King Sagara waited in vain for the return of the princes who had gone in search of the sacrificial horse.

After some days he called his grandson, Amsumaan, and said: "I am anxious to know what has happened to the princes who went to Paataala. You are brave; go thither, well-armed, find out what has happened and come back crowned with success."

Amsumaan went closely following the path of the princes and reached the nether world where he saw and paid salutations to the mighty elephants standing guard at the four quarters. These guardians of the quarters uttered encouraging words and said he would succeed in his mission.

When in due course Amsumaan entered and went round Paataala he was delighted when he found the sacrificial horse grazing contentedly there, but was perplexed and distressed when be saw heaps of ashes all over the place. Could they be all that remained of his valiant uncles?

Garuda, the bird-king, brother of Sumati, Sagara's second wife, who chanced to be there told Amsumaan: "Those ashheaps are all that is left of the sixty thousand sons of Sagara who were consumed by the wrathful glance of Sage Kapila. Dear child takes the horse and complete the yaaga. If these ashes are to be watered according to custom so that the souls of the princes may rest in peace, Ganga should be brought down here from the land of the Devas."

Amsumaan rushed home with the horse and told the king all that he had found and learnt.

Sagara was immersed in sorrow at the fate that had overtaken his sons. However, the horse having been brought back, he completed the yaaga. Grieving over his lost sons and despairing of ever bringing Ganga down to the nether world, he died disconsolate.

According to the Raamaayana, Sagara lived for 30,000 years. Figures like 30,000 and 60,000 need not confuse us; 'thirty-thousand' may mean either a very large number or just thirty. If we so like, we may take these figures literally.

Amsumaan succeeded Sagara as King of Ayodhya and was, in turn, succeeded by Dileepa. Bhageeratha came after Dileepa.

Amsumaan and Dileepa, though happy and blessed in other respects, died grieving that they were unable to bring Ganga to Paataala for the salvation of their forefathers.

Bhageeratha was a valiant king. He was childless. Desiring progeny and hoping, to bring Ganga down, he left for Gokarna for performing penance, leaving the kingdom in the hands of his ministers.

Bhageeratha went through severe austerities. With fire on all sides and head exposed to the hot sun, and taking food but once a month, he continued his tapas. Bhageeratha's name has come to signify great perseverance in any good cause.

Brahma, pleased with the tapas, appeared before Bhageeratha and asked: "What would you have?"

Bhageeratha told him his two wishes: "If you have pity on me, bless me with a child to continue the line of my forebears. Secondly, cursed by Kapilamuni, my ancestors lie a heap of ashes in Paataala. The ashes should be washed by the waters of Ganga so that their souls may ascend to heaven. May you be pleased to order Ganga to go down."

Brahma replied: "The Devas are pleased with your tapas. Your wishes are granted. But there is one difficulty. The earth cannot withstand the force of Ganga's descent; Siva alone can stand it. Therefore direct your penance and prayers to him."

Bhageeratha renewed his tapas and continued long without food or water, and at last won Siva's race. Siva appeared and said to Bhageeratha: "I shall fulfil your wish. I shall receive Ganga on my head. May her grace be upon you."

When Mahaadeva promised help to Bhageeratha, Ganga began her descent as ordered by Brahma. In her arrogance, she thought she would fall on Mahaadeva's head and sweep him away towards Paataala.

The three-eyed God decided to teach Ganga a lesson. And the moment he willed it, the flood of waters that fell on his head were held by his matted hair as in an infinite receptacle. Ganga tried her best but not a drop could emerge from the tangled maze of Siva's matted locks,

This was a lesson to Ganga to be sure, but a heart-breaking disappointment to Bhageeratha.

There was nothing for him but to propitiate Siva with-tapas. This he did to such good purpose that Siva took pity on him and gently let out the waters of Ganga in Bindu Saras from where they flowed down in seven small separate streams.

Three of them flowed west and three easts; and the seventh river followed Bhageeratha who was full of joy at the approach ing salvation of his ancestors.

Ganga followed Bhageeratha's triumphal chariot; the waters danced and shone like lightning flashes as the river made its course and the Devas and Gandharvas assembled above to witness the grand sight. Sometimes slow and sometimes fast, now sliding down and now jumping up, the river went on dancing behind Bhageeratha's chariot and the folk of heaven enjoyed the sight all the way.

On her course, Ganga damaged the yaaga platform of a rishi by name Jahnu. The rishi took the entire flood in his palm and sipped it off. Ganga disappeared again and Bhageeratha was sorely perplexed.

The Devas and other rishi's approached Jahnu and begged him to forgive Ganga and allow Bhageeratha to reap the fruit of his great austerities and perseverance. The sage relented and let Ganga out through his right ear. The Devas were glad and blessed Ganga thus: "Coming out of the rishi's body as out of your mother's womb, You are now jaahnavi, Jahnu's daughter."

There was no further hindrance or mishap and Ganga reached Paataala through the ocean. With the holy waters, Bhageeratha performed the funeral rites for his ancestors and secured for them their entry to heaven.

Bhageeratha's efforts having brought Ganga down, she is known as Bhaageerathi.

After concluding this narrative, Viswaamitra blessed the princes. "The sun is setting," he said. "Let us say our evening prayers in the waters of Ganga whom your ancestor brought down to this world."

Those who bathe in the holy waters of Ganga or read or listen to this divine story with devotion, will be cleansed of sin and endowed with virtue, strength and unflagging zeal.