King Bhagiratha, with deep reverence and resolve, beheld the remains of his ancestors—reduced to ashes and bereft of consciousness. With the sacred waters of the Gaṅgā, he tenderly washed the heap of ashes. By this act, their sins were purified, and they ascended to heaven, freed at last, O scion of the Raghu line. Following the river’s course, Bhagiratha journeyed to the ocean and descended to the depths of the earth where his ancestors’ ashes lay. When he immersed them in the waters of Gaṅgā, the great Lord Brahma, master of all worlds, appeared before him and spoke. “O noble king,” said Brahma, “sixty thousand sons of the mighty Sagara have been delivered and have risen to heaven like the gods themselves. As long as the ocean’s water exists in this world, all the sons of Sagara will remain in heaven, enjoying divine status. And this Gaṅgā will be your eldest daughter, renowned throughout the world by your name and by your deed. She is called Tripathaga, for she traverses three realms, and also Bhagirathi, for you brought her to earth. Thus, she is remembered as Tripathaga. You are the ancestor of all the forefathers here, O king; fulfill your vow and perform the water-rite for them. This wish was never attained by your illustrious and righteous predecessors. Aṃśumān, whose brilliance was unmatched, sought to bring the Gaṅgā but could not fulfill his vow. The royal sage Dilipa, your father, virtuous and radiant, whose asceticism rivaled my own and who upheld the warrior’s duty, also desired to bring Gaṅgā but was unable, O sinless one. But you, O best of men, have surpassed them all. You have achieved the highest and most esteemed fame in the world. The descent of Gaṅgā has been accomplished by you, O destroyer of foes; through this, you have attained the supreme abode of righteousness. Now, immerse yourself in the waters as is proper, O foremost among men; be purified and obtain the fruit of merit. Perform the water-rite for your forefathers; may you fare well. I shall now return to my own realm; you may go, O king.” Having spoken thus, the lord of the gods, the grandsire of all worlds, departed as he had come, returning to his own divine realm. Bhagiratha, the royal sage, then performed the sacred water-rite for the Sagaras with proper order and custom. Purified, he returned to his city, prosperous and noble, and ruled his kingdom with wisdom. His people rejoiced at his return, freed from sorrow and distress, and became content and prosperous. Thus, O Rāma, the expanse and story of the Gaṅgā has been told to you. May you fare well, for the twilight hour is passing. Blessed and renowned is the one who causes this story to be heard among Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and all others; it brings life, fruitfulness, and leads to heaven. The ancestors are pleased, and so are the gods; this tale of Gaṅgā’s descent bestows long life and auspiciousness. Whoever hears it, O descendant of Kakutstha, attains all desires, destroys all sins, and gains both long life and fame. Now, the forty-fourth sarga in the Bālakāṇḍa of the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, the first poem, concludes. Let the forty-fifth sarga be heard in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa. Having listened to Viśvāmitra’s words, Rāma, together with Lakṣmaṇa, was filled with wonder. He spoke to Viśvāmitra, “O Brāhmaṇa, what you have told is most marvelous—the sacred descent of Gaṅgā and the filling of the ocean. The night has passed for us as if in a moment, as we pondered your entire story. With Saumitri, I spent the whole night reflecting on your auspicious tale.” At dawn, as the day cleared, Rāma, destroyer of enemies, completed his morning rites and addressed the ascetic Viśvāmitra, “The blessed night has passed, and the supreme story has been heard. Let us cross the sacred river, the best of streams, the threefold-flowing Gaṅgā.” A boat, easily crossed by sages of virtuous deeds, arrived quickly, knowing the revered one was present. Hearing Rāma’s words, Viśvāmitra arranged for the crossing of the entire assembly of sages. They reached the northern bank, honored the group of sages, and settled there, beholding the city of Viśālā. Then, accompanied by Rāma, the eminent sage swiftly entered the delightful and splendid city of Viśālā, which shone like heaven. Rāma, wise and respectful, with joined palms, asked Viśvāmitra about the excellent and vast city, “O great sage, which royal lineage is established here in Viśālā? I wish to hear, for I am greatly curious.” Hearing Rāma’s words, the foremost among sages began to recount the ancient history of Viśālā.