If a person is touched by the sacred waters of the Ganga, he is led to the very abode of Vishnu. Freed from all sins by that contact, he attains the dwelling place of Hari. The mere sprinkling of Ganga’s drops destroys the consequences of past actions. So complete is this purification that even the righteous king of justice—Yama himself—would at once withdraw his claim on such a soul. Once, a noble king, having entrusted his entire kingdom to his ministers, renounced worldly life and departed for the forest. He journeyed to a distant, snow-covered peak, vast and magnificent, stretching sixteen yojanas in extent. There, upon that lofty summit, he undertook severe austerities. Through his great penance, he brought down the holy Ganga, the purifier of the three worlds. At this point, a question arose: “Tell me, how was the Ganga brought down? Please relate this sacred story to me.” To answer, the tale continues: The king, intent on austerity, traveled to the Himalayas and reached the bank of the Godavari River. That place teemed with life—black antelopes grazed, herds of elephants wandered, and wild boars roamed freely. The waving tails of yaks adorned the landscape. Great trees flourished everywhere, lovingly tended by the daughters of sages, and the air was fragrant with mālatī, yūthikā, kunda, campaka, and aśoka blossoms. In this wondrous setting, the king entered the hermitage of the sage Bhṛgu. The air vibrated with the profound chants of the Vedas and sacred scriptures. There he beheld Bhṛgu himself, radiant and resplendent like the sun. The sage welcomed the king with honor and respect, offering him hospitality befitting a noble guest. With humility and joined palms, the king addressed the illustrious sage: “O foremost of ascetics, I am fearful of the endless cycle of worldly existence. I seek from you the means for the deliverance of all people. Please, O all-knowing one, show me your favor and instruct me. How can one deliver his entire lineage?” Bhṛgu replied, “One who truly wishes to bring deliverance must know Hari, who assumes a human form for the sake of the world. Listen well, O best of kings, for I shall tell you what you seek. Always act for the welfare of all beings, and never speak falsehood. Observe auspicious practices both day and night, and remember Viṣṇu, the eternal one. Chant the twelve- or eight-syllabled mantra, and you will attain the highest good.” The king then asked, “What is considered falsehood, and who are the wicked? How should Viṣṇu be remembered and worshipped? O wise sage, what is the twelve-syllabled mantra?” Bhṛgu praised the king’s discernment: “Excellent, excellent, O wise one! Your understanding is indeed unsurpassed. That which is spoken in accordance with reality is declared to be truth by the learned. One must consider the place, time, and circumstances, ensuring there is no contradiction within oneself. Such speech causes no suffering to any being. It helps fulfill one’s duty and prevents what ought not to be done. The discerning person, knowing righteousness and unrighteousness, speaks in ways that benefit others. “Those in the world who are hostile, foolish, and delight in wrongful paths—let them, through discernment of righteousness and unrighteousness, follow the way of the Veda. That which fosters devotion to Hari and is cherished by the virtuous is the true path. All this world is Viṣṇu; Viṣṇu is the cause of everything. He is the embodiment of all the gods, and I worship him with proper rites. Viṣṇu, who is the essence of all beings, is complete and eternal.” Thus, the king listened with devotion, learning from Bhṛgu the path of truth, duty, and devotion to Viṣṇu, the eternal Lord, who is the source and goal of all.