by Valmiki
‘Śiva saw that the gods were terribly disappointed but he prepared to depart for the north. He settled on a peak named Himāvatprabhava with the goddess and they continued their austerities there.
‘I have told you the story of Umā in great detail, Rāma. Listen now, along with Lakṣmaṇa, to the story of Gangā.
‘While Śiva was absorbed in his mighty penance, the gods and ṛṣis needed a commander for their army. Led by Agni, they went to Brahmā. They bowed to him and said, “The god you appointed long ago as the commander of our forces is practising austerities with the goddess. You know what the right course of action is. Act for the welfare of the worlds—you are our only refuge!”
‘Brahmā, the grandfather of the universe, reassured the gods with sweet words. “The goddess’ curse, that your wives shall be barren, cannot be repudiated. It will hold true in all circumstances. But Agni shall create a son on the celestial Gangā and he, a scorcher of his foes, shall be the military commander of the gods. Gangā will treat him like her own son and Umā will accept this solution.” The gods were pleased that their mission had been accomplished and they bowed to Brahmā and left.
‘The gods then went to Mount Kailāsa, the repository of all metals, and urged Agni to produce a son. ‘Eater of oblations, consider what must be done for the benefit of the gods. Release your semen into Gangā!’ Agni agreed and so the gods went to Gangā. ‘Goddess, do what is dear to the gods and accept this seed into your womb!’
‘Gangā assumed the form of a divinely beautiful woman. Agni spilled his seed all over her the moment he saw her. She was drenched with Agni’s semen, even her veins seemed filled with it. Gangā cried out to Agni, who was the priest of the gods, ‘I cannot bear the intensity of your ejaculation! My body burns like a fire and my mind is completely confused!’
Agni told her to place the foetus at the foot of the Himālayas. Gangā released the effulgent foetus that glowed with the splendour of the finest gold. As it was discharged, it covered the earth in pure, shining gold. Its acidity produced silver, copper and iron while its residue gave rise to zinc and lead. The earth received all these metals into herself but the place where the foetus had fallen glowed brightest of all. The mountains and the forests turned into an especially lustrous gold called jātarūpa.
‘Indra and the other gods gave the child thus born to the six Kṛttikās to nurse. They all produced milk for him as soon as he was born and decided among themselves that they would be his mothers together. The gods told them that the child would be called Kārtikeya and that he would be famous in the three worlds.
‘The Kṛttikās bathed the shining child and called him Skanda because he had slipped out of the womb. When the Kṛttikās’ breasts filled with milk, the child developed six faces so that he could suckle from all six at the same time. He grew into a young man in a single day by drinking their milk and was able to rout daitya armies with his own power. Led by Agni, the gods anointed him the commander-in-chief of their forces.
‘Now I have told you the story of Gangā in detail and about the birth of Kārtikeya, a tale that bestows great merit,’ said Viśvāmitra and went on to tell another tale.
‘Long ago, the king of Ayodhyā was a brave man named Sagara and his subjects loved him dearly. But he had no children. His senior wife, Keśinī, the princess of Vidarbhā, was truthful, righteous and virtuous. His second wife was Sumatī, the daughter of Ariṣṭanemi and her beauty was unmatched on earth.
‘The king went with his wives to a mountain named Bhṛguprasravaṇa in the Himālayas to perform austerities. After one hundred years had passed, the sage Bhṛgu, best among the truth seekers, was gratified and gave Sagara a boon. “You shall have many sons, and you shall achieve fame and renown on earth! Child, one of your queens shall give birth to sixty thousand sons and the other to a single son who shall continue your lineage.”
‘The queens were thrilled and bowed to the sage, “Which one of us will have the single son and which one many? Your words will come true and we would like to know.” Bhṛgu said that it was for them to decide. “One valiant and renowned son who will perpetuate the dynasty or many—which will you choose?” he asked. In the presence of the king, Keśinī chose to have the single son who would carry on the family. Sumatī, who was Garuḍa’s sister, chose to have the sixty thousand brave sons. The king honoured the sage and returned to his city with the queens.
