When the sons of Sagara, driven by their quest, confronted the sage Kapila with harsh words—"You are wicked-minded! Know us to be the sons of Sagara who have now arrived!"—the great sage, Kapila, was filled with immense wrath. Overcome by anger, he let out a resounding roar. In that very instant, by the immeasurable power of the great-souled Kapila, all the sons of Sagara, O descendant of Raghu, were reduced to ashes where they stood. Now listen to what followed in the sacred Rāmāyaṇa, as composed by the illustrious Vālmīki. When Sagara realized that his sons had been gone for a long time, he called upon his grandson, radiant with his own splendor, and spoke with deep intent: "You are brave, knowledgeable, and equal in brilliance to your ancestors. Seek the path your fathers took, the path along which the sacrificial horse was led away. Within the earth dwell powerful and mighty beings—take your sword and bow for protection against them. Pay respects to those worthy, and if any create obstacles, do what you must. Return victorious, having completed my sacrifice." Thus addressed by his grandfather, the radiant prince swiftly armed himself and set out, his steps light, his heart resolute. He entered the subterranean path his ancestors had carved, urged on by King Sagara. Along the way, gods, demons, yakshas, spirits, birds, and serpents all honored him. Soon, he beheld the mighty elephant that supports one of the directions of the world. With reverence, he circled the great being, asked after its well-being, and then inquired about his ancestors and the stolen horse. Hearing his sincere questions, the wise elephant replied, "Āsamañja, your purpose is fulfilled; with the horse, you shall soon return." Encouraged, the prince approached all the elephants of the directions in turn, honoring each and seeking their counsel. All the guardians, skilled and wise, honored him and assured, "You will return with the horse." Taking their words to heart, the swift-footed prince went to the place where his ancestors had been reduced to heaps of ashes. Overwhelmed by sorrow, he cried out in distress, deeply afflicted by their fate. Not far from there, he saw the sacrificial horse wandering—and nearby, he beheld Suparṇa, the king of birds, swift as the wind and maternal uncle to his ancestors. Vainateya, the mighty Suparṇa, spoke words of consolation: "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. Only in the sacred Gaṅgā, eldest daughter of Himavat, can you perform the water-rite for your ancestors. When the purifier Gaṅgā washes over these ashes, your sixty thousand forefathers will ascend to the heavenly realm. Go now, gather the horse and complete your grandfather’s sacrifice." Hearing these words, the radiant prince, strong and resolute, quickly took the horse and returned to Sagara, the consecrated king. He recounted everything that had happened, including the words of Suparṇa. Hearing this dreadful tale, Sagara completed the sacrifice with all the proper rites. The illustrious king, having fulfilled the sacred ritual, returned to his city, but the question of how to bring Gaṅgā down to earth—and thus deliver his sons—remained unresolved. Unable to find a solution, the great king Sagara ruled for thirty thousand years before finally departing for heaven. After Sagara’s passing, the people chose his supremely righteous grandson, Aṃśumān, as king. This king, Aṃśumān, was exceedingly great, and his son, renowned for his virtues, was the illustrious Dilīpa. Entrusting the kingdom to Dilīpa, Aṃśumān retired to the Himalayas and performed severe austerities on its beautiful peaks. There, dwelling among ascetics for thirty-two thousand years, the famed king finally attained heaven, his soul enriched by penance. Dilīpa, endowed with great energy, was deeply grieved when he learned of his ancestors’ destruction, and he could not find a way to deliver them. He pondered endlessly: "How can I bring the Gaṅgā down? How can I perform the water-rites for them? How might I deliver their souls?" While he was thus absorbed in thought, ever devoted to righteousness, a son was born to him—a supremely virtuous child named Bhagīratha. Dilīpa, radiant and steadfast, performed many sacrifices and ruled for thirty thousand years. Yet, despite his efforts, he could not resolve the matter of his ancestors’ deliverance. In time, disease overtook him, and he too departed, but by his own merit, reached the world of Indra, having anointed his son Bhagīratha as king. Thus, through generations, the quest to bring the Gaṅgā to earth and redeem the sons of Sagara continued, guided by the unwavering righteousness of Sagara’s descendants.