Rāma, eager to know the deeds of his ancestor, respectfully addressed Viśvāmitra, saying, “O Brāhmaṇa, may good befall you! I wish to hear in detail how my forefather completed his great sacrifice.” Hearing Rāma’s words, Viśvāmitra, his curiosity awakened and his face bright with delight, replied warmly, “Listen, O Rāma, to the story of the illustrious Sagara. His father-in-law was the renowned Himavat, lord of the mountains. Sagara, the great-souled king, came to Mount Vindhya, where he and Himavat beheld each other. Between these mighty mountains, O best of men, Sagara’s grand sacrifice took place—a region most sacred for such rites. There, O Kākutstha, the mighty archer Aṃśumān, Sagara’s grandson, was charged with tending the sacrificial horse, faithfully following Sagara’s command. But as the sacrifice was underway, Indra, king of the gods, assumed the form of a demoness and stealthily stole the horse belonging to the sacrificer. As the noble horse was carried away, the assembled priests alerted Sagara, saying, “O descendant of Kakutstha, the sacrificial horse is being swiftly led away during the ceremony!” They urged, “Slay the thief and bring back the horse, or else a flaw will mar the sacrifice, bringing misfortune to us all. Let this be done, O King, so the sacrifice is not left incomplete.” Hearing these words in the midst of the assembly, Sagara turned to his sixty thousand sons and spoke, “O best among men, I see no other way but for you, my sons, to pursue the demons. I am engaged in this great sacrifice, purified by sacred mantras and attended by noble priests. Therefore, go forth and search everywhere—may good fortune attend you. Circle the entire earth, which is surrounded by the ocean. Each of you should cover a stretch of one yojana in breadth. Dig into the earth wherever you see the horse’s tracks, and by my command, seek out the thief who took the horse. I, consecrated and accompanied by my grandsons and the priests, will remain here until the horse is found. May success be yours!” Obedient and resolute, all those royal princes, mighty and joyful, set out across the earth, compelled by their father’s command. They traversed the whole earth, but finding no trace of the horse, these powerful princes, each covering a yojana in breadth, broke open the ground with their arms, hard as thunderbolts. With spears bright as lightning and terrible ploughs, they tore into the earth, which roared under their assault. The tumult they raised echoed like the cries of elephants, demons, and fierce rākṣasas being slain. For sixty thousand yojanas they broke the earth, reaching the deep and excellent region of Rasātala. Thus, O Rāma, the princes dug everywhere, traversing the entire Jambudvīpa, crowded with mountains. Witnessing this devastation, all the gods, Gandharvas, Asuras, and Nāgas, their minds agitated, approached the Grandfather, Brahmā. With troubled faces, they sought his favor and, greatly frightened, spoke: “O Lord, the whole earth is being dug up by Sagara’s sons, and many great beings dwelling in the waters are being slain. The sacrificial horse, cause of all this, has been led away by someone, and all creatures are suffering because of Sagara’s sons.” O Rāma, listen now to the next part of this tale, as told in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Hearing the gods’ plea, the revered Grandfather Brahmā replied to them, who were much troubled and deluded by the power of Death. “This entire earth belongs to the wise Vāsudeva; she is the consort of Mādhava, and that blessed Lord alone is her master. Assuming the form of Kapila, he upholds the earth. By the fire of his wrath, the sons of Sagara will be burned. The ancient division of the earth will be revealed, and the destruction of Sagara’s sons, foreseen by those of far vision, will come to pass.” Hearing Brahmā’s words, the thirty-three best of the gods, filled with joy, returned as they had come. Meanwhile, a great sound arose from Sagara’s sons as they split the earth—a noise like thunder. Having broken through the whole earth and circled it, all the Sagaras together returned to their father and said, “We have traversed the entire earth, and all the powerful beings—gods, demons, rākṣasas, piśācas, serpents, and nāgas—have been slain. Yet we do not see your horse, nor the one who took it. What should we do now? Please consider what is best.” Hearing his sons’ words, the noble Sagara spoke with anger, “Dig again, may good come to you! Break through the earth’s surface. When you find the thief, return, your purpose fulfilled.” Receiving their great-souled father’s command, the sixty thousand sons of Sagara rushed toward the netherworld. As they dug deeper, they beheld a wondrous sight: a great elephant, massive as a mountain, with deformed eyes, supporting the very earth itself. That mighty elephant, with its strange eyes, bore the entire earth—mountains, forests, and all—upon its head.