Ram's Encounter with Guha and Ganga's Blessing

Ram, Lakshman, and Seeta reached the bank of the Ganga river. They needed a boat to cross it, so they approached a boatman named Guha, who initially refused to let them board his boat.

"O Lord," said Guha to Ram, "I've heard that the dust on your feet once turned a rock into the beautiful Ahilya. My boat is softer than a rock. If this dust turns my boat into a woman, I won't be able to earn a living anymore. How will I then support my mother and wife? Let me first wash the dust off your feet with water from this holy river. Then you may board my boat."

Ram agreed to Guha's request and allowed him to wash his feet with water from the Ganga. The gods in heaven were envious of Guha for being able to wash Lord Ram's feet. Afterward, Guha ferried Ram and his companions across the Ganga. Ram tried to pay Guha for his services by offering him his ring, but Guha refused to accept it.

"Today, all my wishes have come true," Guha told Ram. "I had the good fortune of serving you; I require no other payment."

The three of them bathed in the Ganga, after which Ram made a Shivling out of mud and prayed to Lord Shiv.

"O Mother, I pray that after my stay in the forest with my husband and his younger brother, I will get another opportunity to bathe in your water," Seeta prayed to the goddess Ganga with a pure, divine, and true mind.

Goddess Ganga appeared before Seeta. "Oh, respected Seeta," said Ganga. "The three of you will return to Ayodhya safely fourteen years from now. All your wishes will come true. The entire human race will worship you."

Seeta felt elated to receive Ganga's blessings. After bowing to Ganga, Ram, Lakshman, and Seeta continued their journey.