O King, let me tell you of the torments that await the wicked and the sacred duties that guide the righteous. For every sin committed, as laid down in the Dharma Shastra, atonements must be performed before the Lord of the Lotus. The holy Ganga, the sacred Tulasi, the company of virtuous souls, and the praise of Hari—these are the means by which one’s deeds offered to Vishnu truly bear fruit. Whether actions are regular, occasional, or performed out of desire, and whatever else leads to liberation, devotion to Hari, who is supreme among people, destroys all sins. This devotion, O best of kings, is colored by the qualities of tamas, rajas, and sattva. Tamasic devotion, which is the lowest, arises from wickedness and is not directed toward Narayana but elsewhere; it is considered middling among such forms. Even among tamasic types, there is one that is remembered as the highest. When devotion is endowed with great faith, it is the lowest form of rajasic devotion. Worship performed with supreme devotion is the middle form of rajasic devotion, and there is a highest among rajasic types as well. Among sattvic devotions, that which is endowed with supreme faith is the lowest form. Again, joined with faith, there is a middle form, and among all, the highest sattvic devotion is the best. When one is completely absorbed and satisfied in devotion, that is known as the very highest of all. One who always perceives devotion in this way is to be known as the highest of the highest; listen, O wise one, as I explain this further. Among all forms, sattvic devotion alone grants all desired results. Indeed, devotion to Janardana should be performed, even if it seems to go against one's own prescribed duties. Vishnu is not pleased by mere outward conduct, but only by that which is truly proper. Dharma itself arises from proper conduct, and the source of all dharma is the imperishable Lord. For those who lack good conduct, even the practice of dharma brings no happiness. All that you have asked, I have explained. By following this, you will easily attain the eternal, supreme Narayana. But know this: the wicked one who creates division between two people descends to hell by the millions, and the maker of discord suffers both in this world and in the next. O King, your forefathers now dwell in hell. Yet know that the Ganga destroys all sins. Whoever is touched by her sacred waters is led to the abode of Vishnu, freed from all sins, and goes to the dwelling of Hari. Even the mere sprinkling of Ganga’s drops destroys the effects of evil actions. It is said that when this was understood, the righteous king of justice immediately disappeared. Entrusting the whole earth to his ministers, he departed for the forest. He journeyed to the farthest, snow-covered peak, sixteen yojanas in extent, where he performed great austerities and brought down the Ganga, the purifier of the three worlds. Now, O wise one, you have asked how the Ganga was brought down—let me tell you. Going to the Himalaya to perform austerities, the king reached the bank of the Godavari River, a place filled with black antelopes and frequented by herds of elephants.