Having completed their ablutions in the sacred waters of the Gaṅgā, Bhagiratha and his companions were purified. The royal sage Bhagiratha then mounted his divine chariot, and proceeded ahead. Behind him followed the Gaṅgā herself, radiant and majestic. As Bhagiratha advanced, a wondrous procession gathered: all the gods, sages, Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas joined in, as did the foremost Gandharvas and Yakṣas, Kinnaras, great serpents, and all the Apsarases. All these celestial beings followed Bhagiratha’s chariot in reverence. The water-dwellers, delighted by Gaṅgā’s descent, followed her as she flowed wherever Bhagiratha went. Thus, the glorious Gaṅgā, the best of rivers and destroyer of all sins, proceeded onward. When she reached the sacrificial ground of Jahnu, the illustrious performer of rites, Gaṅgā overflowed and flooded his sacred site. Perceiving this as an act of insolence, Jahnu became angry and, in an extraordinary feat, drank up all the waters of Gaṅgā. The gods, Gandharvas, and sages were astonished by this marvel. They honored Jahnu, the great-souled and best among men, and beseeched him to accept Gaṅgā as his daughter. Pleased by their entreaties, Jahnu released Gaṅgā from his ears. Thus, Gaṅgā became known as the daughter of Jahnu, and is also called Jāhnavī. Once freed, Gaṅgā again followed Bhagiratha’s chariot, journeying onward until she reached the ocean. There, she entered the netherworld to fulfill Bhagiratha’s purpose. The royal sage carefully guided Gaṅgā to the depths of the earth, where he beheld his ancestors, reduced to ashes and bereft of consciousness. With the excellent water of Gaṅgā, Bhagiratha washed the heap of ashes, and, purified of their sins, his ancestors ascended to heaven. Continuing his journey, Bhagiratha followed the course of the Gaṅgā to the ocean, entering the earth’s depths where the ashes of his ancestors lay. When these ashes were immersed in the waters of Gaṅgā, 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 the world, all the sons of Sagara will remain in heaven. This Gaṅgā will be your eldest daughter, renowned in the world by your name through your deed. The divine Gaṅgā is called Tripathaga, for she traverses three paths, and also Bhagirathi, bearing your name. You are the ancestor of all the forefathers here, O king; perform the water-rite and fulfill your vow. Previously, this wish was not attained by your illustrious predecessors. Aṃśumān, whose brilliance was unmatched, sought to bring the Gaṅgā but could not fulfill his vow. The royal sage Dilipa, virtuous and equal to the great sages, whose asceticism matched mine and who upheld the warrior’s duty—your father, O fortunate one—was also unable to bring the Gaṅgā, though he desired it. But you, O best of men, have surpassed their vow; you have attained the highest fame in the world. The descent of the Gaṅgā has been accomplished by you, O destroyer of foes, and you have reached the great abode of righteousness. Immerse yourself in the water as is proper; be pure and obtain the fruit of merit. Perform the water-rite for all your forefathers; may you fare well. I shall depart to my own realm; you may go, O king.” Having spoken thus, Brahma, the lord of the gods and grandsire of all worlds, departed as he had come, returning to the realm of the gods. Bhagiratha then performed the excellent water-rite for the Sagaras, following proper order and custom. Having purified himself, the king entered his own city, prosperous and content, and ruled his kingdom wisely. The people rejoiced upon receiving their king, freed from sorrow and distress, and became content. Thus, the expanse of the Gaṅgā was described to Rāma. Blessed, renowned, life-giving, fruitful, and leading to heaven is he who causes this tale to be heard among Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and others. The ancestors and gods are pleased by it; this narrative of the descent of Gaṅgā bestows long life and is auspicious. Whoever hears it, O descendant of Kakutstha, attains all desires; all sins are destroyed, and both lifespan and fame increase. After hearing these words, Rāghava—Rāma—together with Lakṣmaṇa, was filled with wonder and spoke to Viśvāmitra: “O Brāhmaṇa, what you have told is most marvelous—the sacred descent of Gaṅgā and even the filling of the ocean.