As the mighty Bhagiratha journeyed onward with his chariot, a wondrous procession followed in his wake. The foremost among the Gandharvas and Yakṣas, along with the Kinnaras and the great serpents, and all the celestial Apsarases, trailed behind him, drawn by the grandeur of his undertaking. Wherever King Bhagiratha led, the glorious river Gaṅgā herself followed, and all beings who dwelled in the waters, pleased and joyful, accompanied her on her sacred descent. Gaṅgā, the best of rivers and destroyer of all sins, advanced with resplendence. In her course, she arrived at the sacrificial ground of the sage Jahnu, renowned for his wondrous rites and great soul. There, Gaṅgā, in her exuberance, flooded Jahnu’s sacrificial ground. Perceiving this act as insolence, the sage Jahnu became angry. In a feat that astonished all, he drank up all the waters of Gaṅgā. The gods, Gandharvas, and sages beheld this marvel with amazement. They came together to honor Jahnu, the great and noble sage, and humbly entreated him to accept Gaṅgā as his daughter. Pleased by their supplication, the radiant Jahnu released Gaṅgā from his ears. From that time, she was called the daughter of Jahnu, and became known throughout the worlds as Jāhnavī. Once released, Gaṅgā resumed her journey, following Bhagiratha’s chariot once more. Flowing with purpose, the foremost of rivers reached the ocean and then entered the depths of the netherworld, to fulfill the noble task for which Bhagiratha had so long strived. The royal sage Bhagiratha carefully guided Gaṅgā, and at last, he beheld the ashes of his ancestors, the sons of Sagara, lying insentient and lifeless. With great reverence, Bhagiratha washed the heap of ashes with the pure waters of Gaṅgā. Cleansed of their sins by her touch, the souls of his ancestors were purified and ascended to heaven, O best of the Raghu line. Continuing the tale, after Bhagiratha followed Gaṅgā to the ocean and into the earth’s depths where his ancestors had been reduced to ashes, the moment their ashes were immersed in Gaṅgā’s sacred waters, Brahma, the lord of all worlds, appeared and addressed the king. “O tiger among men,” Brahma declared, “by your devotion, 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 endure in this world, all the sons of Sagara shall remain in heaven, their sins washed away.” Brahma continued, “This Gaṅgā will be your eldest daughter, renowned by your name, for it is through your deed that she has descended. She is called Tripathaga, for she traverses three paths—heaven, earth, and the netherworld—and also Bhagirathi, after you.” “O king of men, you are now the ancestor of all the forefathers here. Perform the water-rite and fulfill your vow, for this wish was not attained by your illustrious ancestors. Even Aṃśumān, brilliant among men, sought to bring Gaṅgā but could not. Your father Dilipa, virtuous and radiant, desired the same but was also unable to fulfill this vow. But you, O best of men, have surpassed them all, attaining the highest and most esteemed fame in the world. Through your great effort, Gaṅgā has descended, and you have reached the supreme abode of righteousness.” “Now, O best among men, immerse yourself in her waters and obtain the fruit of your merit. Perform the water-rite for your forefathers. May you fare well, for I shall now return to my own realm.” Thus, having spoken, Brahma, the grandsire of all worlds, departed as he had come, returning gloriously to the heavens. Bhagiratha, the royal sage, then performed the sacred water-rites for the Sagaras, following the proper order and custom. Purified and fulfilled, the king returned to his own city, where he ruled with prosperity and righteousness. His people, freed from sorrow and distress, rejoiced at his return and lived contented under his just rule. Thus, O Rāma, has the vast and sacred story of Gaṅgā’s descent been recounted. May you fare well, for the time of twilight is passing. Blessed indeed is one who causes this tale to be heard among Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and others; such a person pleases his ancestors and the gods, and the narrative of Gaṅgā’s descent bestows long life and auspiciousness. Whoever hears this story, O descendant of Kakutstha, attains all desires, is freed from sin, and enjoys increased lifespan and fame. And so ends this portion of the Bālakāṇḍa in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, the first poem. When Viśvāmitra concluded his narration, Rāghava (Rāma), together with Lakṣmaṇa, was filled with wonder. Rāma said to Viśvāmitra, “O Brāhmaṇa, what you have told is truly marvelous—the sacred descent of Gaṅgā and even the filling of the ocean. O subduer of foes, reflecting on your entire story, the night has passed for us as if in a moment. With Saumitri by my side, I spent the whole night pondering the auspicious tale you have shared.” Thus, the night passed in contemplation of the divine descent of Gaṅgā, as narrated by the sage Viśvāmitra.