As the sacrificial horse, central to King Sagara’s great ritual, was led away by mysterious hands, a cry arose among all beings: “The sons of Sagara, by losing the horse, have brought harm to all creatures.” Thus, turmoil spread across the earth. Now, listen to the fortieth sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. The gods, troubled and bewildered by the power of Death, approached the revered Grandfather Brahmā, seeking guidance. Brahmā replied, “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 constantly upholds the earth, and by the fire of his wrath, the sons of Sagara will be burned. The ancient divisions 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, filled with joy, departed as they had come. Meanwhile, a tremendous sound erupted from Sagara’s sons as they split open the earth—a noise like thunder shaking the world. Having broken through the earth and circled its expanse, all the Sagaras gathered before their father and said, “We have traversed the whole earth, and all 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? Please consider what is best.” Hearing their words, King Sagara, angered, spoke: “Dig again, may good fortune attend 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 of Sagara rushed toward the netherworld. As they dug deeper, they encountered a great elephant, as massive as a mountain, with deformed eyes, supporting the earth upon his head. This mighty elephant bore the earth, with all its mountains and forests. Whenever, O descendant of Kakutstha, the great elephant, weary, shakes his head for rest at the junction of the quarters, the earth quakes. Honoring this guardian of the quarter, the sons circled him and pressed onward, breaking through into the netherworld. They then broke through the eastern quarter, and again the southern, where they saw another great elephant. This was Mahāpadma, a being of immense soul, resembling a vast mountain, bearing the earth upon his head. Filled with wonder, they circumambulated him and broke open the western direction. There, too, they saw the mighty elephant Saumanasa, mountain-like, guarding the quarter. After honoring him and confirming his wellbeing, they began to dig toward the direction of the moon. In the north, O best of Raghu’s line, they saw the snow-white Bhadra, auspicious in form, bearing the earth. They greeted and circumambulated him, then broke open the earth’s surface. Proceeding to the renowned northeastern direction, the sons of Sagara, driven by anger, dug into the earth. There, they beheld Kapila, the eternal Vāsudeva, radiant and serene. Near this divine being, they saw the sacrificial horse wandering, and their hearts overflowed with incomparable joy. But recognizing Kapila as the destroyer of their sacrifice, their eyes burned with anger. Grasping spades, ploughs, trees, and stones, they rushed forward, shouting, “Stop! Stop! 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, O descendant of Raghu, was overcome by great wrath. He uttered a mighty roar, and by the immeasurable power of his soul, all the sons of Sagara, O Kakutstha, were reduced to ashes. Now, listen to the forty-first sarga of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa. Knowing that his sons had long been gone, Sagara spoke to his grandson, radiant with his own splendor: “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. Having saluted those worthy of respect, and having slain even those who cause obstacles, return successful, having completed my sacrifice.” Thus addressed by the great-souled Sagara, the radiant grandson swiftly took up his bow and sword and departed with light steps. He entered the subterranean path excavated by his ancestors, those great souls, urged on by the king, O best of men. Honored by gods, demons, yakshas, spirits, birds, and serpents, the mighty one beheld the elephant of the directions as he journeyed onward.