In ancient times, the great sage Kapila lay resting in the netherworld. He had accomplished a remarkable task for the gods, and, exhausted and unable to sleep after his efforts, Kapila beseeched the gods for a place where he might finally rest. The gods, honoring his request, granted him the netherworld as his resting place. Kapila, wanting peace, asked the gods to ensure that anyone who foolishly disturbed his slumber would be instantly reduced to ashes. Settling into his repose, Kapila declared, “If I am not asleep, it is only as if in a dream,” and thus, by the will of the gods, he lay in the netherworld. The demons, aware of Kapila’s formidable power, devised a cunning plan to destroy all the Oceans. Fearing direct conflict, they hurried to the netherworld and found the sage, Kapila, lying there. With haste, they tied the sacrificial horse at his head and retreated, silently watching to see what would unfold. Soon, all the Oceans entered the netherworld and saw the horse bound and a man lying beside it. Mistaking Kapila for the thief and the destroyer of the sacrifice, they cried, “Let us slay this great sinner and take the horse back to the king!” Some argued that they should simply retrieve the bound animal, while others, proud of their royal heritage, asserted their authority. In their arrogance, they seized Kapila, uttered harsh words, and even struck the sage with their feet, boasting of their kshatriya strength. Angered beyond measure, the eminent sage Kapila fixed his gaze upon them, and, in a moment of wrath, reduced them all to ashes. Thus, all the sons of Sagara perished in flames within the netherworld, though King Sagara, being consecrated for the sacrifice, was unaware of this calamity. It was Nārada who informed the noble Sagara of Kapila’s state and the fate of the horse. He recounted the monstrous deeds of the rākṣasas and the destruction of Sagara’s sons, leaving the king overwhelmed with anxiety and uncertainty about what to do. Sagara had another son, Asamañja, who, out of folly, would throw the children of the citizens into the water. When the citizens reported Asamañja’s wicked acts, the king became furious and declared, “Let this Asamañja be exiled; he has forsaken the kshatriya code and is a slayer of children.” The ministers, obeying the king’s command, swiftly banished Asamañja, who departed for the forest. With all the Sagaras destroyed by Brahmā’s curse in the netherworld, and only one son left in the forest, Sagara lamented, “What path remains for me?” Yet Asamañja had a son named Aṃśumān, and Sagara called the boy and entrusted him with the task of retrieving the sacrificial horse. Aṃśumān, through his devotion, propitiated Kapila and recovered the horse, bringing it back to Sagara so the sacrifice could be completed. Aṃśumān’s son was the radiant and righteous Dilīpa, and Dilīpa’s wise son was Bhagīratha. When Bhagīratha learned of the fate of his ancestors, he was filled with sorrow and humbly approached King Sagara, asking how atonement could be made for all the Sagaras. The king replied, “Kapila knows, my son.” Hearing this, Bhagīratha journeyed to the netherworld, bowed to Kapila, and explained everything. The sage Kapila, after long meditation and worship through austerity, pleased Śaṅkara. With the water from his matted locks, Kapila purified the ancestors. Bhagīratha, having saluted Kapila, asked, “Where should I go, O best of sages? Tell me what ought to be done.” Kapila instructed him, “Go to Mount Kailāsa, praise the great Lord, perform austerity as you are able, and you will obtain your desire.” Bhagīratha, hearing these words, bowed to the sage and traveled to Mount Kailāsa. Though still a child, he purified himself and resolved firmly to undertake austerity. Bhagīratha prayed, “I am a child, with a child’s understanding, O Lord who bears the crescent moon. I know nothing; please be pleased, O Lord. Those devoted to my welfare help me with words, thoughts, or deeds. For their benefit, O Lord of beings, I bow to Soma, honored by the gods. May Śiva grant the wishes of those who brought me forth and raised me, who share my lineage and conduct. I always bow to him who wears the crescent moon.” As Bhagīratha spoke, Śiva appeared before him and graciously offered a boon of his choice. “Whatever cannot be accomplished by the hosts of gods, that I shall surely grant you. Speak without fear, O Bhagīratha, wise one.” Bhagīratha bowed joyfully and asked, “O Lord of gods, give me that supreme river, abiding in your matted hair, for the purification of my ancestors. Then all will be accomplished.” Maheśa, smiling, replied, “This river has been given to you by me, O son. Now praise her again, O steadfast one.