Hearing the sage’s guidance, Bhagīratha bowed respectfully and journeyed to the sacred heights of Mount Kailāsa. Though still a child, given to childish ways, he cleansed himself and, with unshakable resolve, undertook a great austerity. Standing before the Lord, he spoke with humility: “O Lord who wears the crescent moon, I am but a child, with a child’s understanding. I know nothing; please, be gracious to me.” He continued, “Those devoted to my welfare help me through their words, thoughts, and deeds. For their benefit, O Lord of beings, I bow to Soma, honored by the gods. Those who brought me forth and raised me, who share my lineage and conduct—may Śiva grant their wishes. I always bow to him who bears the crescent moon.” As Bhagīratha thus prayed, Śiva himself appeared before him. With compassion, the great Lord offered him any boon he wished, saying, “Whatever is impossible for the hosts of gods, I shall grant you. Speak without fear, O wise Bhagīratha.” Overjoyed, Bhagīratha bowed and addressed Śaṅkara: “O Lord of gods, grant me the supreme river, the one abiding in your matted hair, for the purification of my ancestors. Then, all will be fulfilled.” Maheśa smiled gently and replied, “O son, this river is given to you. Now, praise her again with devotion.” Taking Śiva’s words to heart, Bhagīratha performed intense austerities, his mind focused and full of devotion. He composed a hymn in praise of Gaṅgā. Pleased by his devotion, Gaṅgā favored him. Though still a child, Bhagīratha, with a maturity beyond his years, received Gaṅgā from Maheśvara and led her to the netherworld. He carefully established Gaṅgā as prescribed, then went to the great sage Kapila and reported all that had been done. Circumambulating the sage with joined palms, Bhagīratha spoke: “O goddess, my ancestors perished by the curse of the sage Kapila. Therefore, Mother, you ought to purify them.” The divine river Gaṅgā replied, “So be it.” For the welfare of the worlds and the purification of the ancestors, she agreed to descend. She also undertook to fill the ocean that had been drunk by Agastya. Indeed, merely remembering the divine river destroys all sins. Bhagīratha then caused the river to flow, especially to purify the ashes of the princes and to fill the ocean’s parts lying in the netherworld. After purifying those who had been burned, he made a channel for the river. When Gaṅgā flooded Mount Meru, the child king spoke, “You must accomplish this on the field of action.” Thus, she flowed to the Himalayas and from that sacred mountain entered the land of Bharata. From the heart of the land, the holy river proceeded toward the eastern ocean. Thus, O sage, is the account of the royal Gaṅgā. She is the purifier, Maheshvari, Vaishnavi, and also Brahmi. Bhagirathi, the divine river, dwells among the Himalayan peaks. The water from Śiva’s matted locks 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 exclaimed, “My mind is never satisfied by these wondrous stories. I long to know the fruits of the holy places. Step by step, tell me first about the Gaṅgā brought by the Brahmins, and then the fruits and merits of the holy places, along with their histories, in order.” The sage replied, “It is not possible to speak of the distinct nature, fruits, and greatness of all holy places, nor could you listen to them all. Still, I will tell you something. Listen carefully, O Nārada, to the holy places and the teachings of the scriptures. “First, after bowing to the Three-eyed One, I will briefly tell you of those places where the blessed Lord manifested as Tryambaka. That holy place, Tryambaka, grants both enjoyment and liberation. Another sacred place, Varāha, is renowned in all three worlds. “I will describe how it came to be named after Viṣṇu. Once, a demon named Sindhusena, having defeated the gods, seized the sacrificial rite and carried it to the netherworld. With the sacrifice lost, the earth became devoid of sacred rites; there was neither this world nor the next. The gods, anxious, followed him into the netherworld. “Led by Indra, they tried but could not defeat the demon. They went to Viṣṇu, the ancient one, and reported all that had happened. The demon’s act had destroyed the sacrifice completely. Then the blessed Lord, assuming the form of Varāha, spoke: ‘Armed with conch, discus, and mace, I will go to the netherworld, slay the foremost of the Rākṣasas, and bring back the sacred sacrifice. Let all the gods return to heaven and be at peace. By the same path that Gaṅgā reached the depths, I, too, shall go.’ “Thus, the Lord swiftly pierced the earth and entered the netherworld in the form of the Boar. There, among the dwellers of the lower regions, he slew the Rākṣasas and Dānavas, and, holding the great sacrifice in his mouth, the Lord—the enjoyer of the sacrifice—took up the sacred rite. “By the very path by which Viṣṇu had descended, he emerged again, carrying the great sacrifice in his mouth. On Brahmagiri mountain, the gods awaited Hari’s return. From there, having emerged, he approached the very source of the Gaṅgā.” Thus is the sacred tale of the descent of Gaṅgā and the deeds of the gods, a story of devotion, divine intervention, and the sanctification of the world.