Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānḍa - Sarga 35-44 : History of Gangā & Kārtikeya

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 35

Motivated by Rāma's words the eminent-Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra commenced to narrate about the emergence and that way even about the progression of Gangā nadī. "The lordly Parvata Himavān who is the greatest treasure trove of dhātu, Rāma, also treasures up a pair of daughters who by their comeliness are unmatched on earth. The slender-waisted and fascinating daughter of Meru Parvata, héy Rāma, renowned by her name Mena, is the dear bhāryā of Himavān and the mother of those 2 daughters, indeed. "This Gangā has emerged as an elder daughter to Himavān through Mena, héy Rāghava, and that way a girl renowned by the name Uma has become a second daughter to him. Later, all of the divinities intending to fulfil a divine purpose have sought the lordly Parvata Himavān to spare Gangā, who is scheduled to become a tri-way-cruising nadī. With a dharmātmā thinking and hopeful of the welfare in triadic loka, Himavān then spared his daughter Gangā whose flow is at her own volition. "Those divinities who are the well-wishers of the well-being of tri-loka welcomed Gangā, who is incidentally intended for the purpose of the tri-loka, and they came back to svarga bringing Gangā with them, with a heartfelt joy for their purpose is fulfilled.

"The other daughter of Himavanta, héy Raghu's descendent, that unmarried girl namely Uma, she performed a rigorous sacrament taking hold of a supreme devoutness as her Tapa itself is her wealth. As for Uma who is unified with her rigorous sacrament and who is adored by all the loka, that best one among Parvata Himavanta gave such a daughter to the unique Deva Rudra. "Héy Rāghava, the prominent one among nadī namely Gangā and Uma Devi as well, these are the 2 daughters of the Rājā of Parvata that are highly revered by the loka. "Dear boy Rāma with beautiful gait, as to how the triply coursing Gangā has cruised to svarga in the first phase, I have related all about that cruise to you. "As such, that marvellous and sinless daughter of the Śailendra, ever-flowing in the rūpa of water, ascended to Sura-Lokam and became Sura Nadī

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 36

When that Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra has finished narration of the legend of the daughters of Himavanta, both the vīra ones, namely Rāghava and Lakṣmaṇa in their turn have extolled that legend and spoke to that eminent-Ṛṣi. "All-inclusive in dharma is this admirable discourse given by you about Gangā, héy Brāhmaṇa, and about that elder daughter of Himavanta, Gangā, it will be apt of you to tell emphatically, for you are in the know of its emphasis. About her divine and earthly legend. "For what reason is she, that loka-purifier Gangā, is flooding in 3 courses? How then, coursing as she in three-way, is renowned as the only prominent nadī? Héy dharmajña, by what karma she is conjoined for renown in all the 3 lokas?" Thus enquired by Kākutstha-s, then the tapa-wealthy Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra narrated her legend. All that legend in its entirety is described by Viśvāmitra, sitting with Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa among Ṛṣis, "Earlier, héy Rāma, Prabhu Śiva, the sublime-Tapasvi, and one who has a bluish throat, as he consumed viṣa during the churning of Kṣīra-Sāgara, and on marrying Uma.

"Śiva having eyes for his patnī Devi Uma, he began lovemaking, and during that Sublime, Sagacious and blue-throated Śiva's nuptial merrymaking, elapsed are a 100 divine years. "But, héy Rāma, even a putra did not spring from her. And Héy the paraṃtapa Rāma, then all the Devatā sprang up at the prolonged activity of Śiva and Uma by which an unknown disaster may occur, and with Brahmā. the Pitāmahaḥ, as their leader they worried." 'Which Being emerges from Devi Uma after this prolonged yogic act of copulation with Śiva? And who consequentially can sustain that Being?' This being the worry of all Devatā they all on approaching and paying their kīrti to Śiva spoke this to Śiva." 'Oh, Deva of Devatā, Mahādeva. interested in the welfare of these lokas, and by this veneration of all these Devatā, it will be apt of you to accord prasāda. 'The lokas are incapable to bear your sperm, héy best of Sura (Devatā). thus, in unison with Vedic postulates of Yoga, you practice yogic Tapaḥ along with your patnī Devi Uma, to retain your seed within yourself. Desiring the welfare of the 3 lokas, sustain your semen in your virility itself and protect all these lokas in the jagat. it will be unapt of you to render the jagat devoid of these lokas.

"On listening the words of all those Devatā that Universally Rarefied-Śiva said to all those Devatā, 'so be it.' and again spoke this also, verily. 'I wish to bear my sperm in my virility and Uma in hers. let the immortals and mortals as well, enter upon a perfect bliss. A part of it has already stirred up from its place [and that part is uncontainable by me, so,] oh Devatā of eminence, tell me who can contain that part of unparallel sperm of mine. "Thus spoken by Śiva, then the Devatā in reply spoke to Him, whose banner is Divine-Bull, 'that sperm which has already stirred up, the earth endures that now. Thus said by those Devatā, the Deva of Devatā, Śiva, the Yogi of par excellence, well-discharged his semen. by which overspread is the earth with all its Parvata and vana-s. "Thereby again the Devatā said to Agni-Deva even, 'you enter the great-potence of Rudra along with Wind-god, [lest that potence may annihilate the earth and earthlings, further you can consume anything that is oblated in you.] "That fluid of Śiva is again compacted by Agni-Deva and then it well-emerged as a whitish Parvata, for it is the divine vana of reeds, called shaRāvaṇa, and in its shine it equals the Fire and Surya Wherefrom, chancing from Agni-Deva, the great-brilliant Kārtikeya has emerged. then, all Devatā and the multitudes of Ṛṣi-s at Uma and also Śiva adored.

