The great King Bhagiratha set forth on his chariot, moving resolutely ahead, and the sacred river Gaṅgā followed behind him in all her majesty. As this wondrous procession advanced, all the gods, sages, Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas joined in, drawn by the marvel of Gaṅgā’s descent. The foremost among Gandharvas and Yakṣas, the Kinnaras, mighty serpents, and all the celestial Apsarases, too, followed in reverent awe, moving behind Bhagiratha’s chariot as it led the way. All the creatures who dwell in the waters, pleased and delighted, accompanied Gaṅgā, for wherever King Bhagiratha journeyed, there went the glorious river, destroyer of all sins and best among rivers. As she flowed onward, they approached the sacrificial ground of the great sage Jahnu, renowned for his austerities and sacred rites. But as Gaṅgā reached this holy place, her waters, in their exuberant rush, flooded Jahnu’s sacrificial ground. Perceiving this as an act of insolence, the sage Jahnu grew angry. In a feat that astonished gods, Gandharvas, and sages alike, Jahnu drank up all the waters of Gaṅgā, causing great wonder among the assembled beings. The gods, Gandharvas, and sages honored Jahnu, the best among men, and earnestly entreated him to release Gaṅgā, accepting her as his own daughter. Pleased by their supplication, the radiant sage released Gaṅgā from his ears. Thus, she became known as the daughter of Jahnu—Jāhnavī. Once more, Gaṅgā followed Bhagiratha’s chariot, flowing on until she reached the vast ocean. There, she entered the netherworld to fulfill the purpose for which Bhagiratha had undertaken his great penance. The royal sage carefully led her onward, and at last he beheld his ancestors—the sons of Sagara—reduced to ashes and devoid of consciousness. With deep devotion, Bhagiratha poured the pure waters of Gaṅgā over the heap of ashes. By this sacred act, their sins were washed away, and the ancestors, their spirits purified, ascended to heaven, freed at last, O best of the Raghu line. After following Gaṅgā to the ocean and into the depths of the earth where the ashes lay, Bhagiratha performed the immersion. At that moment, Brahmā, lord of all worlds, addressed the king: “O tiger among men, by your deed, the sixty thousand sons of the great Sagara have been delivered and now dwell in heaven like the gods. As long as the ocean’s waters endure, so too will the sons of Sagara remain in heaven. “This Gaṅgā shall be your eldest daughter, renowned in the world by your name, for your deed is unparalleled. She will be called Tripathaga, for she traverses the three worlds, and also Bhāgīrathī, after you. O king, you are the ancestor of all these forefathers; now perform the water-rite and fulfill your vow. “Your illustrious predecessors, though virtuous and mighty, could not attain this wish. Aṃśumān, whose brilliance was unmatched, sought to bring Gaṅgā but could not fulfill his vow. Your father Dilīpa, a royal sage of great asceticism and virtue, also desired this but was unable to accomplish it. But you, O best of men, have surpassed them all, and your fame shall be the highest and most esteemed in the world. By bringing down Gaṅgā, you have attained the great abode of righteousness. “Now, immerse yourself in these sacred waters, purify yourself, and gain the fruit of your merit. Perform the water-rite for your forefathers; may you prosper, O king. I shall now return to my own realm.” Having spoken thus, Brahmā, the grandsire of all worlds, departed to his divine abode. Bhagiratha, the royal sage, performed the excellent water-rite for the Sagaras, following the proper order and custom. Purified by his acts and the sacred waters, the king returned to his own city. Endowed with prosperity, he ruled his kingdom wisely, and his people rejoiced, freed from sorrow and distress, content and prosperous under his reign. Thus, O Rāma, the story of the expanse and descent of Gaṅgā has been told. Blessed indeed is the one who causes this story to be heard among Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and others, for it brings renown, long life, and heaven. The ancestors and gods are pleased by this tale; whoever hears it, O descendant of Kakutstha, has all desires fulfilled, sins destroyed, and both lifespan and fame increased. And so ends the forty-fourth sarga of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. After this narration, Rāghava, together with Lakṣmaṇa, was filled with wonder and addressed Viśvāmitra: “O Brāhmaṇa, what you have spoken is most marvelous—the sacred descent of Gaṅgā and the filling of the ocean. O subduer of foes, the night has passed for us in a moment, as we pondered your entire story.