using water from a well; digging for water or earth; abandoning seeds; and other transgressions connected to the earth, which are considered most severe. In response, Nārāyaṇa advised that one should go to the temple of Viṣṇu, purified by the evening rites, especially for the sake of the brāhmaṇa. He continued, describing the merit and consequences of actions involving land: whoever gives land, rich with all crops, to a brāhmaṇa; whoever gives or takes a village, land, or grain; whoever approves such gifts; and whoever deprives a brāhmaṇa of his livelihood, whether given by himself or another. Such deprivation leads to ruin for the individual and his descendants. Removing the path of cows to plant crops, clearing a cow-pen or pond and giving away the path or crops, bathing in another’s well without offering the five oblations, secretly discarding seed upon the earth out of desire, making water-waves or digging for water, constructing a well in another’s abandoned well, removing mud from another’s pond and discarding it, neglecting to offer the rice-ball to one’s father or the guardian of the departed, and placing a lamp upon the ground—all these acts carry consequences. Placing a lamp upon the earth results in blindness for seven births. Further, placing precious items—pearls, rubies, diamonds, gold, gems—or a Śiva-liṅga or a worshipped stone image upon the earth, as well as placing a hymn, mantra, water from a stone, flower, tulasī leaf, rosary, garland of flowers, camphor, yellow pigment, sandalwood, rudrākṣa beads, or kuśa grass roots upon the ground, all incur sin. Even placing a book or a sacrificial thread upon the earth is considered a transgression equal to the killing of a brāhmaṇa. After performing a sacrifice, failing to sprinkle the ground with milk, or digging the earth during an earthquake or an eclipse, also brings sin. The earth herself, born from the thighs of Hari, is called Urvī. She is diminished by sacrificial offerings and rituals, and absorbed at dissolution. She is the daughter of Kaśyapa, the immovable one, embodying stability. She is called Pṛthvī, for she is the daughter of Pṛthu, and Mahī, O sage, for her vastness. Nārada then asked, “Now, O best of those who know the Vedas, tell me the story of Gaṅgā. How did the goddess of gods, Gaṅgā, come to Bhārata from the feet of the lord of Bhārata? In what place, in which age, and by whose request was she sent forth?