"Adored are Uma and Śiva fulsomely, heartily by the well-pleased Devatā. And thereby, Uma, the daughter of Himavata Parvata, héy Rāma, said this to the divinities. She cursed all the Devatā furiously with her eyes reddening in anger, 'wherefore prevented I am from my intimacy with my consort, whereas I am desirous of a son. You are unworthy to bring forth progeny in your own wives, and from now onwards you wives shall become infertile. "Thus said by Uma to all the Devatā, she also cursed the earth saying, 'Héy Earth, your appearance shall not be unique and you will be a bhāryā to many. "Not also the delight caused by the children you shall get, rendered sully by my anger, and Héy verily base-minded earth, for you are undesirous of my son. "On seeing at all those Devatā distressed [or ashamed by the śāpa of Uma,] the Deva of Devatā, Śiva started to go towards the westerly direction ruled by Varuṇa. On going to the Himavatan Parvata, at the side of a peak created on the northern side, the Deva of Devatā, Śiva settled down in Tapa along with his patnī Uma. "This way to you Héy Rāma, vividly narrated is the legend of Parvata's daughter, namely Devi Uma, and now about the emergence of Gangā may also be listened from me, along with Lakṣmaṇa.

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 37

Whilst Prabhu Siva undertaking his Tapaḥ, then Indra keeping Agni-Deva afore, desiring an Army Chief for Deva forces, with all the other Devatā arrived at the Pitāmahaḥ, Prabhu Brahmā. Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra continued his narration to Rāma. Then, all the Devatā spoke to Brahmā. the Pitāmahaḥ. on worshiping him. Héy Rāma, along with Indra and the Agni-Deva who is kept ahead. Héy Brahmā. by whom an Army Chief was to be given earlier he that Prabhu Siva is undertaking tapaḥ with Devi Uma. What shall be our consequent exploit, cherishing the welfare of the lokas. that you order us in its entirety, for you alone are the knower of that procedure besides our ultimate recourse." Thus the Devatā spoke to Brahmā. On listing the words of Devatā, the Pitāmahaḥ of all the lokas spoke these expedient and harmonious words to Devatā, "What has been said by Devi Uma, the Daughter of Parvata, that 'you have no offspring in your own wives.' these words are unimpeded and undoubtedly true. From this Empyreal Gangā the putra of Agni-Deva can be parented, who shall be an Ariṃdama and the Chief Celestial's Army. Gangā, the elder daughter Rājā of Parvata will honour him as her own putra and that will also be honourable to Uma, the younger daughter of Rājā of Parvata, undoubtedly.

Héy Rāma, delight of Raghu's kula, on hearing those words of Brahmā all Devatā adored Him, and they felt that their ends are achieved, thus they worshipped Brahmā. the Pitāmahaḥ. They the Devatā, on going to that Supreme Kailāsa Parvata, héy Rāma, which is heaped up with many ores, all of them have assigned the Agni-Deva, to father a son. Perform the god's mission, héy Consumer of Fire-oblations, release the potence of Śiva which you have contained so far, in Gangā, the daughter of Rājā of Parvatas. Héy Mahātejā Deva of Agni. Thus, all Devatā have requested the Agni-Deva. Assuring the Devatā, the Agni-Deva approached Gangā and beseeched her. 'Héy Devi Gangā. Accept [the potence of Śiva] in your womb, verily. for this is the cherish of all Devatā.'

On listening all these words, Gangā adopted herself into a Deva form, and on seeing her mahāyaśaḥ rūpa, the Agni-Deva spread himself out on her from all over, thus commingling the semen of Śiva in her, which the Agni-Deva contained this far. Then the Agni-Deva drenched Gangā from all over i.e., inseminated Śiva's potence in her, and Héy Raghu's delight Rāma, and every rill and channel of Gangā is filled up. Then Gangā spoken to the Agni-Deva, who is in the forefront of all Devatā, 'Héy Deva I am incapable to bear the fervour of Prabhu Śiva, compounded with that of yours.' Ablaze by the blaze of that insemination fully well-tormented is her vikrama, then the Agni-Deva, the consumer of the fire-oblations of all Devatā, on seeing her dīna condition, spoke this to Gangā, 'Lay away that embryo here on the side of Himavata Parvatas.' So said Agni-Deva to Gangā. On hearing the words of Agni-Deva, Gangā, that great-radiant embryo of Śiva.

Ejected is that embryo, héy Mahātejā Rāma, from all her rills and channels. And that which [the embryo] on going out from her channels is glittering like the glowing gold on reaching the earth. Which on reaching the earth, that glowing gold-like discharge of Gangā, it generated the exquisitely dazzling [or śubha] gold and silver. Also thus, produced are the copper and iron from that combustion of Prabhu Śiva's, Agni-Deva's fires. There the residua of that combustion also became tin and lead. thus, the embryo on reaching the earth evolved itself into various elements also. But the moment that brilliantly glittering embryo is laid down on those Himavata Parvata, they and the reed-garden became golden, due to glitter of that embryo. And the whitishness of snow Parvata and the reeds turned into golden ābhā. Héy Rāghava, thus gold is renowned by the name 'jāta rūpa..' since then, héy puruṣavyāghra, for it equals the Agni-Deva in its glow. And the grass, trees, climbers, and shrubs. All became golden.

Then, when a putra is born from the embryo released by Gangā, Indra along with the assemblage of Wind-god, arranged the Krittika stars for the purpose of giving milk. They the Krittika-stars on making a best accord among themselves, that 'this one will be the putra of ours too.' and thus on deciding themselves. they gave milk to the just born boy. Then all the Devatā said that, 'this putra shall be called as Kārtikeya, for Krittika-stars suckled this boy. And his renown shall thrive in all the 3 lokas, undoubtedly. The Krittika-stars on hearing the words of Devatā agreeing to let the boy become the putra of those stars, to give a wash to that excellently subham boy who is radiant lie Agni, who slid down from the secretion of the womb of Gangā, and they gave him a bath to cleanse the secretions of parturition. And Devatā called that mahābāho and fire-similar Kārtikeya, as 'Skanda.' for he slid down from the secretions of a womb, héy Kākutstha. Then an un-excelling milk came forth instantly from the Krittika-stars, and from the 6 Krittika-stars, the boy on becoming six-faced suckled their breast-born milk.

