O Rāma, listen as I recount the origins of two divine daughters born to the noble Himavat, king of mountains, and his beloved wife Menā, the graceful daughter of Meru. From Menā’s womb first came Gaṅgā, the radiant and eldest daughter, followed by Umā, her younger sister. In time, the gods, seeking to fulfill a great purpose for the welfare of all realms, approached Himavat and requested his eldest daughter, Gaṅgā—the sacred river who flows in three streams. With righteousness and compassion, Himavat granted Gaṅgā, purifier of the worlds, to serve the benefit of the three realms. Thus, the gods, their wish fulfilled, departed joyfully, having received Gaṅgā for the good of all creation. Meanwhile, the second daughter, Umā, steadfast and unmatched in beauty, embraced rigorous vows and practiced intense austerities. In recognition of her fierce penance, Himavat bestowed Umā, revered by all worlds, upon Rudra—Śiva, the blue-throated Lord. Thus, O Rāghava, these two daughters of the mountain—Gaṅgā, the best of rivers, and Umā Devī—became honored throughout the world. This, O best of the wise, is how Gaṅgā, the river that flows in three paths, first ascended to the heavens. The divine and sinless river, daughter of the mountain king, rose to the world of the gods, bearing her sacred waters. After hearing this sacred tale, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, eager for deeper understanding, respectfully addressed the venerable sage Viśvāmitra: “O Brāhmaṇa, you have told a righteous and supreme account. Please describe in detail the birth of Gaṅgā, eldest daughter of the mountain king. By what cause does she, the purifier of worlds, flow in three paths? How did she become renowned as the threefold-flowing river? In the three worlds, through whose actions and by what deeds did she take her course?” Viśvāmitra, rich in wisdom and austerity, replied amidst the sages: “Long ago, O Rāma, the great ascetic Śitikaṇṭha—Śiva—was newly wed to Umā. The blessed Lord, captivated by the goddess, dwelled in union with her, and thus a hundred divine years passed. Yet, no son was born to them, and the gods, led by the Grandsire Brahmā, grew anxious. They wondered, ‘If a being is born of such power, who could withstand it?’ The gods approached Śiva, bowed in reverence, and pleaded: ‘O Lord of gods, for the welfare of all worlds, please show us your favor. The worlds cannot bear your combined energy. Endowed with Brahmā’s austerity, restrain your power and protect creation.’ Hearing their words, the great Lord agreed: ‘So be it. I shall restrain my energy, together with the goddess, for the peace of gods and earth. But tell me, who will bear this supreme energy that has already been stirred?’ The gods replied, ‘O Bull-bannered One, let the earth bear your energy.’ Thus addressed, Śiva released his great power, filling the earth with mountains and forests. Then the gods instructed Agni, ‘O Fire, enter with your fierce energy, accompanied by Wind.’ Obeying, Agni entered, and from this union arose the White Mountain and the divine Saravana, both shining like fire and sun. There, Kartikeya, radiant and mighty, was born from Agni. At this time, the gods and sages worshipped Umā and Śiva with great devotion, their hearts filled with joy. Yet, Umā, angered by the restraint placed upon her, cursed the gods: ‘Because I was denied a child, you too shall not beget offspring in your own wives—from this day, may your wives be childless.’ She further cursed the earth: ‘O earth, you shall not have a single form, but become one with many wives. And you, who rejected my son, shall not know the joy of a child, for you have angered me.’ Seeing the gods afflicted by these curses, Śiva withdrew to the northern slopes of Himavat and undertook austerities there, accompanied by Umā. Thus, O Rāma, I have recounted the tale of the mountain’s daughters. Now, listen as I tell of Gaṅgā’s divine origin. While Śiva performed his austerities, the gods, led by Indra and Agni, approached the Grandfather Brahmā, seeking a commander for their celestial army. And so, the story of Gaṅgā’s descent and her role in the destiny of the worlds began to unfold.