Near the great sage Kapila, the sons of Sagara at last found the sacrificial horse wandering freely. Overwhelmed with incomparable joy at their discovery, they rejoiced together, for their quest seemed fulfilled. Yet, recognizing Kapila as the one who had disrupted their sacrifice, their hearts burned with anger. Eyes ablaze, they seized spades, ploughs, and whatever trees and stones lay nearby, and rushed toward him. Enraged, they shouted, “Stop, stop! You have stolen our sacrificial horse!” Confronting Kapila, they cried, “You are wicked-minded! Know us to be the sons of Sagara who have now arrived!” Hearing their accusations, Kapila, overcome by tremendous wrath, let out a mighty roar. By the immeasurable power of that great-souled sage, all the sons of Sagara were reduced to ashes. Now, listen to the forty-first chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa. Sagara, realizing his sons had been absent for a long time, called upon his grandson, Aṃśumān, radiant with his own splendor. He said, “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. Salute those worthy of respect, and if any cause obstacles, you must overcome them. Return successful, having completed my sacrifice.” Thus addressed by the great-souled Sagara, Aṃśumān, radiant and resolute, 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. Along the way, he was honored by gods, demons, yakshas, spirits, birds, and serpents. The mighty Aṃśumān beheld the elephant of the directions, circled it reverently, inquired about its well-being, and questioned his ancestors and the horse-stealer as well. The wise elephant of the directions replied, “Āsamañja, your purpose is fulfilled; together with the horse, you will soon return.” Encouraged, Aṃśumān questioned all the elephants of the directions in proper order. Each guardian, skilled in speech and wise in words, honored him and assured, “You will return with the horse.” Following their guidance, Aṃśumān went to the place where his ancestors, the Sagaras, had been reduced to heaps of ashes. Overcome by sorrow, he cried out in great distress, deeply afflicted by their tragic fate. Not far away, filled with grief and sorrow, he saw the sacrificial horse wandering. Desiring to perform the water-rite for his royal ancestors, the mighty Aṃśumān searched for water, but found no reservoir. Casting his keen gaze around, he saw Suparṇa, the king of birds—his ancestors’ maternal uncle—swift as the wind. Vainateya, the mighty one, spoke gently to him, “Do not grieve, tiger among men; this death is accepted by the world. These mighty ones were burned by the immeasurable Kapila; you should not offer them ordinary water. Gaṅgā, eldest daughter of Himavat, is the one in whom you must perform the water-rite for your ancestors. The purifier of worlds, Gaṅgā, will wash over these heaps of ashes; when this ash is moistened by beloved Gaṅgā, sixty thousand sons will attain the heavenly realm. Go forth, gather the horse, and complete the ancestral sacrifice, O hero.” Hearing Suparṇa’s words, the radiant and powerful Aṃśumān quickly took the horse and returned, the great ascetic. Approaching the consecrated king, he reported all that had happened, including the words spoken by Suparṇa. Hearing those dreadful words from Aṃśumān, King Sagara completed the sacrifice according to the prescribed rites and procedures. Having performed the desired sacrifice, the illustrious king returned to his own city, but found no resolution regarding the descent of Gaṅgā. Without achieving this goal, the great king ruled for thirty thousand years, then departed to heaven in due course. Now listen to the forty-second chapter. When Sagara passed away, the people chose Aṃśumān, supremely righteous, as king. Aṃśumān was exceedingly great; his renowned son was the illustrious Dilīpa. Entrusting the kingdom to Dilīpa, Aṃśumān performed severe austerities on the beautiful peak of the Himalaya. Dwelling in the forest of ascetics for thirty-two thousand years, the king attained heaven, enriched by his austerities. Dilīpa, endowed with great energy, upon hearing of his ancestors’ destruction, was overcome by grief and could not reach a decision. He pondered deeply: How might the descent of Gaṅgā be accomplished? How could the funeral rites with water be performed for them? How might he deliver them? Constantly absorbed in these thoughts, self-controlled and devoted to righteousness, Dilīpa was blessed with a son named Bhagīratha, supremely virtuous and destined to fulfill the ancestral quest.