On sipping the milk for one divam, though of delicate body [he became an adolescent boy in only one day and] he triumphed over the army troops of Rākṣasā later to his nomination as Celestial Army Chief, by his own vigour. As the Chief of Celestial Army troops, that great-radiant one is anointed by all the Gandharvā, coming together keeping the Agni-Deva afore. This legend of Gangā is vividly made known by me to you Héy Rāma, and also about the emergence of Kumara, namely Skanda. the Divine and Meritorious legends. He who is a devotee of Kartikeyā, héy Kākutstha, on this humanly earth, he thrives with longevity, also with sons, grandsons in his mortal life. And on its conclusion he becomes identical with Skanda, on his journeying to Skanda's abode.

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 38

On describing that legend of Skanda / Kārtikeya, Viśvāmitra, the descendent of Kaushika, spoke this, again with his melodious words to Rāma, the descendent of Kākutstha. "Once there was a Rājā of Ayodhyā, héy vīra Rāma, who is vīra and dharmātmā, namely Sāgara. but he was without offspring. As such he also longed for offspring. The daughter of Rājā of Vidarbha, by name named as Keshini, was the jyeṣṭha bhāryā of Sāgara, and she was dharma-minded, and an advocate of satyam. The daughter of Ariṣṭanemi, who is also the sister of Garuḍa, [the Divine-Eagle- vehicle of of Viṣṇu,] is the second bhāryā of Sāgara, who is known as Sumati. "That Mahārājā Sāgara along with his 2 wives, on reaching the Himavata Parvata, he practised Tapaḥ, on a Parvata called Brugu-parsrāvaṇa. "Then, after the lapse of a 100 years of practising Tapaḥ and worshiping, the Ṛṣi Bhṛgu who is a prominent one among the patrons of satyam, bestowed a vara to Sāgara." 'Héy Merited one, you will achieve very admirable progeny. And Héy best man, you even acquire an unparalleled renown in the loka. One bhāryā of yours mothers a son, who enriches your kula. And the other, mothers 60 1000 sons." Said Ṛṣi Bhrigu.

On that saying of Ṛṣi Bhrigu thus, the daughters of Rājā [of Vidarbha and Aristanemi,] became regardful of that mahātmā Ṛṣi and spoke very cheerfully, adjoining the planes of their palms, in supplication. 'Which of us bear one son, héy Brāhmaṇa, which of us begets numerous sons. we two wish to listen about that, héy Brāhmaṇa. let your word betide satyam.' Thus, the Rāṇī of Sāgara spoke to the Ṛṣi. On listening their words the Ṛṣi Bhrigu spoke in a mahāyaśaḥ tone, "Let your freewill be brought to bear this issue and choose among yourselves.' Said Ṛṣi Bhrigu." 'Either, one kula-enriching putra in one, or, numerous ones with great enthusiasm and prominence, in the other. who desires to have which vara.' Thus, the Ṛṣi gave them the option. "On listening the words of the Ṛṣi, héy delight of Raghu's kula, Keshini, in the presence of Rājā Sāgara, chosen one son, that enriches the kula. Sumati, the sister of mighty-winged Garuḍa, chosen 60 1000 sons of great enthusiasm and reputation. On performing parikramā to the Ṛṣi Bhrigu, also reverencing him head-bent, héy Raghu's scion, the Rājā Sāgara proceeded to his own nagara along with wives.

"Then, after a lapse of some kāla the elder bhāryā Keshini gave birth to the putra of Sāgara, who is Asamanja, [of ill-] repute. But Sumati, héy puruṣavyāghra, verily delivered a neonate [who is round and long like a single] gourd. but on breaking it up, 60 1000 sons are issued forth from that cucumber. The childminders brought those siblings up well, in vessels filled with ghee [clarified butter,] and after a protracted kāla all of them attained youthfulness. After a long time, those 60 1000 sons of Rājā Sāgara thus became youthful with their hand-some aspects. The elder putra of the Rājā Sāgara, namely Asamanja, Héy naraśreṣṭha Rāma, on grabbing the children, he was hurling into the waters of Sarayu Nadi. He, the elder putra of Sāgara, namely, Asamanja, always used to hurl the children in the nadī waters of Sarayu, and looked attentively and laughingly at them while they were immersing. this way, he with his sinister activity, became a torturer of goodmen.

Thus, his father Rājā Sāgara expatriated Asamanja for his undesirable activities towards citizens. but that Asamanja had a vīra putra by name Anshuman. That Anshuman was an acceptable one for all the people as he talks dearly with all the people. Then, after a long time, a great thought chanced to Sāgara. "Héy Rāma, Best of manuṣya-s, then he that Veda-knowing Rājā Sāgara, inclined to perform Yajña took the decision accordingly, and then with the assemblages of his religious-guru, he proceeded to perform the proceedings of Yajña.

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 39

On listening to the words of Viśvāmitra highly rejoiced is Rāma, of Raghu's kula, at the end of the episode, spoke to Ṛṣi, who is fire-like in his glow. "I am interested to listen this episode exhaustively, héy Brāhmaṇa, as to how my ancestor Sāgara conducted the Yajña." Said Rāma to the Ṛṣi. On listening the words of Rāma, which are inclusive of his enthusiasm, Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra spoke to that descendent of Kākutstha, as if smilingly. "Let this be listened vividly, héy Rāma, about the Mahātmanā Sāgara's Yajña. the śvaśura of Prabhu Sankara is well-known by the name of Himavan. And Himavan setting eyes on Vindhyā Parvata stands loftily and they stare at each other. in between those two, namely Himavatas and Vindhya ranges, Héy naraśreṣṭha Rāma, that Yajña came to pass.

