As Bhagiratha’s quest reached its climax, the heavens themselves became a spectacle. The sky, thick with clouds, glowed as if a hundred suns had risen, and within its depths swam dolphins, serpents, and restless fish. Lightning flashed across the pale, surging waters, which spilled from the sky in thousands of streams, scattering brilliance everywhere. Flocks of swans soared like autumn clouds, and the river’s course varied—sometimes swift, sometimes crooked, sometimes wide. In some places, the waters surged upward; elsewhere, they moved slowly and gently. At times, the water struck against itself, rising again and again only to fall back to the earth. The sacred water that had descended from Śaṅkara’s head shone brilliantly, now cleansed of all impurity. Hosts of sages and Gandharvas dwelling on earth touched this water, declaring it sacred. Those who had fallen from the sky to earth by a curse performed ablutions there, washing away their sins and becoming auspicious once more. Freed from impurity, they regained their worlds in the sky, and all rejoiced at the radiant waters. Those who bathed in the Gaṅgā were purified. Bhagiratha, the royal sage, mounted his divine chariot and proceeded ahead, with Gaṅgā herself following behind. All the gods, sages, Daityas, Dānavas, Rākṣasas, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, great serpents, and Apsarases followed Bhagiratha’s chariot. The water-dwellers, delighted, followed Gaṅgā wherever Bhagiratha went, for the glorious river went with him. The best of rivers, destroyer of all sins, advanced until she reached the sacrificial ground of Jahnu, the wondrous performer of rites. There, Gaṅgā flooded Jahnu’s sacrificial ground, and perceiving her insolence, Jahnu grew angry. In an extraordinary feat, he drank up all the water of Gaṅgā, astonishing the gods, Gandharvas, and sages. They honored Jahnu, the best of men, and entreated him to accept Gaṅgā as his daughter. Pleased, Jahnu released her from his ears, and thus Gaṅgā became known as Jahnu’s daughter, Jāhnavī. Once released, Gaṅgā again followed Bhagiratha’s chariot and reached the ocean. She entered the netherworld to fulfill Bhagiratha’s purpose, and the royal sage carefully led her onward. There, he saw his ancestors—reduced to ashes and devoid of consciousness. With the excellent water of Gaṅgā, Bhagiratha washed the heap of ashes, purifying their sins, and they ascended to heaven. Following the course of Gaṅgā, King Bhagiratha reached the ocean and entered the earth’s depths where his ancestors’ ashes lay. When the ashes were immersed in Gaṅgā’s waters, Brahma, lord of all worlds, spoke to Bhagiratha: “O tiger among men, sixty thousand sons of the great Sagara have been delivered and have ascended to heaven like the gods. As long as the ocean’s water exists in the world, all the sons of Sagara will remain in heaven.” Brahma continued, “This Gaṅgā will be your eldest daughter and will be renowned in the world by your name. The divine Gaṅgā is called Tripathaga, and also Bhagirathi, for she traverses three paths. You are the ancestor of all forefathers here; perform the water-rite and fulfill your vow. Previously, this wish was not attained by your illustrious predecessor, nor by Aṃśumān, whose brilliance was unmatched, nor by Dilipa, your father, virtuous and radiant. But you, O best of men, have surpassed them all. You have accomplished the descent of Gaṅgā and reached the great abode of righteousness. Immerse yourself in the water and obtain the fruit of merit. Perform the water-rite for your forefathers; I shall depart to my realm, and you may return to yours.” With these words, Brahma, the lord of the gods, departed to his own realm. Bhagiratha, the royal sage, performed the excellent water-rite for the Sagaras according to proper order and custom. Purified, he returned to his city, prosperous and renowned, and ruled his kingdom as the best among men.