‘Time passed and Keśinī gave birth to a son who was named Asamanja. And Sumatī gave birth to a pumpkin. Sixty thousand sons emerged from it when it was split open. Their wet nurses placed them in a pot of butter and cared for them there. After a number of years, they grew into young boys. It took a long time for Sagara’s sons to grow into handsome, brave, young adults.
Sagara’s oldest son, Asamanja, would grab the little boys and toss them into the waters of the Sarayū, laughing as he watched them flail around. He enjoyed harassing the citizens of Ayodhyā and so his father banished him from the city. But Asamanja’s son Anśuman was a brave and well-spoken young man and he was loved by everybody.
‘After a number of years, Sagara decided to perform a great sacrifice. He began the sacrifice without delay, along with priests who were learned in the Vedas.’
‘I want to hear more about this. How did my ancestors perform the sacrifice?’ asked Rāma.
‘Listen and I will tell you about the great-souled Sagara’s sacrifice,’ said Viśvāmitra smiling.
‘Himavat, the best of mountains, was Śiva’s father-in-law. There is a place on the earth where Himavat and the Vindhya mountain stand close, looking at each other. The area between them is uncommonly good for sacrifices and it was here that Sagara began his rituals. Anśuman, the mighty warrior and skilled charioteer, was appointed to protect the sacrificial horse as it wandered.
‘Indra assumed the form of a rākṣasa and stole the horse on the day it was to be sacrificed. The priests saw the horse being carried off and they ran to Sagara, crying, “Today is the day of the sacrifice and the horse has been stolen! Kill the horse thief! It will be very inauspicious if the sacrifice remains incomplete! You must do whatever is necessary to ensure that the ritual is not interrupted!”
‘The king addressed his sixty thousand sons in the midst of the huge assembly. “This sacrifice was being performed with all the mantras required to protect it. I cannot understand how the horse has been stolen. My sons, may good fortune attend you! Go at once and scour the entire earth, garlanded with oceans. Search every inch of the earth until you find the horse and the thief. I have been initiated into the sacrifice so I shall stay here with Anśuman and the priests until you return with the horse. May all go well with you!”
‘The valiant princes were filled with happiness and went off to search the earth as their father had instructed. They looked carefully over every inch of its surface and then they began to dig into the earth with their finger nails, which were as hard as diamonds.
‘The earth cried out in pain when she was pierced with those diamond-hard nails and cruel ploughs. Nāgas, asuras, rākṣasas and other earth creatures screamed as they were killed during the digging of the earth. The heroic princes dug the earth sixty thousand yojanās deep, as if they were trying to penetrate the underworld. They dug up the whole of Jambudvīpa with all its mountains in search of the horse.
‘Then the gods, gandharvas, asuras and uragas grew worried and went to see Brahmā. Greatly agitated, they bowed to him and said, “Blessed one, the entire earth is being torn up by Sagara’s sons. They are killing all kinds of creatures in their search for the horse thief!”
‘Brahmā calmed the gods who were terrified at this impending disaster. “The earth belongs to Viṣṇu. He upholds it in the form of the sage Kapila. He knows the eternal earth is being violated by the sons of Sagara. This destruction will not last much longer.” The gods were reassured and went back to their homes.
‘Meanwhile, Sagara’s sons continued to dig enthusiastically. When they had dug up
the entire earth, they went back to their father. They bowed to him and said, “We have searched every corner of earth and in the process, we have killed gods, dānavs, rākṣasas, piśācas and kinnaras. But we have found neither the horse nor the thief. We don’t know what to do next. Consider the matter and give us further instructions.”
‘Sagara was angry. “Go and dig up the earth again and find the thief. Do no return until your mission has been accomplished! May good fortune go with you!”
‘And so the sixty thousand sons of Sagara went back to dig up the earth. They dug and dug until they reached the underworld. As they were digging, they saw the mighty elephant Virūpākṣa, who bears the earth, with its mountains and forests, on his head. When Virūpākṣa grows weary and moves his head, there is an earthquake. Sagara’s sons honoured the elephant, the guardian of the quarter, and dug further into the underworld.
