In the midst of his grand sacrifice, King Sagara listened intently to the words of his assembled priests, who urged him, “Let it be done so, O King, so that the sacrifice is not left incomplete.” Hearing this, the king turned to his sixty thousand sons and addressed them with resolve: “O best among men, I see no other way for you, my sons, but to pursue the demons who have stolen the sacrificial horse. I am engaged in this great rite, purified by mantras and attended by noble priests. Therefore, go forth, search everywhere, and may good fortune be yours.” He instructed them further, “Follow the entire earth, encircled by the ocean. Each of you, my sons, cover a stretch of one yojana in breadth. Dig the earth wherever the horse’s tracks are visible, seeking the thief who took the horse, as I 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 and mighty, the royal princes set out across the earth, compelled by their father’s command. They traversed the whole world, but the sacrificial horse eluded them. Each prince covered a yojana in breadth, and when their search proved fruitless, they broke open the ground with arms as strong as thunderbolts. Their spears flashed like lightning, and their terrible ploughs tore the earth, which roared in protest. The sound was like that of elephants, demons, and formidable rakshasas being slain. Relentlessly, the princes broke the earth for sixty thousand yojanas, reaching the excellent region of Rasatala. Digging everywhere, they traversed the entire Jambudvipa, crowded with mountains. The disturbance caused great agitation among the gods, Gandharvas, Asuras, and Nagas, who, troubled and fearful, approached the Grandfather, Brahma. With anxious faces, they sought his favor and 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.” Now, listen to the fortieth sarga in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda. Hearing the words of the gods, the revered Grandfather Brahma replied to them, who were greatly troubled and deluded by the power of Death: “This entire earth belongs to the wise Vasudeva; she is the consort of Madhava, 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 Brahma’s words, the thirty-three best of the gods, filled with great joy, departed 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 approached their father and said, “We have traversed the whole earth, and all the powerful beings—gods, demons, rakshasas, pishachas, serpents, and nagas—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, the sixty thousand sons rushed toward the netherworld. As they dug deeper, they encountered a great elephant, mountain-like and with deformed eyes, supporting the earth. This mighty elephant bore the entire earth, with its mountains and forests, upon his head. Whenever that great elephant, weary, shook his head for rest at the junction of the quarters, the earth quaked. Honoring this guardian of the quarter, the princes circled him and, breaking through, proceeded into the netherworld. Then, breaking through the eastern quarter, they again broke through the southern; and in the southern direction too, they saw a great elephant—Mahapadma, a being of immense soul, resembling a vast mountain, bearing the earth upon his head. Filled with utmost wonder, they circumambulated this great soul and broke open the western direction. In the west, they saw another mighty elephant, Saumanasa, resembling a massive mountain. They circumambulated him, questioned him, found him unharmed, and then began to dig towards the direction of the moon. In the north, they saw the snow-white Bhadra, auspicious in form, bearing the earth. Having greeted and circumambulated him as well, the sixty thousand sons broke open the surface of the earth, continuing their relentless quest.