Vyasa, seeing the deep devotion of his listener to the sacred Ganga, spoke again with warmth and reverence: “Let me tell you once more, for your love of Jahnavi is pure. Truly blessed are the feet of those who walk along her banks, for among all people, they are most fortunate. Blessed too are those ears that hear the thunderous roar of her waves, and the tongue that savors the sweetness of her water. The eyes that gaze upon the beauty of her flowing waves, and the forehead marked with her sacred water, are praised and honored. The hands that worship Hari on the banks of Jahnavi, and the body purified in her clear waters, find their lives fruitful beyond measure. O best of the twice-born, the body that falls on her banks grants the fruits of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha—the four aims of life. All ancestors residing in heaven gather at the bank of Jahnavi, rejoicing as they witness their descendant approaching. They exclaim, ‘We performed this merit in the past to attain such a blessed destination. Now, through our son and the waters of Ganga, we are satisfied. The offerings he gives us in Ganga will become inexhaustible, and by them, we shall reach the supreme abode, difficult even for the gods to attain.’ All offerings made to ancestors at Ganga’s banks become inexhaustible. Even those ancestors suffering in hell, tormented by pain, rejoice when they see their son coming to Jahnavi. They say, ‘Whatever sins we committed that led us to hell—all these will be destroyed by the grace of our son. We shall be freed from unbearable torment, and by his grace, we shall attain the highest state.’ But if a mortal, after setting out for Ganga, turns back home out of delusion, all his ancestors lose hope, just as those departed do if he brings offerings, engages in sensual pleasures, or rides on swings, horses, or elephants. On the journey to Ganga, one should avoid wearing shoes or carrying an umbrella. He must not complain about the hardships or fatigue of the road, nor should he long for the comfort of home or the ease of bathing in Ganga there. Speaking falsehoods or associating with heretics must be avoided. He should not eat twice, nor quarrel, slander, indulge in greed, pride, anger, or envy. Excessive laughter and sorrow are to be shunned; instead, he should imagine himself as sleeping on a cot or lying on the ground. As he travels, he should recite the auspicious names of Ganga and speak of the greatness of goddess Jahnavi, destroyer of all sins. He should praise her as the giver of happiness and liberation, saying, ‘O Ganga, goddess, mother of the world, grant me your vision.’ With gentle words, he should dispel his fatigue, reflecting, ‘Alas, how have I left my home, or how have I come here?’ But those who complain, ‘Where is my bed, my wife, my dear home? I sleep on the ground in the wilderness; what will happen to my wealth and possessions? When will I return home?’—such thoughts prevent them from attaining the full fruit of bathing in Ganga. This journey is meant for reaching her sacred bank. He should pray, ‘By your grace, O best of rivers, may I attain success without obstacles.’ Especially during the journey, he should recite the prescribed mantra. Jaimini, one should depart joyfully from home, accompanied by Vaishnavas, neither too quickly nor too slowly. During the journey, the wise should perform no other acts. Even at Prayaga, at Ganga’s bank, engaging in business or similar activities causes half the merit to be lost. Yet, whatever sins have accumulated over countless births, whether small or great, will be destroyed by the grace of goddess Ganga. Saying this, the wise, supremely pleased, proceeds to her bank. Upon seeing mother Ganga, he should recite: ‘Today my birth is fruitful, and my life well lived. I have beheld you directly as the embodiment of Brahman; by your vision alone, my great sins are destroyed. Sins from millions of births are annihilated.’ Having spoken thus, he casts his entire body upon the earth and bows to goddess Jahnavi with deep devotion. Near the stream, with joined hands, he recites again: ‘O Ganga, Goddess, Mother of the world, with your feet’s water I touch—may you kindly forgive my offense. Your pure water is the stairway to heaven. Therefore, I touch your feet, O Ganga, obeisance to you again and again.’ With devotion, he places Ganga’s water upon his head. To bathe, the wise one enters the stream, chanting ‘Ganga,’ and smears his body with her smooth mud, which destroys all sins. He prays, ‘O Mother, remove my sin,’ and, smeared with Ganga’s mud, continues chanting ‘Ganga, Ganga.’ He bathes in Ganga, which destroys all impurities, and then, as instructed, takes clay. With the prescribed mantra, he bathes again with devotion, honoring the sacred ritual. Thus, Vyasa revealed the blessed journey, the sacred encounter, and the transformative power of devotion to goddess Ganga, whose grace purifies all and grants liberation.