Dilīpa, a king of radiant splendor, ruled his kingdom with wisdom and performed countless sacrifices over thirty thousand years. Yet, despite his devotion and efforts, he was unable to secure deliverance for his ancestors. In accordance with the law of time, Dilīpa was overtaken by disease and passed away, his fate sealed by the cycles of existence. Through the merit he had accumulated, Dilīpa ascended to the world of Indra, leaving his son Bhagīratha as king. Bhagīratha, a royal sage of great righteousness and a descendant of Raghu, was a noble king, though he had no offspring. His heart yearned for progeny and for the welfare of his subjects. With a determined spirit, he entrusted the kingdom to his ministers and resolved to bring the sacred Ganga down to earth, so that his ancestors might find deliverance. Bhagīratha journeyed to Gokarna and there, with unwavering focus, began his arduous austerities. He raised his arms and practiced the fivefold austerity, subsisting only on food once a month, mastering his senses, and standing in fierce penance for a thousand years. At last, when Bhagīratha’s long and terrible austerities had concluded, the blessed Lord Brahmā, the master and ruler of all beings, was moved by his devotion. Brahmā appeared before Bhagīratha, saying, “O King Bhagīratha, steadfast and noble, I am pleased with you. By your well-performed austerity, choose a boon, O lord of men.” Standing with joined palms and radiant presence, Bhagīratha addressed the Grandsire: “If the Blessed One is pleased with me, if my austerity has borne fruit, may all the sons of Sagara receive water from me. May their ashes be moistened by the waters of the Ganga, so that they, along with their ancestors, may attain the highest heaven. I ask this for the sake of my lineage, O Lord, so that the race of Ikshvaku does not perish. Grant me this supreme boon.” Brahmā replied with auspicious and sweet words, “Great indeed is your desire, O Bhagiratha, mighty chariot-warrior. So let it be. Welfare be upon you, enhancer of the Ikshvaku line. But know, O king, that Ganga, the eldest daughter of the Himalaya, must be sustained. Let Hara—Shiva—be appointed to bear her, for the earth cannot endure her descent. I see none but the trident-bearer fit to sustain her.” Having spoken thus to Bhagīratha and Ganga, the creator of the worlds departed to heaven with all the gods and hosts of Maruts. When the Lord of gods had departed, Bhagīratha pressed his thumb upon the earth and performed worship for a year. At the completion of the year, the revered Lord of all beings—Umāpati, Paśupati, Shiva—appeared before the king and spoke: “I am pleased with you, best of men. I will do what pleases you. I shall bear the daughter of the mountain-king upon my head.” Then Ganga, the eldest daughter of Himavat, honored by all the worlds, assumed a vast and immense form, rushing down with an unbearable speed. From the sky, Ganga descended and landed upon Shiva, settling upon his holy head. The goddess, most difficult to restrain, considered her course, seeking to sweep Shiva and his stream into the netherworld. Recognizing her arrogance, Shiva became angry and resolved to subdue her. Ganga fell upon the sacred head of Rudra, but in the cavern of Shiva’s matted locks—resembling the peaks of the Himalaya—she strove in vain, unable to find her way to earth. Trapped within the mass of Shiva’s matted hair, Ganga wandered for many years, unable to escape. Yet, once again, Bhagīratha, performing supreme austerity, saw her and was greatly pleased by her presence. Then, Shiva released Ganga toward the Bindusaras lake. As she was released, seven streams emerged: Hladini, Pāvani, and Nalinī flowed eastward, auspicious waters of Shiva; Suchakshu, Sita, and Sindhu, the great river, went westward. The seventh stream followed the chariot of Bhagīratha. Bhagīratha, the royal sage, mounted his divine vehicle, and the mighty Ganga proceeded ahead, descending from the sky, from Shiva’s head, to the earth. Her waters flowed with a fierce sound, teeming with fish, turtles, and dolphins. As Ganga fell and landed, the earth shone brilliantly. Divine sages, Gandharvas, Yakshas, and Siddhas gathered, witnessing her descent from the heavens. The gods moved about in boats, marveling at the wondrous and supreme descent of the Ganga. Desiring to witness this miracle, hosts of gods, immeasurably powerful, assembled in the sky. Their ornaments shone brightly as they flew, and the sky itself, filled with clouds and illuminated like a hundred suns, sparkled with dolphins, serpents, and restless fish, celebrating the sacred arrival of the Ganga on earth.