As the sons of King Sagara dug into the earth in search of their father’s stolen sacrificial horse, a tremendous sound arose from their efforts—a noise like thunder as the very ground was split open. Together, these mighty sons broke through the entire earth, circling it in their relentless quest. At last, they returned to their father and reported, “We have traversed the whole world, and wherever we went, we have slain all powerful beings—gods, demons, rākṣasas, piśācas, serpents, and nāgas. Yet, we do not see your horse, nor the one who took it. What should we do next? Please advise us, O King.” Hearing these words, King Sagara, the best of kings, was filled with anger. He said, “Dig again, my sons—may good fortune come to you. Break through the earth’s surface once more. When you find the horse-thief, return, having accomplished your purpose.” Receiving their father’s command, the sixty thousand sons of Sagara, filled with determination, rushed toward the netherworld. As they dug deeper, they encountered a great elephant, mountain-like in size, with deformed eyes. This mighty being stood supporting the earth itself, bearing its mountains and forests upon his head. Whenever this great elephant, weary from his burden, shakes his head to rest at the junction of the quarters, the earth itself quakes. Honoring this guardian of the quarter, the sons of Sagara circumambulated him with reverence and pressed on, breaking through further into the netherworld. In the eastern quarter, and then again in the southern direction, they broke through and saw yet another great elephant—Mahāpadma, a being of immense soul and vast as a mountain, supporting the earth. Filled with wonder, they circled him and continued on. In the western direction, they encountered Saumanasa, the great elephant of that quarter, also resembling a massive mountain. They circumambulated him, questioned him, and found him unharmed, before turning their digging efforts toward the direction of the moon. In the north, they beheld Bhadra, the snow-white elephant of auspicious form, bearing the earth. They greeted him respectfully and, after circumambulating him, broke open the surface of the earth once more. At last, they proceeded to the renowned northeastern direction, and, driven by anger, dug deeply into the earth. There, all the mighty and impetuous sons of Sagara beheld Kapila, the eternal Vāsudeva, sitting in meditation. Nearby, they saw the horse wandering, and their hearts filled with incomparable joy. But, believing Kapila to be the destroyer of their father’s sacrifice, their eyes blazed with anger. Grasping spades, ploughs, trees, and stones, they rushed at him, shouting, “Stop, stop! For you have stolen our sacrificial horse! You wicked-minded one, know us to be the sons of Sagara who have now arrived!” Hearing their words, Kapila, overcome by great wrath, uttered a fearsome roar. In that instant, by the immeasurable power of the great-souled Kapila, all sixty thousand sons of Sagara were reduced to ashes. Now, hear the next portion of this sacred tale from the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. When a long time had passed and his sons did not return, King Sagara spoke to his grandson, a youth radiant with his own splendor. “You are brave, accomplished in knowledge, and equal in brilliance to your ancestors. Seek the path your fathers took, by which the horse was led away. Within the earth dwell powerful and mighty beings; for protection, take up your sword and bow. Salute those worthy of respect, and if any obstruct you, do not hesitate to overcome them. Return successful, having completed my sacrifice.” Thus addressed, the radiant grandson swiftly took up his bow and sword and departed with light steps. He entered the subterranean path excavated by his ancestors, urged on by the king. Along the way, gods, demons, yakshas, spirits, birds, and serpents honored him, and he beheld the mighty elephant of the directions. He circled the elephant reverently, inquired about its well-being, and then questioned it regarding his ancestors and the horse-stealer. The wise and great-minded elephant replied, “Āsamañja, your purpose will be fulfilled; with the horse, you shall soon return.” Encouraged, he continued on, questioning each of the elephants of the directions in turn. All the guardians, skilled and wise, honored him and said, “You will return with the horse.” Heeding their words, the swift-footed prince reached the place where his ancestors, the sons of Sagara, had been reduced to heaps of ashes. Overcome by sorrow, he cried out in great distress, deeply afflicted by their fate. Not far away, that tiger among men, filled with grief and sorrow, saw the sacrificial horse wandering.