That very area, héy Rāma, the puruṣavyāghra, is much renowned for the performances of Vedic- yajña. And in the course of the performance, héy Kākutstha, of that Sāgara's aśvamedha-yajña, Amshuman, Sāgara's grandson, and the putra of exiled Asamanja who is a great ratha-rider with an unfaltering bow. "Amshuman managed abiding by his pitāmahaḥ Sāgara's convictions followed the course of the ritual-horse. And at an śubha kāla, on the day of ukthyam, the day for a sacred function, Indra stole the ritual horse of that ritual's chief, namely Sāgara. On assuming a Rākṣasaic rūpa Indra snatched away that ritual-horse, and Héy Rāma, when that ritual-horse of that Mahātmanā Sāgara being stolen thus. "All the congregations of the Ritviks, the religious-guru, then spoke to the chief propitiator, Sāgara, 'at this śubha kāla the ritual horse is eagerly taken away.

" 'Kill him who stolen the horse, héy Sāgara, the descendent of Kākutstha, and that horse shall also be bringed, lest all this Yajña becomes hindered and for all of us it is aśubha. Héy Rājā that shall be done thus and let the Yajña be completed unobstructedly.' Thus, the Ritviks spoke to the Rājā and he that Rājā Sāgara, on hearing the words of religious-guru, in that religious-council, that Rājā Sāgara, to his 60 1000 sons spoke this much. 'Héy best ones among manuṣya-s, for me it is unbelievable that Rākṣasā can approach this ritual place. 'For this very mahāyaśaḥ Yajña is being performed duly sanctified by the Vedic-mantra by the holy-sanctifiers. therefore, be gone, my sons, to quest after the path of horse-thief, be safe, you all. 'Héy sons, let all of the earth encompassed by the samudras be followed up, for vast is the earth's surface you allocate among yourselves the searching area, each to each square yojana area and advance.

" 'Until the appearance of the horse you search on the surface, and if it is not found on the plane of earth. from then on you dig over the earth and search the subterranean planes even. search him out, that horse-stealer. 'For I am under vow of ritual, I along with my grandson, namely Amsuman, and with my religious-guru, I stay here only. till the horse appears. safe be to you all. proceed for searching.' Thus Sāgara instructed to his sixty-sahasra sons and stayed back at the ritual place. "They, héy Rāma, those mahābala rāja-putra are all cheerful at hṛdaya, and proceeded onto earth's surface, animated by their father's words, in their preliminary round of their search. "On proceeding thus on earth in its entirety those mahābala ones did not find that horse, then as said by their father, they mapped the earth as one square yojana area for each of them, and each and every area on the surface of earth is hollowed out by those tigerly-men, who have maṇi-similar touch for their arms [or, nakha.]

"With spears that are vajra-similar and even with ploughs that are very gruelling, when the earth is being dug, Vasudhā bewailed, héy Rāma, of Raghu's kula. Then on being killed, the serpents, asura-s, Rākṣasā, and other bhūta living underneath the earth's surface, suffering the hollowing, and from them, héy Rāma, emerged is an unbearable rumpus that is unstoppable. "Héy Rāma of Raghu's kula, thus 60 1000 square yojana of the earth is dug over, as though to make the earth's outermost plane as the unsurpassed Rasātala, the sixth subterranean, nethermost plane. Héy Rāma, the kingly tiger, the sons of Sāgara, thus digging over the Jambu Island, which is verily congested with Parvata, and thus they essayed in all places. "Then all the Devatā, with Gandharvā, asura-s, and reptiles who are distraught at hṛdaya about their extinction due to the nethermost digging of the earth, neared the Pitāmahaḥ, Brahmā. They, on seeking the grace of Brahmā. The mahātmanaḥ, then with their distressed faces spoke this sentence with great bhaya to Pitāmahaḥ. "Bhagavan, the sons of Sāgara are digging over all the earth, thus, many a mahātmanaḥ that move in waters and those that live in rasātala, are being killed. 'This one is the destroyer of our ritual. By him alone our aśva is carried off.' thinking thus and suspecting everyone, they, the sons of Sāgara are torturing all bhūta.' Thus all the Devatā appealed to Brahmā." So said Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra to Rāma and others.

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 40

"On hearing the words of Devatā, the esteemed Pitāmahaḥ Brahmā spoke to them, who are very highly scared, and bewildered by the might of Sāgara's sons for they are effectuating the end of all bhūta." Viśvāmitra thus continued his narration." 'To whom this Vasudhā belongs in all her entirety, he is that prescient Vāsudeva, and she is also the patnī of that Mādhava, and that Viṣṇu eternally props up Vasudhā. Hence, that reverential Viṣṇu donning the rūpa of Ṛṣi Kapila will burn down the sons of Mahārāja Sāgara to ashes in a Agni of fury. 'Even the complete cleavage of the earth, and the complete ruination of Sāgara's sons as well, are envisaged by the providentially farsighted ancients." So said Brahmā to Devatā. "When the sons of Sāgara are digging the earth then there emerged an unbearable noise similar to the crashing of a thunder. Then on hollowing the entire earth, and on making trips around her without finding the horse, all of the sons of Sāgara have come together and on going to their father they spoke these words to him. Entire earth is trekked and vīryavān bhūta like Devatā, Rākṣasā, monsters, evil-spirits, duṣṭātmans, serpents, naga-s are also eliminated, but we have not seen the ritual-horse or its stealer. What we have to do next. Let a thought be given in this matter. Let safeness betide you.' So said those rāja-putra to their father Sāgara.