‘Since they had already dug up the east, they now dug up the south. In that quarter, they saw another great elephant, Mahāpadma, and they were filled with wonder for he was the size of a huge mountain. He, too, carried the earth on his head. They honoured him and continued to dig towards the west. There, they saw Saumanasa, the elephant guardian of that region. They bowed to him and asked after his welfare. They dug further towards the north where they saw the elephant Himapaṇḍara, supporting the earth on his massive body. They honoured him as they had done the others and they proceeded to dig into the underworld.
‘They dug in a north-easterly direction, tearing up the earth with fury. They came upon the eternal Viṣṇu in the form of the sage Kapila. The stolen horse grazed close by him. They thought he was the one who had destroyed their father’s sacrifice and they charged towards him in anger, shouting, “Stop! You are the wicked thief who stole our sacrificial horse! Know that the sons of Sagara have come to get you!” Kapila grew angry and snorted and all the sixty thousand sons of Sagara turned to ashes in an instant.
‘Sagara grew anxious about his sons’ long absence and said to Anśuman, his grandson, who shone with his own splendour, “You are brave and learned and share the lustre of your forefathers. Go and search for your uncles and the horse thief! Take your bow and arrows with you for you will have to fight the many powerful creatures who live in the earth. Honour those who are worthy of honour and kill those who obstruct the sacrifice. Accomplish your task so that my sacrifice can be completed.”
‘Given such clear instructions by the great-souled Sagara, Anśuman took his bow and set off with long strides. He followed the path dug by his mighty uncles into the earth. He saw the elephant guardian of the quarter being honoured by dānavs, rākṣasas, daityas, piśācas, birds and serpents. He bowed to the elephant and asked after his welfare and then he inquired about his uncles and the horse thief.
‘The elephant replied affectionately, “Anśuman, you will fulfil your promise and return with the horse in a short time!” Anśuman honoured the other elephant guardians appropriately in a similar fashion and asked the same questions of them. All the elephants, who were eloquent and knew the truth, said that he would return with the horse. Anśuman followed their instructions and went quickly to the spot where his uncles had been burned to ashes. He was filled with sorrow when he saw the heap of ashes and wept for those that had died. Overcome with grief, Anśuman saw the sacrificial horse grazing nearby.
‘He wanted to perform the funeral rites for the dead princes and looked around for a body of water. But he could see no water there. He scanned the area with his sharp eyes and suddenly noticed Garuḍa, the king of the birds, swift as the wind, who was the brother of his uncles’ mother.
‘“Do not grieve,” said Garuḍa. “The princes were killed for the welfare of the worlds. You cannot perform their funeral rites with terrestrial water because they were killed by the incomparable Kapila. You must immerse your uncles’ ashes in the Gangā. She is the older daughter of the mountain and the purifier of the worlds. Sagara’s sons will go to heaven when their ashes are scattered in the water of that river, so dear to all the worlds. Take the horse and help your grandfather complete his sacrifice.”
‘Anśuman took the horse and went away. He returned to Sagara and told him everything Garuḍa had said. Sagara completed the sacrifice but his mind dwelt on Garuḍa’s words. He went back to his city after the sacrifice was over but he could not think of a way to bring the Gangā to earth. Pondering the problem, he ruled for thirty thousand years and then went to heaven.
‘When Sagara died, Rāma, his subjects made Anśuman king. Anśuman was a good king and he had an equally great son known as Dilīpa. Anśuman handed over the kingdom to Dilīpa and went into the mountains to practice austerities. After thirty-two thousand years of penance, Anśuman grew rich in austerities and went to heaven.
‘Dilīpa knew about the death of his great-uncles and it filled him with sorrow, but he could think of no solution to the problem. He worried about how he could bring the Gangā to earth and perform the funeral rites which would help them to cross over into heaven. Even as he worried about how he could possibly fulfil his duty, a righteous son named Bhagīratha was born to him. Dilīpa performed many sacrifices and ruled for thirty thousand years. Unable to find a solution to the problem of his forefathers, he grew ill and finally died. He anointed Bhagīratha king and went to Indra’s realm by virtue of his own merit.
