Hearing Bhagiratha’s earnest plea, the assembled gods marveled at the depth of his desire. “Great indeed is this wish of yours, O Bhagiratha, mighty chariot-warrior,” they declared, blessing him and affirming that his quest would bring welfare and glory to the Ikshvaku line. Yet, they explained, the task was not simple: “This eldest daughter of the Himalaya, Ganga, must be sustained, O king. Let Hara—Shiva—be appointed to bear her descent.” The gods made clear that the earth could not endure the force of Ganga’s fall. “I see no one but the trident-bearing Shiva fit to sustain her,” they said. With these words, the creator of the worlds addressed both Bhagiratha and Ganga, and then, accompanied by the gods and the hosts of Maruts, returned to heaven. With the gods departed, Bhagiratha, steadfast in his resolve, pressed his thumb upon the earth and began a year-long worship, seeking Shiva’s favor. When the year was complete, the great Lord of all beings—Umāpati, Paśupati—appeared before the king. “I am pleased with you, best of men,” Shiva said. “I shall do as you wish. I will bear the daughter of the mountain-king upon my head.” At Shiva’s promise, Ganga—the eldest daughter of Himavat, honored by all the worlds—assumed an immense and formidable form, her speed and power overwhelming. From the sky, she descended with force, landing upon Shiva’s head. But Ganga, proud and difficult to restrain, considered her course arrogantly, intent on surging wherever she pleased. Sensing her arrogance, the blessed Lord Hara grew angry. The three-eyed one resolved to check her pride and conceal her power. As Ganga fell upon Rudra’s holy head, she became trapped within the vast cavern of Shiva’s matted locks, which resembled the Himalayas themselves. There, she strove in vain to find an exit, wandering within the tangled hair for many years, unable to reach the earth. It was only when one performing supreme austerity saw her and was greatly pleased by her presence that Shiva, appeased, released Ganga. He let her flow toward the lake called Bindusaras, and as she emerged, she split into seven streams. Three auspicious waters—Hladini, Pāvani, and Nalinī—flowed eastward from Shiva. Three others—Suchakshu, Sita, and the great Sindhu—went toward the west. The seventh stream followed closely behind Bhagiratha’s chariot. Bhagiratha, the royal sage, mounted his divine vehicle and led the way, with the mighty Ganga proceeding ahead. From Shiva’s head, she descended at last to the earth. As her waters fell, they made a fierce sound, teeming with fish, turtles, and dolphins. The earth shone with their arrival. Hosts of divine sages, Gandharvas, Yakshas, and Siddhas gathered to witness this wondrous event. Flying palaces shaped like cities, horses, and noble elephants filled the sky as Ganga cascaded from heaven to earth. The gods themselves, stationed in boats, watched in amazement at this supreme descent. The sky, crowded with the gods and their shining ornaments, glowed as if a hundred suns blazed at once. Clouds, dolphins, serpents, and restless fish filled the heavens, and the pale, surging waters of Ganga spread in thousands of streams, sparkling like lightning. Flocks of swans drifted through the sky, which was covered like autumn clouds. Ganga’s course was ever-changing: at times swift, at times crooked, sometimes broad, sometimes surging, sometimes gentle. Water struck against water, rising and falling again and again from Shiva’s head to the earth. Wherever her pure, radiant waters touched the ground, they shone brilliantly. The sages and Gandharvas dwelling on earth rushed to touch the sacred water that had fallen from Bhava’s body. Those who had been exiled from heaven by curses bathed in her waters and were freed from impurity. Their sins washed away, they regained auspiciousness and, ascending once more to the sky, returned to their own worlds. All the people rejoiced, delighted by the radiant water. Having performed ablutions in the Ganga, they became purified. Bhagiratha, the royal sage, climbed again onto his divine chariot and led the way, with Ganga following behind. All the gods, sages, Daityas, Dānavas, Rākṣasas, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, great serpents, and Apsarases joined the procession, following Bhagiratha’s chariot. All the water-dwellers, pleased, followed Ganga. Wherever King Bhagiratha went, there went the glorious Ganga. The best of rivers, destroyer of all sins, proceeded on her way. Then, at the sacrificial ground of Jahnu, the wondrous performer of rites, the journey continued, the sacred river following Bhagiratha’s lead.