"On hearing that sentence of his sons, héy Rāma, descendent of Raghu, that exalted Rājā Sāgara infuriately spoke these words." 'Let the earth be dug further, may safety be with you, and verily splitting open the surface of the earth you catch hold of the thief of the horse, and on achieving your purpose you may return to me.' In this way Sāgara ordered his sons. "On catching up the words of their father, the Mahātmanā Sāgara, his 60 1000 sons rushed towards the surface of the rasā tala, the netherloka. "While digging the earth there they saw a Parvata similar easterly elephant named Virūpāksha, which is bearing the eastern side of earth's surface on its head. "Héy Rāma, the Rāghava, that great easterly elephant Virūpāksha is bearing the entire eastern earth along with its Parvata and vana-s on its head. "They circumambulated the great elephant in supplication, oh Rāma, and on worshipping that elephant which is the protector of easterly direction they proceeded to netherloka duly splitting the earth. After splitting the eastern direction then they split opened the southern direction, and even in southern direction they saw an elephant that is similar to a very mahāgiri, and that is sustaining southerly side of earth on its head, and on seeing that mammoth elephant of venerable character, namely Mahapadma, they went into an inordinate astonishment. On circumabulating that elephant Mahāpada in supplication, they the 60 1000 sons of Mahātmanā Sāgara scooped out the westerly direction. Even in the westerly direction those mahābala sons of Sāgara saw an infinite and Parvata similar elephant of western direction, called Sumanasa.

"Circumabulating that elephant namely Sumanasa in western side, and even on asking about its well-being, then they reached the northern direction duly digging the earth. "In the northern direction, héy Rāma, they saw Bhadra, a snow-white elephant with an śubha body bearing northern side of this earth. On touching that elephant reverently and also pradakṣiṇam it, those 60000s sons of Sāgara further burrowed to the surface of the earth. The sons of Sāgara have then gone to the śubha northeast direction, īshāna digbhāga, Śiva sthāna, and all those sons of Sāgara have tunnelled the earth rancorously. The eyes of the rāja-putra are agitated in fury in construing the Ṛṣi Kapila as the stealer of ritual-horse, and they furiously dashed towards him wielding crowbars, ploughs, and various trees and boulders, and shouting at him, 'stay, stay.' "You the malicious one, you have indeed stolen our ritual-horse, and in fact, you should know that we who arrived here are the sons of Sāgara.' Thus Sāgara's sons shouted at Ṛṣi Kapila. "On hearing their words, héy Rāma, the descendant of Raghu, then Ṛṣi Kapila is beset with high wrath, and he boomed a 'humkāra' at them. "Héy Kākutstha, then that Mahātmanā Ṛṣi Kapila, rather Viṣṇu with unimaginable power, has rendered all of those sons of Sāgara as heaps of ashes by dharma of his 'humkāra'; Thus Ṛṣi Viśvāmitra is narrating the legend of Sāgara to Rāma and others.

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 41

"On observing that his sons have gone long time back, héy Rāma, Rājā Sāgara spoke to his grandson, who is tejasvī with his tejasvī." Thus Viśvāmitra continued his narration about Sāgara." 'You are vīra and completed your education in warfare, and you are equal to your Pitāmahaḥs in magnificence, thus you search the course of your paternal uncles, also the one by whom the horse is stolen.' Thus Rājā Sāgara spoke to his grandson Amshuman." 'The bhūta in netherlokas of earth are intrepid and mighty, and to retaliate them, should they attack you, take the sword along with the bow. You salute that are worthy to be saluted, kill the causers of obstructions, and on achieving your purpose you return to me and by you let my Yajña be crossed over to the other shore of mortality'. "Thus, the mahātmā Sāgara said to Amshuman thoroughly, he proceeded on taking bow and a sword also, as he is a quick-footed vīra. Motivated by the Rājā Sāgara, Amshuman attained the way inside the earth, Héy naraśreṣṭha Rāma. that was hollowed out by his Mahātmanā paternal-uncles.

"The Devatā, monsters, Rākṣasā, imps, gṛdhras and serpents are venerating the directional elephant of that direction of earth, and that tejasvī Amshuman saw it. He circled the elephant [in supplication,] and asking for its well-being, and he enquired in detail about his paternal-uncles and even about the robber of the horse also. "But that directional elephant of great percept on hearing that enquiry of Amshuman, replied, 'Héy Amshuman, putra of Asamanja, achieving your mission you will proceed expeditiously along with the horse. "On hearing that word of that directional elephant, he commenced to ask the other directional Hasti, that are abiding in other directions of earth, the same enquiry which he made with the first, according to their positioning and according to the established procedure.

"By all of the Hasti that safeguard the directions, sentence-knowers and sentence-experts, he that Amshuman is adored and motivated in saying that he will go from there even with the horse. On hearing the words of all the directional-Hasti, he that quick-footed vīra Amshuman, gone to the place where his paternal-uncles, sons of Sāgara, were rendered to a mound of ashes. But he, upon whom the control of śoka has come across for not seeing his paternal-uncles, that putra of Asamanja wept, highly agonised at the destruction of them, his paternal-uncles and lamented extremely. "There he also saw the Yajña horse that is grazing nearby, that puruṣavyāghra is overwhelmed by agony and śoka. "He wanted to perform obsequial water-oblations to the sons of Rājā Sāgara, but requiring water he the mahātejā Amshuman searched for water, but could not even see a fount of water. Spanning his expert glances, héy Rāma, then he saw the pakṣirāja, namely Garuḍa [Eagle-vehicle of Viṣṇu,] who is the maternal uncle of his father and his paternal-uncles, and the one with rapid-wings and who is similar to gust in flight.

