The sons of King Sagara, driven by pride in their kshatriya strength, seized the sage Kapila, whom they mistook for a wrongdoer. With harsh words and arrogant boasts, they struck him with their feet. But the eminent sage Kapila, filled with righteous anger, fixed his gaze upon them. In that instant, his wrath blazed forth, and the Sagara princes were consumed by flames, reduced to ashes on the spot. Unaware of this tragedy, King Sagara, consecrated and absorbed in his sacrificial rites, remained ignorant of his sons’ fate. It was the sage Nārada who came to the great-souled king, informing him of what had transpired with Kapila and the sacrificial horse. Nārada recounted the dreadful deeds of the rākṣasas and the destruction of the Sagara princes. Upon hearing these tidings, the king was overwhelmed with anxiety and confusion, unable to discern the right course of action. At that time, Sagara had another son, Asamañja, who, out of folly, would throw the children of his fellow citizens into the water. The people, grieved by this wickedness, assembled and reported Asamañja’s deeds to the king. Angered by his son’s abandonment of the kshatriya code and his cruelty, Sagara commanded his ministers, “Let this Asamañja be exiled; he is a slayer of children and unworthy of our lineage.” Obeying the king’s command, the ministers swiftly banished Asamañja, who departed to the forest. Thus, all the Sagara princes had perished in the netherworld by Brahmā’s curse, and now, with only one son left who had gone into exile, Sagara lamented, “What path remains for me?” Yet Asamañja had a son named Aṃśumān, and the king summoned this boy, entrusting him with a sacred task. Aṃśumān, devoted and pure of heart, approached Kapila and, through his prayers, won the sage’s favor. In return, Kapila allowed Aṃśumān to retrieve the sacrificial horse and bring it back to Sagara, enabling the king to complete his great sacrifice. Aṃśumān’s son was Dilīpa, radiant and righteous, and Dilīpa’s son was the wise and virtuous Bhagīratha. When Bhagīratha learned of the fate that had befallen his ancestors, sorrow filled his heart. Humbly, he approached the venerable Sagara and asked how he might redeem the Sagara princes and atone for their destruction. Sagara replied, “Kapila knows the way, my son.” Taking this counsel to heart, Bhagīratha journeyed to the netherworld, where he bowed before Kapila and explained all that had come to pass. Kapila, after long meditation and worship through severe austerity, pleased Lord Śaṅkara (Śiva). With the water from his matted locks, Śiva could purify the ancestors of Bhagīratha, O best of kings. Kapila, saluted with reverence, spoke again: “Thus you and your fathers will be fulfilled; I shall do what is needed.” Bhagīratha then asked, “Where should I go, O best of sages? Tell me what ought to be done.” Kapila replied, “Go to Mount Kailāsa, O best of men. Praise the great Lord, perform austerities as you are able, and you will obtain your desire.” Obedient and full of resolve, Bhagīratha bowed to the sage and journeyed to Mount Kailāsa. Though still a child in years and understanding, he purified himself and undertook firm austerities, praying to the Lord who bears the crescent moon. “O Lord, I am but a child and know nothing; be pleased with me. Those who support me, whether by words, thoughts, or deeds, I bow for their sake to Soma, honored by the gods. May Śiva, who wears the crescent moon, grant their wishes as well as mine.” As Bhagīratha thus prayed, Śiva appeared before him and, offering a boon, spoke graciously, “Whatever cannot be accomplished even by the hosts of gods, that I shall surely grant you. Speak without fear, O wise Bhagīratha.” Bhagīratha bowed and joyfully addressed Śaṅkara, “O Lord of gods, grant me the supreme river that dwells in your matted hair, so that my ancestors may be purified and all will be accomplished.” Maheśa smiled and replied, “This river is given to you, my son. Now praise her again, O steadfast one.” Taking the god’s words to heart, Bhagīratha performed great austerities and, with a devoted and concentrated mind, composed a hymn to Gaṅgā. Winning her favor, he, though still a child, received Gaṅgā from Maheśvara and led her to the netherworld. He established Gaṅgā as prescribed and reported his actions to the great-souled sage Kapila. Then, having circumambulated Kapila with joined palms, he spoke: “O goddess, my ancestors have perished by the curse of the great sage Kapila. Therefore, Mother, you ought to purify them.” The divine river, benefactress of all, replied, “So be it,” agreeing for the welfare of the worlds and the purification of the ancestors. For the special purpose of replenishing the ocean once drunk by Agastya, merely remembering the divine river destroys all sins. Bhagīratha caused the river to flow, especially to reach the ashes of the princes and the parts of the ocean that lay in the netherworld. After purifying those who had been burned, he made a channel; then, having flooded Mount Meru, the child king spoke, “You must accomplish this upon the field of action.” Thus, Gaṅgā went to the Himalayas and, from that sacred mountain, entered the land of Bharata, fulfilling the great purpose for which she had descended.