Asamañja, a prince of the royal line, had a son named Aṃśumān. The wise King Sagara, faced with a great task, summoned young Aṃśumān and entrusted him with a mission of importance. Showing resolve beyond his years, Aṃśumān propitiated the sage Kapila and, by his devotion, succeeded in retrieving the sacred horse. He returned it to Sagara, thereby completing the king’s sacrifice. Aṃśumān’s son was Dilīpa, radiant and righteous, and Dilīpa’s own son was Bhagīratha, known for his wisdom. When Bhagīratha heard of the tragic fate that had befallen his ancestors, he was filled with sorrow. Humbly, he approached Sagara, the tiger among kings, and asked how atonement might be made for all the Sagaras who had met their end. Sagara replied, “Kapila knows, my son.” Taking these words to heart, Bhagīratha went to the netherworld, bowed respectfully to Kapila, and reported everything to him. The sage Kapila, after prolonged meditation and worship through austerity, pleased Śaṅkara—Lord Shiva. Using the water from his matted locks, Kapila purified the ancestors, O best of kings. Having saluted the sage, Bhagīratha heard him say, “Thus you and your fathers will be fulfilled; so I shall do.” Bhagīratha then respectfully asked, “Where should I go, O best of sages? Tell me also what ought to be done.” Kapila replied, “Go to Mount Kailāsa, O best of men. Praise the great Lord, perform austerity as you are able, and then you will obtain your desire.” Hearing these instructions, Bhagīratha bowed to the sage and journeyed to Mount Kailāsa. There, he purified himself and, though still a child engaged in childish acts, firmly resolved to undertake austerity. Bhagīratha spoke: “I am a child, with a child’s understanding, O Lord who bears the crescent moon. I know nothing at all; therefore, be pleased, O Lord. Those who are devoted to my welfare sometimes help me with words, thoughts, or deeds. For their benefit, O Lord of beings, I bow to Soma, honored by the gods. By whom I was brought forth and raised, who are of the same lineage and conduct as I am—may Śiva grant their wishes. I always bow to him who wears the crescent moon.” As Bhagīratha spoke these words, Śiva appeared before him and, granting him a boon of his choice, addressed him: “Whatever cannot be accomplished by the hosts of gods, that I shall surely grant you. Speak without fear, O Bhagīratha, wise one.” Bhagīratha, bowing to the Lord, joyfully 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.” Taking these words to heart, Bhagīratha performed great austerity, and with a devoted, concentrated mind, composed a hymn to Gaṅgā. Having obtained her favor, though still a child, he took Gaṅgā—received from Maheśvara—and went to the netherworld. He carefully established Gaṅgā as prescribed and reported it to the great-souled sage Kapila. Then, having circumambulated with joined palms, he spoke: “O goddess, my ancestors, by the curse of the great sage Kapila, have met their end. Therefore, Mother, you ought to purify them.” The divine river, benefactress of all, agreed, saying, “So be it,” for the welfare of the worlds and the purification of the ancestors. For the special purpose of filling the ocean drunk by Agastya, merely remembering the divine river destroys sins. Bhagīratha caused the river to flow, especially for the ashes of the princes and the parts of the ocean that lay in the netherworld. After purifying those who had been burned, Bhagīratha made a channel; then, having flooded Mount Meru, the child king spoke, “You must accomplish this on the field of action.” Thus, Gaṅgā went to the Himalayas, and from the sacred mountain entered the land of Bharata. From its midst, the sacred river proceeded toward the eastern ocean. Thus, O great sage, this is the account of the royal Gaṅgā told to you. She is the purifier, Maheshvari, Vaishnavi, and also Brahmi; Bhagirathi, the divine river, dwells among the peaks of the Himalayas. The water in Shiva’s matted hair thus became twofold: south of the Vindhya she is called Gautami Gaṅgā, and north of the Vindhya she is known as Bhagirathi. At this point, the listener’s mind was not satisfied, eager to learn more about the fruits of the holy places. He requested, “Step by step, tell me first about the Gaṅgā brought by the Brahmins, and separately, the fruits and merits of the holy places, along with their histories, in order.” The speaker replied, “I am unable to speak of the distinct nature, fruits, and greatness of all the holy places, nor are you able to listen to them all. Still, I will tell you something; listen carefully, O Narada, to the holy places and the statements of scripture that have been spoken. I will briefly tell you of those, after bowing to the Three-eyed One, where the blessed Lord was manifest, O sage, as Tryambaka. That holy place named Tryambaka grants enjoyment and liberation; another holy place, Varaha, is renowned in the three worlds. I will describe its form and how it was named after Vishnu; once, having defeated the gods, a demon seized the sacrifice.” Thus, the sacred story of the descent of Gaṅgā and the greatness of the holy places was revealed, with reverence for the divine and the ancestors, and the promise of further tales of sanctity and merit.