"That mahābala putra of Vinata, Garuḍa, also spoke this word to Amshuman, 'do not bemoan, héy puruṣavyāghra, this eradication of your paternal-uncles is worthwhile to the lokas. That inestimable Kapila burnt down those mahābala paternal-uncles of yours, héy observant Amshuman, as such it is verily inapt of you to offer the mundane obsequial water-oblations to them. Gangā is the elder daughter of Himavanta, héy man, the best, give water-oblation to the departed paternal-uncles of yours in the waters of Gangā, héy mahābāho one." 'Gangā the loka-purifier will drift them, the sons of Sāgara, now burnt down to ashes to svargas. And by that Gangā, on who is adored by all lokas, drenching this ash in her, she can lead these sixty-sahasra sons of Sāgara to the nabhaḥ-tala.

" 'Héy great fortunate and best one among me, proceed along with the horse. Héy brave one, it will be apt of you to carry out the Yajña of your pitāmahaḥ.' Thus Garuḍa said to Amshuman. "On hearing the words of that great-winged gṛdhra, Garuḍa, he that highly vīra Amsuman of high distinction swiftly came again to the ritual place, taking the horse. Then on reaching the Rājā Sāgara, who is sanctified for he is under the vow of ritual, héy Rāma, and described what has betided and the words of Garuḍa, as well. "On hearing those unendurable words from Amshuman, the Rājā then on carrying through the Vedic- ritual, scripturally and procedurally completed the Yajña. On completing the Yajña Rājā Sāgara arrived at his capital. but that Rājā could not arrive at a decision about the arrival of Gangā onto this earth. "Not getting at any resolve in his longest kāla, that Māhārājā Sāgara on ruling Rājya for thirty-sahasra years, voyaged to svarga." Thus Viśvāmitra continued his narration about the ancestors of Rāma.

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 42

"On passing away of Rājā Sāgara by the irrefutable dharma of the kāla, the native subjects of that Rājya sought the honourable Amshuman as their Rājā.." Thus Viśvāmitra continued narration about the predecessors of Rāma. "He that Amshuman turned out to be a very Mahārājā Héy Rāma of Raghu's kula, and his son, renowned as Dilīpa, became still greater. Assigning the Rājya to Dilīpa, héy Rāma of Raghu's kula, he that Amshuman undertook very stern Tapaḥ on a priya peak of Himavatas desiring Gangā nadī's flow down from svarga. That Rājā of very great renown, namely Amshuman, on his going into the Tapasvi-woods and on practising Tapa for thirty-two 1000 years and on earning the wealth of Tapaḥ, he achieved svarga. "That very mahātejā Dilīpa on hearing the destruction of his pitāmahaḥs, the 60 1000 sons of Sāgara at the hand of Kapila, he could not reach at any decision as his mind was thrashed by agony. Thus, that Dilīpa became thoughtful as to how to alight Gangā nadī onto earth from svarga, and as to how water-oblations are to be offered for them, the sons of Sāgara and grandparents of Dilīpa, and as to how to cross them over this mortal loka, as they lay in the shape of ash mounds.

"To him who always was thinking Dharmaly about the alight of Gangā onto earth, and to that self-mortified Dilīpa, a most-dharmajña putra was born who by his name is Bhagīratha. By the performance of numerous Yajñas his great glow spread over in all quarters, and he ruled the Rājya for thirty 1000 years to the delight of each of his subjects, but could not find a way to bring Gangā. "Héy Rāma, the puruṣavyāghra, that Rājā Dilīpa by not attaining any choice towards the uplifting the souls of his grandparents to svarga by bringing Gangā to earth, and by that reason he took to illness and he attained the ultimate dharma of kāla, namely the mṛtyu. "That Rājā Dilīpa went to the abode of Indra, namely the svarga, only by the self-acquired merits of karma, after anointing his putra Bhagīratha in the Rājya. That Bhagīratha is Rājaṛṣi and self-righteous one, but he is without offspring. And he, cherishing children for he is without offspring, on delegating that Rājya to the custody of his mantri-s, that Rājā Bhagīratha, who was interested in the alighting of Gangā nadī, firmed up himself in sustained Tapaḥ on Gokarna Parvata, in Himavatas. Upraising his hands and standing amid five-fires, on a monthly sustenance and with his sense conquered, he firmed up for an intense Tapaḥ for 1000s of years.

"Héy mahābāho Rāma, 1000s of years elapsed during that Mahātmanā Rājā's Tapaḥ and then Deva Brahmā, the svāmi and master of all bhūta, is well pleased with his Tapaḥ. Then Brahma along with the assemblages of Devatā came to that Mahātmanā Bhagīratha, who is in tapaḥ and then spoke to him." 'Héy Mahārājā Bhagīratha, I am verily delighted with you, and Héy Narādhipa, and with the perfectly conducted tapaḥ, hence Héy truly committed one, you may beseech a vara. "Then that mahātejā and mahābāho Rājā Bhagīratha abiding by adjoining his palms together in supplication, spoke to Him, the Pitāmahaḥ of all lokas." 'Héy Deva, if my Tapaḥ is gladdening, and if there be any fruition to that Tapaḥ of mine. All the sons of Sāgara will get water through me as their oblational waters. The ashes of those mahātmās, when drenched with the waters of Gangā, all of those great-pitāmahaḥs of mine, will depart to svarga, eternally. Héy Deva, I indeed pray for offspring in our Ikṣvāku kula. let not our kula dwindle as I am issueless, héy Deva, let this be the other vara.

"Thus that way addressed by the Rājā the Pitāmahaḥ of all the lokas spoke in reply with an śubha tongue, sweetly and sweet wordily." 'This aspiration of yours is sublime, héy Bhagīratha, the mahārathaḥ. so be it. you be safe, héy the furtherer of Ikṣvāku kula. This is the snow-broth Gangā, the elder daughter of Himavanta, [the Himavata,] and to sustain her force in the course of her alighting onto earth, Prabhu Śiva is to be designated there on earth to receive her. for the earth cannot endure the downfall of Gangā and to sustain Gangā, héy Rājā I do not see none other than the Trident-wielder, Prabhu Śiva." Thus Brahmā spoke to Bhagīratha. "Thus speaking to the Rājā Bhagīratha and with Gangā also, that Creator of lokas, Brahmā. left for svarga along with all Devatā and the groups of Maruta-gaNam." Thus Viśvāmitra continued narration about the arrival of Gangā nadī to earth.

