All that exists—the steadfast and the moving, the great and the small, the unmanifest and the manifest, the living and the non-living—arises from the One, the supreme, who is independent, singular, and the very essence of all qualities. To that One, who stands above all qualities, I bow again and again. Through the king’s intense and unbroken austerity, the Lord manifested before him. He appeared resplendent, with three eyes, a noble form, and a serpent worn as his sacred thread. His body was draped in an elephant hide, and the gods themselves worshipped his lotus feet. Seeing this divine vision, the king rose quickly, standing before Shiva with hands joined in deep reverence. Shiva, the moon-crested Lord Śaṅkara, recognized the king’s unwavering devotion. Pleased by both his hymn and his austerity, the Lord spoke: “I am truly pleased with you.” With palms joined, the king addressed the Lord of lords, humbly requesting, “Then, grant me Gaṅgā for the liberation of my ancestors.” Shiva replied, “Liberation is granted to you and to them,” and with these words, the Lord vanished from sight. Thus, Gaṅgā, purifying the whole world, followed Bhagiratha. She became renowned throughout the three worlds as Bhāgīrathī. That supreme river, Gaṅgā, flooded the land, and at that very moment, those who had been sunk in hell were lifted up, freed from their sins. Bathed in the sacred waters of Gaṅgā, they were honored by Bhagiratha. After bowing and worshipping them properly, he addressed them with a heart full of joy: “Freed, ascend the celestial chariot and go to Viṣṇu’s abode.” Assuming divine bodies, they reached the world of Viṣṇu. From then on, Gaṅgā became famed in all the worlds as the destroyer of great sins. Whoever recites or even listens to this story gains the merit of bathing in the Ganges and attains the abode of Vishnu, from which there is no return. Thus has the supreme glory of the Ganges, destroyer of all sins, been proclaimed. Then, O Sūta, what did you further ask of the eminent sage Sanaka? What was asked again, I will now recount exactly as it was spoken. Having heard the tale, the son of Brahma, with respect, inquired once more: “O compassionate sage, from you I wish to hear further of the greatness of the Ganges, destroyer of sin. For various instructions do not forcibly awaken the mind that is truly pure and clear. The compassionate one grants devotion to those who worship; for her, liberation is indeed known as a servant. Considering the great effort involved in serving the devotees, hardly anyone attains the yoga of devotion. “Therefore, O best of sages, you who are a devotee of Vishnu, O giver of honor, declare it now. Again and again, I ask about the deeds of Hari, the wielder of the Śārṅga bow. To those whom Hari is pleased with, he grants fearlessness, and happiness arises for them both here and hereafter, and their austerities increase. The great sages say that such souls attain the supreme abode. “A man, having fasted, should worship properly, endowed with faith—using fragrance, flowers, unbroken rice, incense, lamps, and suitable offerings. He should worship Vishnu, saying, ‘Obeisance to you, Keśava.’ At night, he should remain awake near the temple’s village, worshipping Keśava with songs, musical instruments, offerings, snacks, and meals.” Thus, the tale of the descent of Gaṅgā and the path to devotion was lovingly recounted, revealing the supreme merit and the way to liberation through faith, worship, and the grace of the Lord.