When Shiva declared, “Liberation is granted to you and to them,” he vanished from sight, leaving behind a sense of divine fulfillment. At that moment, the sacred river Gaṅgā, pure and radiant, followed Bhagiratha, purifying the entire world as she flowed. Her descent was so wondrous that she became renowned throughout the three worlds as Bhāgīrathī, a name that honored Bhagiratha’s devotion and the river’s sanctifying power. As Gaṅgā flooded the land, her waters brought supreme blessings. Those souls who had been sunk in hell were instantly lifted up, freed from their sins by the touch of her holy waters. Bathed in Gaṅgā, they were honored by Bhagiratha himself. With reverence, he bowed to them, worshipped them properly, and addressed them with a heart full of joy: “Freed, ascend the celestial chariot and go to Viṣṇu’s abode.” At his words, those liberated souls assumed divine bodies and journeyed to Viṣṇu’s world. From that day, Gaṅgā was celebrated in all realms as the destroyer of great sins. It was proclaimed that whoever recites or even listens to this sacred account attains the merit of bathing in the Ganges. Such a person reaches the abode of Viṣṇu, from which there is no return. Thus, the supreme glory of the Ganges, which destroys all sins, was revealed. Then, O Sūta, you asked further of the eminent sage Sanaka. What was asked again, I will now recount exactly as it was spoken. Having listened, the son of Brahma, Sanaka, respectfully inquired: “O compassionate sage, I wish to hear from you the greatness of the Ganges, which destroys sin. 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 in serving the devotees, hardly anyone attains the yoga of devotion. Therefore, O best of sages, you are a devotee of Viṣṇu, O giver of honor, declare it now. Again and again, I ask about the deeds of the wielder of the Śārṅga bow. By whom Hari is pleased, to them he grants fearlessness likewise. For him, happiness arises here and hereafter, and his austerities increase. The great sages say that they attain the supreme abode. A man, having fasted, should worship properly, endowed with faith. With fragrance, flowers, unbroken rice, incense, lamps, and suitable offerings, he should worship Viṣṇu, saying, ‘Obeisance to you, Keśava.’ At night, one should remain awake near the village of the temple, and with songs, musical instruments, offerings, snacks, and meals, one should worship Keśava. Again, rising in the morning, one should perform the prescribed duties. One should offer rice pudding mixed with ghee and accompanied by coconut fruit. Keśava, the slayer of Keśi, the divine one, grants all prosperity. Afterwards, one should feed the Brahmins together with relatives, according to one’s ability. Thus, whoever performs this excellent worship of Keśava with devotion—in the month of Pauṣa, on the bright fortnight, on the twelfth day, having fasted—should bathe the deity with milk and offer rice pudding as sacred food. With incense, lamps, offerings, fragrant substances, and delightful flowers, one should give cooked rice with ghee as a gift to a Brahmin. Nārāyaṇa becomes pleased by the giving of cooked rice. In this way, the greatness of the Ganges and the worship of Viṣṇu are celebrated, bestowing liberation, merit, and divine blessings upon all who follow these sacred practices.