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 43

"When Brahmā. the Deva of Devatā, left from there he that Bhagīratha stood on the tip of his big-toe for one saṃvatsara praying for the mercy of Prabhu Śiva, while that tip of his big-toe pressurised the earth. " Thus Viśvāmitra continued his narration about Bhagīratha's effort to bring Gangā to earth. "On completion of one year, he who is venerated by all lokas and UmaPati/Pashupati i.e. Śiva, revealed Himself to the Rājā and spoke this to the Rājā'Héy best one among humans, I am delighted of you and your unwavering effort, and I fulfil your cherish. I will sustain the Parvata Rājā Himavanta's daughter Gangā by my head. "Then Gangā, the elder daughter of Himavanta, who is reverenced by all lokas, on assuming a supremely incredible shape and with an insupportable rapidity. She plunged onto the pious pate of Śiva and Héy Rāma, she that extremely unendurable Devi Gangā also speculated how she might take Śiva with her. 'I will enter pātāla verily drifting Śiva by my stream.' Gangā thought so, but Śiva on discerning her egotism he is infuriated.

"Then that Three-eyed Śiva thought to pent her up in his head-hair tufts, and she, that venerated Gangā, on her descent onto the venerable head of Śiva is restrained. thus Śiva confined her, that Himavata Gangā, in the cavities of the curls of his hair-tufts. yet she sat on endeavouring in every way to go to earth, but in vain. She did not gain access to any outlet at any edge of those coils of hair-tufts and that Devi Gangā whirled round and round in the coils of tufts only for a number of years. "On not seeing Gangā coming out from Śiva's head, Bhagīratha again firmed up in a marvellous tapaḥ, and Héy Rāma, of Raghu's kula, again Śiva also became very much delighted with that tapaḥ. Śiva then released Gangā towards Bindu Lake in Himavatas, and when she is thus being released into Bindu Lake, emerged are 7 streams out of Bindu Lake. "Three Gangā-s called Hlādini, Pāvani also thus Nalini are the 3 streams of Gangā from Bindu Lake, that have gone eastward with their śubha and holy waters. Also thus Sucakshu, Sītā, and Sindhu, these 3 excellent nadī with their holy waters streamed to the westward direction

"Among them the seventh Gangā followed the path of Bhagīratha' ratha, and even that Rājarṣi Bhagīratha who is sitting on his divine ratha. That Mahātejā Bhagīratha moved in front and Gangā followed him. thus Gangā came from svargas onto Shankara's head and from there onto the earth. "There the water flowed with a tumultuous sound ahead of it, then shoals of fish and a number of tortoises and porpoises are also seen falling. With them that are already fallen and still falling fishes and other aquatic bhūta, along with the stream of Gangā onto earth, the earth verily shone forth and then the assemblages of Devatā, Ṛṣis, Gandharvā, Yakṣa-s, siddha-s. "Then they have curiously seen from svargas the swoop of Gangā from svarga to earth, remaining in their vimānas that are like cities in shape and size, and on horsebacks and elephant-rides that are prancing about, and then. The Devatā standing staggeringly there in antarikṣa have seen the excellent plunge of Gangā, the highest marvel in all the lokas. The groups of Devatā of unlimited energy approaching speedily gathered in their assemblages and with the glitter of their ornaments.

"The cloud-clear sky shone forth as if a 100 Surya are shining out there. And with the scores of porpoises, serpents and twitching fishes. The sky became as though bescattered with the flashes of lightning and with the whitish froth generated by the splashes of streams of Gangā and being scattered about innumerably. And the skies is as if spread over by śarada silver-clouds with well-flying swans and with other whitish frillery. "Gangā in her nadīing she nadīed somewhere with great rapidity and elsewhere sinuously, and somewhere else straightly. somewhere her nadīing is falling and elsewhere surging and somewhere else it is slowing and slowing. And elsewhere water is splashed headlong with water alone, and then on going upwardly again falls on earth again when splashed by up-surging streams. And that which is alighted onto the head of Shankara, in turn alighted onto earth. And then glistening is that pellucid and immaculate water of Gangā. At that place the assemblages of Ṛṣis, Gandharvā, and those that are residents on the surface of earth. 'The water fell from the head of Bhava, another name for Śiva, is a sanctifier.' asserting thus they touched that water. And those that are fallen down from skies by any malediction onto the surface of earth. They on taking anointment there in the rūpa of dip-bathing, became free from their blemishes. And when their pāpa are washed away by that water, which is having sanctity, then. They again gone up to the skies having obtained their own nabhaḥ-talas. And the people are blissful by that sanctifying water and they blissfully took dip-baths in it. "On taking dip-baths in Gangā they the people remained totally removed of their strains.

