In a region renowned for its sacrificial rites, the mighty archer Aṃśumān, following the will of King Sagara, tended the sacrificial horse as part of the grand ceremony. But during this sacred occasion, Indra, king of the gods, disguised himself as a demoness and stole the horse belonging to the sacrificer. As the noble horse was spirited away, the assembly of priests quickly alerted the sacrificer, saying, “This sacrificial horse is being swiftly led away during the ceremony.” They urged him, “O descendant of Kakutstha, slay the thief and bring back the horse; otherwise, a flaw will arise in the sacrifice, which will bring misfortune to us all.” The priests insisted, “Let it be done so, O King, so that the sacrifice is not left incomplete.” Hearing these words, King Sagara addressed his sixty thousand sons: “O best among men, I see no other way for you but to pursue the demons. I am engaged in this great sacrifice, purified by mantras and attended by noble priests. Therefore, go forth, my sons, search everywhere. May good fortune be yours.” He instructed them, “Follow the entire earth, encircled by the ocean, and each of you cover a stretch of one yojana in breadth. Dig the earth as far as the horse’s tracks are visible, seeking the thief who took the horse, by my command. I, consecrated and accompanied by my grandsons and the group of priests, will remain here until the horse is found. May good fortune be yours.” Obedient to their father’s command, the royal princes, mighty and joyful, set out across the earth. They traversed the whole world, each covering a yojana in breadth, but could not find the horse. Determined, they broke open the ground with arms as hard as thunderbolts, piercing the earth with spears like lightning and terrible ploughs. The ground roared with a sound like elephants, demons, and formidable rakshasas being slain. They broke the earth for sixty thousand yojanas, reaching the excellent region of Rasatala. Digging everywhere, the princes traversed the entire Jambudvipa, crowded with mountains. Their relentless actions disturbed the gods, Gandharvas, Asuras, and Nagas, who, their minds agitated, approached the Grandfather Brahma. With troubled faces, they sought his favor and, greatly frightened, spoke, “O Lord, the entire earth is being dug up by Sagara’s sons, and many great beings who dwell in the waters are being slain. This horse, which is the cause of the sacrifice, is being led away by someone; thus, all creatures are being harmed by Sagara’s sons.” Listen now to the fortieth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. Hearing the words of the gods, the revered Grandfather Brahma replied to them, who were greatly troubled and deluded by the power of Death. He explained, “This entire earth belongs to the wise Vāsudeva; she is the consort of Mādhava, and that blessed Lord alone is the master. Assuming the form of Kapila, he constantly upholds the earth; by the fire of his wrath, the sons of Sagara will be burned. The ancient division of the earth will be seen, and the destruction of Sagara’s sons, foreseen by those of far vision.” Upon hearing these words, the thirty-three best of the gods, filled with great joy, returned as they had come. Meanwhile, a great sound arose from Sagara’s sons as the earth was being split—a noise like thunder. Having broken through the whole earth and circled it, all the Sagaras together spoke to their father, “We have traversed the whole earth, and all the powerful beings—gods, demons, rākṣasas, piśācas, serpents, and nāgas—have been slain. But we do not see your horse, nor the one who took it; what should we do? Please consider what is best.” Hearing these words, King Sagara spoke with anger, “Dig again, may good come to you; break through the earth’s surface. When you find the horse-thief, return, your purpose accomplished.” Receiving their father’s command, Sagara’s sixty thousand sons rushed toward the netherworld. As they dug, they encountered a great elephant, mountain-like, with deformed eyes, supporting the earth. This mighty elephant bore the entire earth, with its mountains and forests, upon his head. Whenever, O descendant of Kakutstha, that great elephant, weary, shakes his head for rest at the junction of the quarters, then the earth quakes. Honoring this guardian of the quarter, the sons of Sagara circled him and, breaking through, went into the netherworld. In the eastern quarter, they broke through and then again in the southern. There, too, they saw another great elephant—Mahāpadma, a being of immense soul, resembling a vast mountain, bearing the earth upon his head. Filled with utmost wonder, they continued their search, ever deeper into the mysteries of the earth.