O best of the wise, thus I have related to you how the sacred Gaṅgā, flowing in three streams, first ascended to the heavens. This beautiful and divine river, the daughter of the lord of mountains, rose up to the realm of the gods, stainless and bearing her holy waters. When Viśvāmitra, the eminent sage, had finished telling this wondrous tale, the heroic Rāghava and his brother Lakṣmaṇa received it with reverence and delight. They then addressed the sage with humility: “O Brāhmaṇa, you have shared with us this supreme and righteous account. We ask you now to describe in detail the birth of the eldest daughter of the king of mountains, for you alone know the full story of her divine and human origins. By what cause does the purifier of worlds, Gaṅgā, flow in three paths? How did she come to be known as the threefold-flowing one? In the three worlds, O knower of dharma, through what deeds and with whose association did she act?” Thus questioned, the great sage Viśvāmitra, surrounded by other sages, began to narrate the entire story: “O Rāma, long ago, the great ascetic Śitikaṇṭha, newly wed, beheld the goddess. The blessed Lord, Mahādeva, the blue-throated god, united with her, and as they sported together, a hundred divine years passed. Yet, O Rāma, no son was born to her. The gods, led by the Grandsire, grew greatly concerned and wondered, ‘If a being is born here, who will be able to withstand it?’ So all the gods approached Mahādeva, bowed down, and spoke: ‘O God of gods, great Lord, who delights in the welfare of the worlds, by our prostration we beg you to show us your favor. The worlds cannot bear your energy, O best of gods. Endowed as you are with Brahma’s austerity, practice penance together with the goddess. For the good of the three worlds, restrain your energy within energy; protect all these worlds—do not render them uninhabitable.’ Hearing these words, the great Lord of all worlds replied, ‘So be it.’ He then declared, ‘I shall restrain my energy with energy itself, together with the goddess; let the gods and the earth attain peace. But this supreme energy of mine, which has been stirred from its place—who will bear it? Let the best of the gods tell me this.’ Thus addressed, the gods replied, ‘The energy of yours that has been stirred today, the earth will bear it.’ So spoken to, the mighty Lord released his great energy, filling the earth with its mountains and forests. Then the gods turned to Agni, saying, ‘Enter, you of great energy, fierce and accompanied by wind.’ As Agni entered, the White Mountain and the divine Saravana arose, shining like fire and the sun. There was born the radiant Kartikeya, sprung from Agni. At that time, the gods and the hosts of sages worshipped Uma and Shiva with great devotion, their minds exceedingly pleased. But then, O Rāma, the daughter of the mountain, her eyes red with anger, spoke in wrath to the gods: ‘Because I was restrained, though I had joined for the sake of a child, you shall not beget offspring in your own wives; from this day forth, may your wives be childless.’ Having thus cursed the gods, she also cursed the earth: ‘O earth, you shall not have a single form; you shall become one with many wives. And you, whose mind is so clouded, will not obtain the joy that comes from a son, for you do not desire my son and have angered me.’ Seeing all the gods afflicted, the Lord of the gods set out toward the region guarded by Varuṇa. There, on the northern slope of a peak born of Himavat, Shiva undertook austerities together with the goddess. O Rāma, thus has the story been related to you by the daughter of the mountain. Now, listen as I tell of the origin of Gaṅgā. While the great god was performing austerities, the gods, with Indra and Agni at their head, approached the Grandsire, desiring a commander for their army. Bowing down to the blessed Grandfather, they said, ‘O god, the commander of the army whom you once appointed is now engaged in severe austerities together with his wife. Whatever must now be done for the welfare of the worlds, arrange it, for you are our supreme refuge.’ Hearing their words, the Grandfather of all worlds comforted the immortals gently and replied: ‘What was spoken by the daughter of the mountain is not fitting for creatures with their own wives; her words are pure and true, without doubt. This celestial Gaṅgā, in whom Agni will beget a son, will bear the commander of the gods’ army, the destroyer of enemies. The eldest daughter of the king of mountains will honor that son; he will be greatly esteemed by Umā, without doubt.’ Hearing these words, O descendant of Raghu, all the gods, their purpose fulfilled, bowed down and worshipped the Grandfather with devotion.