"Then Bhagīratha, the RājaṚṣi who is sitting on his divine ratha, that great-rājā set out in the van while Gangā moved behind him and all the assemblages of Rākṣasā, monsters, and Rākṣasā followed them. Also Gandharvā, Yakṣa-s, kinnara-s, great Uragā, serpents, also Apsarā-s, héy Rāma, followed Bhagīratha's ratha and Gangā. Also those bhūta that move in waters moved after Gangā delightfully and to where the ratha of Bhagīratha proceeded to there that mahāyaśaḥ Gangā has coursed after. "That prominent Gangā nadī among all nadī and a complete obliterator of pāpa proceeded thus, then while Ṛṣi Jahnu was actually performing a Yajña, a Ṛṣi with marvellous feats. Gangā nadī flowed over the ritual field of that mahātmanaḥ Jahnu, and Héy Rāghava, that Ṛṣi Jahnu is angered on knowing the proudness of Gangā. Ṛṣi Jahnu drank off that water of Gangā entirely, then highly astounded are the Devatā with Gandharvā and Ṛṣi-s at that extremely marvellous feat of Ṛṣi Jahnu. "Then that Mahātmanā Ṛṣi Jahnu is worshipped by Devatā and Ṛṣis, and they even ascribed the daughterhood of Gangā to that Mahātmanā Ṛṣi Jahnu. Then that great-radiant Ṛṣi Jahnu is delighted and that great-radiant-emitting Prabhu (Jahnu) released Gangā from both of his ears, and from then, on Gangā becoming the daughter of Jahnu she is also renowned as Jāhnavī. "Gangā again proceeded following the ratha of Bhagīratha, and then she, the very best one among nadī, even reached the samudra well. She entered the rasātala, after merging with samudra, to accomplish Bhagīratha's exploit in bringing Gangā to earth, and even Rājaṛṣi Bhagīratha on ushering Gangā with his wondrous endeavour to rasātala. "He that Bhagīratha has seen his grandparents rendered to ashes, and became broken-hearted, and then Gangā submerged that mound of ashes by which cleansed are the pāpa of the sons of Sāgara, and they reached svarga thus, héy Rāma, the best of Raghu's kula."

Vālmiki Rāmāyaṇa - Bāla Kānda - Sarga 44

"He, the Rājā Bhagīratha on going to the samudra the dredged up place by Sāgara's sons, followed by Gangā, entered the subterranean of earth, where the sons of Sāgara are rendered to ashes." Thus Viśvāmitra continued his narration about the Plunge of Gangā. "Héy Rāma, when Gangā's waters inundated the ashes, then the Prabhu of all lokas, Brahmā spoke this to the Rājā Bhagīratha." 'Héy puruṣavyāghra Bhagīratha, on crossing over the samudra of mortality the 60,000s sons of mahātmā Sāgara, transited to svarga like Devatā. As long as the oceanic waters abides on earth, héy Rājā so long the sons of Sāgara abideth in svarga as Devatā. this Gangā will become your jyeṣṭha daughter and hereafter she will remain renowned in the loka with the name associated with your deed of bringing her onto earth.

" 'Henceforth Gangā will be renowned as 'Divine Gangā,' 'Bhāgīrathi,' and as 'Tri-patha-ga,' and since this nadī is sanctifying 3 lokas viz., svarga, bhū, pātāla loka-s heaven, earth and netherloka. therefore it will be memorized as 'Tri-patha-ga.' " Héy svāmi of people, offer water-oblations to all of your Pitāmahaḥs in there, in Gangā, and thus, héy Rājā you can cast aside your hierarchical pledge. Héy Rājā verily by your ancestor Sāgara, though highly renowned and the best among dharmātmā ones, by him this aspiration has not been achieved then, this way. Héy son, Bhagīratha, thus Amshuman also, who is unmatched in his glow in this loka and who was supplicant to lead forth Gangā, he also could not cast aside his vow. even by that merited Rājaṛṣi Dilīpa, whose glow is similar to mahāṛṣis, also thus who is equal to me by his tapaḥ, and who is abided by the observances of Kṣatriya-s, the ruling class. even for that fortunate and most tejasvī father of yours, Dilīpa, again it was impossible to lead forth Gangā, héy impeccable Bhagīratha, even though he was supplicating to Gangā.

" 'That pledge is verily fulfilled by you, héy the puruṣttamaḥ, and you have achieved excellence and a much adorable renown in the loka. that Gangā avataraNa, 'The Plunge of Gangā' is perfected by you, and by this you acquired a genuine basis for dharma [in this loka, and thereby a base for yourself in my Brahmāloka, Abode of Brahmā.] " 'Héy phenomenal one, you deluge yourself in the eternally choicest holy waters of Gangā and thus be cleansed, and Héy persona grata, let your merit be fructified thus." 'To all of your Pitāmahaḥs you perform the ritual of water-oblations and here I go to my own sphere and Héy Rājā you be safe and be gone to your own loka.' Thus Brahmā said to Bhagīratha. "Thus on saying that way, that Deva of Devatā and the Pitāmahaḥ for all the lokas, Brahmā of great-renown, went away as he came, to the nabhaḥ-talas. Even the Rājaṛṣi and greatly renowned Bhagīratha, on performing water-oblations that endow superior realms to the souls of sons and grandsons of Sāgara, as per precedency and as per the rationale of śāstra. on offering water-oblations to his other pitṝn that Rājā is cleansed and sanctified then only he re-entered his own nagara and when his purpose is overachieved, that outstanding man, Bhagīratha, verily ruled his Rājya well.

"On regaining him as their Rājā the subjects of the Rājya are overjoyed, and Héy Rāghava, they are relieved of their śoka, verily gone is their febrility and they became overabundant with means [and the yields, at the grace of Gangā.] "Héy Rāma, this way I described to you about 'The Plunge of Gangā' in detail, thus you be blest and be safe. As the vesperal kāla is elapsing, [no more questions from you for now, and let us meditate on Gayatri. but listen to the phala of listening the legend of Gangā Avataraṇa, 'The Plunge of Gangā.'] "The listening of this legend endows artha, fame, longevity, sons and even svarga and he who intones this among Brāhmaṇa-s, Kṣatriya-s and also among others. His pitṝn rejoice and his Devatā glory in, and this legend, 'The Plunge of Gangā' is an accorder of longevity, for it is śubha. Héy Kākutstha, whoever hears this his wishes are achieved, all his pāpa are obliterated and enhanced are his reputation and longevity.