Thus, O noble prince, Sagara’s sons—valiant and resolute—dug relentlessly in every direction, traversing the entire breadth of Jambudvipa, that vast land teeming with mountains. Their search was unyielding, and the earth trembled beneath their efforts. Meanwhile, the disturbance they caused spread fear among all beings. The gods, along with the Gandharvas, Asuras, and Nagas, found their minds deeply troubled. In their distress, they approached the Grandfather of all, Brahma. With worried faces and hearts gripped by fear, they sought his protection and favor, and spoke to him with urgency: “O Lord, the sons of Sagara are digging up the entire earth, and in their path, many great beings who dwell in the waters are being slain. The sacrificial horse, the cause of the great rite, is being led away by some unknown force, and in their search, all creatures are suffering at the hands of Sagara’s sons.” Hearing their plea, the revered Grandfather Brahma responded with gentle gravity to the assembly of gods, who were shaken and bewildered by the power of Death. He said: “This earth belongs to the wise Vāsudeva, the consort of Mādhava. That blessed Lord alone is the true master. Assuming the form of Kapila, he upholds the earth at all times. By the fire of his wrath, the sons of Sagara will be consumed. The ancient division of the earth will be revealed, and the destruction of Sagara’s sons, foreseen by those with far vision, will come to pass.” Hearing these words, the thirty-three foremost gods were filled with joy and relief, and they returned to their realms as they had come. Meanwhile, the sons of Sagara pressed on, their digging echoing across the earth with a thunderous sound. Having circled the world and broken through its surface, they returned to their father and reported: “We have traversed the whole earth, and all the powerful beings—gods, demons, rākṣasas, piśācas, serpents, and nagas—have been slain. Yet, we have not found your horse, nor the one who took it. What should we do next? Please guide us.” Hearing this, King Sagara, his anger rising, spoke: “Dig again, may good come to you. Break through the earth’s surface. When you find the horse-thief, return, your purpose accomplished.” With this command from their great-souled father, the sixty thousand sons of Sagara plunged downward, digging toward the netherworld. As they burrowed deeper, they encountered a colossal elephant, mountain-like and with deformed eyes, who supported the earth upon his massive head. This mighty being bore the weight of the earth, with all its mountains and forests, and whenever he shook his head to relieve his weariness at the junctions of the quarters, the earth itself would quake. Honoring the great elephant, the guardian of that quarter, the sons of Sagara circled him reverently and pressed onward, breaking through into the netherworld. In the eastern quarter, then the southern, they again encountered such mighty elephants. In the south, they beheld Mahāpadma, a being of immense soul, mountain-like in form, bearing the earth upon his head. Filled with wonder, they honored him as well. Continuing, they broke open the western direction and saw the great elephant Saumanasa, also resembling a vast mountain. Circumambulating him, they questioned him and found him unharmed, then began to dig toward the direction of the moon. In the north, O scion of Raghu, they saw the snow-white Bhadra, auspicious and mighty, supporting the earth. Greeting and honoring him, they continued their relentless search, breaking open the surface of the earth. At last, in the renowned northeastern direction, all the sons of Sagara, burning with anger, dug deeper into the earth. There, they beheld Kapila, the eternal Vāsudeva, radiant and immovable. Near him, they saw the sacrificial horse wandering freely, and joy beyond compare filled their hearts. But their joy quickly turned to rage. Knowing Kapila to be the destroyer of their sacrifice, their eyes blazed with anger. Seizing spades, ploughs, and even uprooted trees and stones, they rushed at him, shouting, “Stop, stop! For you have stolen our sacrificial horse! You are wicked-minded! Know us to be the sons of Sagara, who have now arrived!” Hearing their words, Kapila, the great and immeasurable one, was overcome by wrath. He uttered a mighty roar, and in that instant, by the fire of his anger, all sixty thousand sons of Sagara were reduced to ashes. Time passed. When Sagara realized his sons had been gone for a long while, he called upon his grandson, radiant with his own splendor, and spoke: “You are brave, accomplished in knowledge, and equal in brilliance to your ancestors. Seek the path of your fathers, by which the horse was led away. Within the earth dwell powerful and mighty beings. For protection against them, take up your sword and bow.” Thus, the search and its consequences unfolded, as told in the glorious Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki.