Shiva, reflecting upon past events, remembered how he had once been satisfied by the same supplicant for the sake of the river. Aware of this, he mastered his anger and chose instead to grant the boon requested. Recalling the words spoken earlier by Brahma, Shiva took hold of the celestial river and, by the force of his own power, released her from her restraint. Moved by the intense austerities performed by Bhagiratha, Shiva allowed the sacred Ganga to descend, dividing her mighty flow into seven streams for his sake. Of these, three streams surged eastward and three westward, and thus the river, famed for her threefold path, became sevenfold. The eastern streams were known as Nalinī, Hlādinī, and Pāvanī, while Sītā, Cakṣu, and Sindhu streamed toward the west. The seventh stream, Anugā, faithfully followed Bhagiratha southward, and so the Bhāgīrathī made her way into the southern ocean. These seven rivers flooded the land called Himāhvaya, their auspicious waters arising from the holy lake Bindusaras. As they flowed, they inundated lands inhabited largely by foreign peoples—Kukuras, Raudhras, Barbaras, Yavanas, and Khasas—along with their mountains. The rivers also swept through the territories of the Pulikas, Kulatthas, Aṅgalokyas, and others, finally passing through the Himalayas and entering the southern ocean. In their course, the rivers touched the lands of the Vīramarus, Kālikas, Śūlikas, Tukaras, Barbaras, Pahlavas, Pāradas, and Śakas. The Cakṣus river, after nourishing these peoples, too reached the ocean, as did the waters that passed through the lands of the Daradas, Urjagus, Gāndhāras, Aurasas, and Kuhus. The flood extended to the Śivapauras, Indramarus, Vasatīs, Saindhavas, Urvasas, Barbas, Kupathas, Bhīmas, and Romakas. The river Sindhu nourished the Śunāmukhas, Urdhamarus, and their kin, as well as Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Vidyādharas, and Nāgas. The waters also reached the Kalāpagāmakas, Kimpuruṣas, men, Kirātas, Pulindas, Kurus, and the Bhāratas. The Pāñcālas, Kauśikas, Matsyas, Māgadhas, Aṅgas, Brahmottaras, Vaṅgas, and Tāmraliṭṭas too were blessed by the nourishing touch of the auspicious Ganga. At last, her flow was checked by the Vindhya mountains, and she entered the southern ocean. Turning eastward, the blessed river flooded the surrounding lands, reaching even the Nishadas. Her waters swept over fishermen, Rishikas, Nalimukhas, Kekaras, the Ekarna people, and the Kiratas. The flood covered the Kalanjaras, Vikarnas, Kushikas, and those dwelling in both heavenly and earthly realms, encircling the ocean and touching every shore. The river Nalinī, too, journeyed eastward, inundating impassable paths and even the lakes of Indradyumna. She swept through harsh regions, the paths of Vetra and Shanku, and, passing Ujjāna and the Kamarus, reached the lands covered with Kutha grass. Near the island of Indra, Nalinī entered the salt ocean. The river Pāvanī then swiftly made her way eastward, flooding the Tomaras and the swan-traveled paths, breaking through mountains to reach Karna-prāvaraṇa and the Ashvamukhas. After watering Mount Meru and the lands of the Vidyādharas, Pāvanī entered a great lake in the region of Shaimi. Hundreds and thousands of other rivers and streams joined these sacred rivers, from which Indra himself draws the rain for the world. On the bank of the Vaṃśaukasā river lies the forest of Surabhi, home to the wise and self-controlled Hiraṇyaśṛṅga, son of Kubera. This mighty sage, having renounced sacrifice, is attended there by Agastya and other learned Brahmarakshasas. These four, attendants of Kubera, dwell there together, and their mutual association doubles their merit, desire, and wealth. Upon the summit of Hemakūṭa, there is a lake known as the abode of serpents. From this place flows the Sarasvatī, also called Jyotiṣmatī, which stretches between the eastern and western oceans. Upon the lofty mountain Niṣadha lies the lake Viṣṇupada, from which the Gandharvas’ favorite river arises. From the side of Meru springs the great lake Candraprabha, and from it flows the sacred Jambū river, in whose sands the gold called Jāmbūnada is found. The blue, pure lake Payoda, filled with lotuses, gives rise to two rivers—Puṇḍarīka and Payoda. This lake is also known as Uttaramānasa, from which the rivers Mṛgyā and Mṛgakāntā emerge. The lakes in the land of the Kurus are famed, abundant with lotuses and fish; they are called Jayā, twelve in number and vast as oceans. From these lakes arise the rivers Śāntī and Madhvī. In the eight regions beginning with Kimpuruṣa, the gods do not send rain; instead, springs and waters naturally emerge, and noble rivers flow—Balāhaka, Ṛṣabha, Cakra, and Maināka among them. In every direction, mountains such as Candrakānta, Droṇa, and the great Sumahān stand firm, their roots immersed in the salty ocean. In the north, mountains like Cakra, Badhiraka, and Nārada rise up and plunge into the great ocean. To the west, the ranges of Jīmūta, Drāvaṇa, Maināka, and Candraparvata stretch out, each ultimately reaching the vast expanse of the sea.