Desiring to honor the departed royal sons with the traditional water-rite, the mighty Aṃśumān searched for a reservoir, but none could be found. Gazing keenly about, he spotted Suparṇa, the king of birds—Vainateya, swift as the wind and maternal uncle to his ancestors. Vainateya comforted him, saying, “Do not grieve, tiger among men; this death is accepted by the world. These mighty ones were burned by the immeasurable sage Kapila; you should not offer them ordinary water. Instead, perform their rites with the sacred Gaṅgā, eldest daughter of Himavat. When Gaṅgā, purifier of worlds, washes over these heaps of ashes, sixty thousand sons will attain the heavenly realm. Go now, gather the horse and complete the ancestral sacrifice.” Hearing Suparṇa’s words, Aṃśumān, radiant and powerful, quickly took the horse and returned to the consecrated king. He reported all that had happened, including Suparṇa’s guidance. Upon hearing these dreadful tidings, King Sagara performed the sacrifice according to prescribed rites. Having fulfilled his duty, the illustrious king returned to his city, yet found no resolution regarding the descent of Gaṅgā. After ruling for thirty thousand years, the great king departed for heaven in due course. Now listen to the next chapter. When Sagara passed away, the people chose Aṃśumān, supremely righteous, as king. This Aṃśumān was exceedingly great, and his renowned son was the illustrious Dilīpa. Entrusting the kingdom to Dilīpa, Aṃśumān withdrew to the Himalaya’s beautiful peak to perform severe austerities. Dwelling among ascetics for thirty-two thousand years, he attained heaven, enriched by his penance. Dilīpa, endowed with great energy, was overcome by grief upon hearing of his ancestors’ destruction, unable to reach a decision. He pondered deeply: How might the descent of Gaṅgā be accomplished? How could the funeral rites with water be performed? How might he deliver his forebears? While absorbed in these thoughts, a supremely virtuous son named Bhagīratha was born to him. Dilīpa, of great splendor, performed many sacrifices and ruled for thirty thousand years. Yet, without achieving resolution for his ancestors’ deliverance, he was overtaken by disease and met his end, ascending to Indra’s world after anointing Bhagīratha as king. Bhagīratha, the royal sage, was a great king without offspring, yet desirous of progeny and subjects. Entrusting the kingdom to his ministers, he devoted himself to bringing down the Gaṅgā, undertaking long austerities at Gokarna. With arms raised, practicing the fivefold austerity, subsisting on monthly food, and mastering his senses, he stood in terrible penance for a thousand years. When Bhagīratha’s great austerities were complete, Lord Brahmā, the master and ruler of beings, was greatly pleased. The Grandsire addressed him: “O King Bhagīratha, I am pleased with you; choose a boon.” Standing with joined palms, Bhagīratha humbly requested, “If you are pleased with me, may all the sons of Sagara receive water from me. May their ashes, moistened by Gaṅgā, attain the highest heaven, along with our ancestors. Grant me this boon, so that our lineage does not perish.” Brahmā replied with auspicious and sweet words: “Great indeed is your desire, O Bhagīratha. So let it be, enhancer of the Ikshvaku line. But Gaṅgā, eldest daughter of Himalaya, must be sustained. Let Hara (Shiva) be appointed to bear her, for the earth cannot endure her descent. None but Shiva is fit to sustain her.” Having spoken thus to Bhagīratha and addressed Gaṅgā, Brahmā departed to heaven with all the gods. Thus ends the forty-second chapter. Now listen to the next sarga. When the Lord of gods had departed, Bhagīratha pressed his thumb upon the earth and performed worship for a year, steadfast in his resolve to bring Gaṅgā down.