When King Sagara finally departed this world, as ordained by the passage of time, the people chose his supremely righteous grandson, Aṃśumān, to ascend the throne. Aṃśumān proved to be a king of great virtue and renown, and his own illustrious son was named Dilīpa. After ruling wisely, Aṃśumān entrusted the kingdom to Dilīpa. Then, seeking spiritual fulfillment, he journeyed to the splendid heights of the Himalayas, where he engaged in severe austerities. For thirty-two thousand years, Aṃśumān dwelled in the forest among ascetics, and through the power of his penance, he ultimately attained heaven. Dilīpa, a king of tremendous energy and splendor, soon learned of the tragic destruction that had befallen his ancestors. Grief weighed heavily upon him, and he found himself unable to decide how best to help them. He pondered deeply: “How can I bring Ganga down to earth? How can I perform the sacred water-rites for my forefathers? How might I deliver them from their fate?” These questions consumed his thoughts. Even as he remained absorbed in this worry, Dilīpa, ever self-controlled and devoted to righteousness, was blessed with a son—Bhagīratha, who was supremely virtuous. Dilīpa performed many great sacrifices and ruled the kingdom for thirty thousand years. Yet, despite all his efforts, he could not discover a way to bring deliverance to his ancestors. At last, overtaken by illness and the inevitable course of time, he passed away, having first anointed his son Bhagīratha as king. By the merit he had accumulated, Dilīpa attained the world of Indra. Bhagīratha, the royal sage, was a righteous king, but he had no offspring and longed for both progeny and the welfare of his people. Entrusting the kingdom to his ministers, he set his heart on bringing the Ganga down to earth. With unwavering resolve, he journeyed to Gokarna and undertook severe austerities. Standing with arms raised, practicing the fivefold penance, eating only once a month, and mastering his senses, Bhagīratha performed terrible penance for a thousand years. At last, when the period of his austerities was complete, the blessed Lord Brahmā, the master and ruler of all beings, was greatly pleased. He appeared to Bhagīratha and spoke kindly, “O King, I am pleased with your steadfast penance. Ask of me any boon you desire.” With joined palms, the radiant and mighty-armed Bhagīratha humbly replied, “If you are truly pleased with me, O Lord, and if my austerity has borne fruit, may the sons of Sagara receive the sacred waters through me. May the ashes of those great souls be moistened by the Ganga, and may they, along with their ancestors, attain the highest heaven. I ask this boon for the sake of my lineage, so that the race of Ikshvaku may endure.” The Grandsire of all worlds smiled and replied with auspicious words, “Great indeed is your wish, O Bhagiratha. So be it—may you bring glory to the Ikshvaku line. Yet know this: the Ganga, eldest daughter of the Himalaya, is of such power that the earth cannot withstand her descent. Only Hara, the trident-bearing Shiva, is fit to bear her upon his head. Appoint him for this task.” Having thus instructed the king and addressed Ganga herself, Brahmā, creator of the worlds, departed to heaven with all the gods and the hosts of Maruts. Time passed, and Bhagiratha, undeterred, pressed his thumb to the earth and performed worship for a full year. When that year was complete, the revered Lord of all beings—Umāpati, Paśupati, Lord Shiva—appeared before him and spoke, “I am pleased with you, best of men. I shall do as you wish. I will bear the daughter of the mountain-king upon my head.” Thus honored by the gods, the eldest daughter of Himavat, Ganga herself, assumed a form of immense size and unbearable speed. From the heavens, she descended with great force, landing upon the head of Shiva. But Ganga, proud and difficult to restrain, thought to sweep down to the netherworld, carrying all in her path. Perceiving her arrogance, Shiva grew angry. With his divine power, the three-eyed Lord resolved to check her pride. Ganga fell upon the holy head of Rudra, but within the vast cavern of his matted locks—resembling the Himalayas themselves—she became trapped. For many years, the goddess wandered unable to find an exit from the tangled mass of Shiva’s hair. At length, moved by the supreme austerity of Bhagiratha, Shiva was pleased and released Ganga from his locks, directing her toward the sacred Bindusaras lake. As she flowed forth, seven streams emerged. Three auspicious streams—Hladini, Pāvani, and Nalinī—flowed eastward from Shiva, while Suchakshu, Sita, and the mighty Sindhu flowed to the west. The seventh stream followed behind the chariot of Bhagiratha, who, as a royal sage, mounted his divine vehicle and led the sacred river onward. Thus, through the devotion, penance, and perseverance of Bhagiratha, the celestial Ganga began her descent to earth, following in his wake, bringing hope of deliverance to the sons of Sagara and glory to the Ikshvaku line.