There are some who, on their sacred journey to the Ganga, are troubled by thoughts of fatigue and longing for comfort. They lament, “Where is my bed, where is my wife, and where is my dear home?” They worry, “I sleep on the ground in the wilderness; how did I come to be here? What will become of my wealth, my grain, and my possessions left behind?” Their minds are anxious: “In how many days will I return home again?” Such travelers, burdened by these worldly concerns as they proceed along the holy path, do not receive the full blessings of bathing in the Ganga. The pilgrimage is prescribed so that one may reach the river’s sacred bank with a pure heart. Therefore, upon setting out, one should pray: “By your grace, O best of rivers, may I attain success on this journey without obstacles.” Especially at the beginning of the pilgrimage, this prayer should be recited. O Jaimini, it is said that one should depart joyfully from home, accompanied by Vaishnavas—neither hurrying nor dawdling along the way. During this journey to the Ganga, the wise should refrain from all other pursuits. Even at Prayaga, on the river’s bank, business and similar activities should be set aside, for engaging in them causes half of one’s merit to be lost. Yet, whatever sins have accumulated over countless births, whether great or small, are destroyed by the grace of the goddess Ganga. With this understanding, the wise person, filled with supreme joy, proceeds to the Ganga’s bank. Upon beholding Mother Ganga, he recites: “Today my birth is truly fruitful, and my life has been well lived. With my own eyes I behold you, O Goddess, as the very embodiment of Brahman. By your sight alone, my great sins are destroyed.” The sins of millions of births are annihilated. Having spoken thus, he prostrates himself fully upon the earth, bowing to the goddess Jahnavi in deep devotion. Near the flowing stream, with hands joined, he again recites the mantra with devotion: “O Ganga, Goddess, Mother of the world, with the water from your feet I touch you—please forgive my offenses. Your pure water, O auspicious one, is the stairway to heaven. Therefore I touch your feet, O Ganga; obeisance to you again and again.” Then, with reverence, he places the Ganga’s water upon his head. For the sacred bath, the wise one enters the stream, chanting “Ganga.” He smears his body with the river’s smooth, sin-destroying mud, praying, “O Mother, remove my sins.” Covered in Ganga’s mud and repeating her name, he bathes in her waters, which destroy all impurities. As instructed, he takes clay once more, reciting the prescribed mantra, and bathes again with devotion. He prays, “O Ganga, embodiment of Brahman, I perform this bath in your pure water; grant me the fruit as declared.” Remembering Ganga-Narayana, he bathes by his own will, O Brahmin, honoring the Mother of the world. After bathing, he dries himself with a cloth; he is careful not to leave garments or bathing water in Ganga’s stream. He does not brush his teeth in the river, for if done out of ignorance, the merit of Ganga-bathing is lost. In the morning, he performs such acts elsewhere, then, leaving his night’s dwelling, returns to bathe in the Ganga. He makes sure to step onto external ground before entering the river, for one who neglects this does not attain the full fruit of Ganga-bathing. After bathing, he applies Ganga clay to various places on his body, then, with a steady mind, performs tarpan and other rites as prescribed. Whoever offers tarpan to the ancestors with Ganga water satisfies their forefathers for hundreds of millions of years. Those who perform ancestral rites for their forefathers on the Ganga ensure that their ancestors remain content in the abode of the gods. Having completed the bathing rituals and observed a fast, acts of charity, worship of the gods, and other auspicious rites performed there never perish. After bathing and fasting, one who has performed the five great sacrifices should worship the Ganga. With devotion, the wise person bathes the image of the goddess Ganga and the image of Shri Vishnu with divine coconut water. In the presence of Jahnavi’s image, coconut water is poured into her waters, all the while remembering Jahnavi in the heart. With divine fragrances, brightly shining lamps filled with clarified butter, incense of pleasant scent, and various delightful flowers; with well-ripened fruits, excellent offerings, water for washing the feet, arghya, water for sipping, and betel leaves mixed with khadira; with other distinguished offerings as inspired by devotion, and with various hymns, one should worship Ganga and Vishnu. After worshipping the goddess and Vishnu, the supreme lord, the wise person circumambulates them three times with devotion. The next day, remaining fasting at the river’s edge, he proclaims, “O daughter of Jahnu, I will eat; be my refuge, O sinless one.” With this resolve, the wise one, with mind, action, and speech, stays awake through the night, conquering sleep and filled with great joy. If unable to do so, he may subsist on fruits, but should not eat ordinary food nor prepare a meal. Thus, with reverence and devotion, the sacred journey and rituals of bathing in the Ganga are fulfilled, ensuring the blessings of the goddess for oneself and one’s ancestors.