Again and again, the sacred waters rose up from the earth toward the heavens, only to fall back down, each time touching and tumbling from the head of Śaṅkara, Lord Shiva. As the waters descended from Bhava’s own body, they shone with a brilliant purity, cleansed of all impurity. At that wondrous sight, hosts of sages and Gandharvas dwelling upon the earth gathered. They joyfully touched the water that had fallen from Shiva, declaring it supremely sacred. Among those present were beings who, due to a curse, had fallen from the sky to earth. These souls performed ablutions in the holy water, and, through the touch of that sanctified stream, their impurities were washed away. Freed from the taint of sin, they became radiant with auspiciousness. Having regained their merit, they rose up again into the sky and returned to their own celestial realms. All the people rejoiced, their hearts delighted by the brilliance of that sacred water. Having bathed in the Gaṅgā, the assembled multitudes were purified. Then Bhagiratha, the royal sage, ascended his divine chariot. The great king proceeded ahead, with the glorious Gaṅgā herself following behind him. All the gods, sages, Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas, together with the foremost Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, mighty serpents, and all the celestial Apsarases, joined the procession, following Bhagiratha’s chariot. Every creature of the waters, pleased and uplifted, accompanied the Gaṅgā as she flowed. Wherever King Bhagiratha journeyed, the radiant river followed, ever faithful to his path. The Gaṅgā, destroyer of all sins and best among rivers, advanced onward, until she reached the sacrificial ground of the great sage Jahnu, renowned for his wondrous rites. There, the Gaṅgā, in her exuberance, flooded the sage’s sacred ground. Perceiving her impetuousness, Jahnu grew angry and, in an extraordinary feat, drank up all the water of the Gaṅgā. The gods, Gandharvas, and sages were astonished at this marvel. They honored the great-souled Jahnu, the best among men, and earnestly entreated him to accept the Gaṅgā as his daughter. Pleased by their prayers, the radiant sage released the Gaṅgā from his ears. Thus, she became known as the daughter of Jahnu and is also called Jāhnavī. Once more, the Gaṅgā followed behind Bhagiratha’s chariot, flowing onward until she reached the ocean. There, she entered the netherworld, fulfilling the purpose of Bhagiratha’s vow, as the royal sage carefully led her on. At last, Bhagiratha beheld his ancestors, reduced to ashes and devoid of consciousness. With the pure and excellent water of the Gaṅgā, he performed the sacred rite, washing over the heap of ashes. By the holy touch of the Gaṅgā, their sins were purified, and they ascended to heaven, O best of the Raghu line. Following the course of the Gaṅgā, the king reached the ocean and entered the depths of the earth, where his ancestors’ ashes lay. As the ashes were immersed in the Gaṅgā’s waters, Brahma, lord of all worlds, appeared and spoke to Bhagiratha: “O tiger among men, the sixty thousand sons of the great Sagara have been delivered and have ascended to heaven like the gods. As long as the waters of the ocean exist in this world, all the sons of Sagara shall remain in heaven, shining like the gods. “And this Gaṅgā will be your eldest daughter; her fame will spread throughout the world by your name, for this deed of yours. The divine Gaṅgā is called Tripathaga, for she traverses three paths—heaven, earth, and the netherworld—and so she is remembered as Tripathaga. She is also known as Bhagirathi, after you. “You are the ancestor of all the forefathers here, O king. Perform the water-rite and fulfill your vow. For this wish was not attained by your illustrious and righteous predecessors. Even Aṃśumān, of unmatched brilliance, sought to bring the Gaṅgā but could not fulfill his vow. The royal sage Dilipa, your father—virtuous and radiant, his asceticism equal to mine—also desired to bring the Gaṅgā, but was unable, O sinless one. But you, O best of men, have surpassed them all. You have attained the highest and most esteemed fame in the world. The descent of the Gaṅgā has been accomplished by you, O destroyer of foes, and through this, you have achieved the great abode of righteousness. “Now, O foremost of men, immerse yourself in the sacred water as is proper. Be purified and obtain the fruit of merit. Perform the water-rite for your forefathers; may you fare well. I shall return to my own realm; you too may go, O king.” Having spoken thus, Brahma, grandsire of all worlds, departed as he had come, returning to the realm of the gods. Then Bhagiratha, the royal sage, performed the excellent water-rite for the Sagaras, renowned and in proper order. Purified by his rites, the king entered his own city, blessed with prosperity, and ruled his kingdom as the best of men. The people rejoiced to receive their king, O Rāghava. Freed from sorrow, prosperous, and relieved of distress, they were content. Thus, O Rāma, the expanse and glory of the Gaṅgā have been described to you. May good fortune be yours, for the time of twilight is passing. Blessed, renowned, life-giving, fruitful, and leading to heaven is he who causes this story to be heard among Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and others. His ancestors are pleased, as are the gods. This narrative of the descent of the Gaṅgā bestows long life and brings auspiciousness to all who hear it.