‘Bhagīratha was a royal sage and beloved of his people. Though he wished for a son, he had no children. So he went to Gokarṇa to practice austerities. He stood in a circle of five fires, his arms stretched above his head. He ate only once a month and controlled his senses. He stood in this awesome position for one thousand years and finally, Brahmā, the lord of all creatures, was pleased with him.
‘Brahmā came with the other gods to Bhagīratha who was still practising austerities and said to him, “Bhagīratha, lord of all peoples, I am pleased with you. Choose a boon!” Bhagīratha joined his palms in respect and bowed to Brahmā. “If I have pleased you, if my austerities have borne fruit, then let me complete the funeral rites for the sons of Sagara. My forefathers will go to heaven only if their ashes are scattered in the waters of the Gangā. As my second boon, I ask that I have an heir so that my family is not extinguished.”
‘“Bhagīratha, mighty warrior, your wishes are honourable. It shall be so! May good fortune attend you!” said Brahmā sweetly. “Gangā is the older daughter of the mountain. You must get Śiva to bear the impact of her descent from heaven. The earth will not be able to endure the force with which she will descend. I see no one other than Śiva, the trident bearer, capable of withstanding this.” Then Brahmā and all the gods returned to their realm.
‘After Brahmā had left, Bhagīratha stood on his big toe, pressing its tip into the earth, for one hundred years. Finally, Śiva spoke to him. “Best of men, I am pleased with you and will do what you ask. I will bear Gangā on my head.”
‘Then Gangā, honoured in all the worlds, took the form of a mighty river and descended from the sky with tremendous force onto Śiva’s auspicious head. The mighty Gangā thought, “I will carry Śiva into the underworld with the force of my streams!” But Śiva knew her thoughts and grew angry. He decided to make her disappear.
‘Gangā fell onto Śiva’s head and got entangled in his matted locks which seemed like the Himālayas. She could not find her way out and reach the ground. Confused by the abundance of Śiva’s locks, Gangā wandered around in his hair for a countless number of years. When Bhagīratha did not see Gangā on earth, he propitiated Śiva for another long period. Śiva was gratified and let Gangā fall into the Bindusaras lake.
‘The roaring waters made a tremendous noise as they fell from Śiva’s head onto the earth. Gods, ṛṣis, gandharvas and siddhas gathered to watch the descent of the Gangā from the sky. Shining with their own splendour, they came with their horses and elephants to attend this marvellous event in their chariots that were as large as cities. The effulgence of the gods and the brilliance of their j
ewels lit up the sky with the brightness of a hundred suns.
‘Flashing fish and restless water creatures were thrown up by the descending torrent and shot through the sky like lightning. Foam and spray filled the air like flocks of swans or autumn clouds. In some places, the waters flowed straight and swift, in others, they wound and meandered. They rose into the sky, they broadened as they flowed swiftly and quietly. The torrent crashed against rocks and against itself and rose before sinking to the earth. The waters that fell from Śiva’s hair were clear as crystal and sanctified everything they touched.
‘The ṛṣis and gandharvas and earth dwellers sprinkled the waters of the Gangā on their bodies and were purified by their touch. Even those who had been thrown out of heaven by a curse were made free of impurities when they poured the water onto themselves. Cleansed of their wicked deeds and restored to a state of purity, they went into the sky and re-entered heaven. Wherever the Gangā flowed, living beings sprinkled themselves with her waters and were restored to purity.
‘As Gangā fell, she split into seven streams. Hlādinī, Pavanī and Nalinī flowed east, Sucakṣu, Sītā and Sindhu flowed west and the seventh stream followed Bhagīratha’s chariot. The royal sage went forward in his chariot and the Gangā followed him. Gods and ṛṣis, all the daityas, dānavs, rākṣasas, gandharvas, yakṣas, kinnaras, apsarases and mighty uragas affectionately accompanied Gangā as she followed Bhagīratha’s chariot. Wherever the king went, Gangā, the destroyer of bad deeds and the greatest of all rivers, went, too.
‘Followed by the Gangā, Bhagīratha reached the ocean and entered the region where his ancestors had been reduced to ashes. He threw the ashes into the river. Then, Brahmā said to him, “Best of men, the sixty thousand sons of Sagara have crossed over into heaven and have been saved. As long as the waters of the ocean remain on earth, so long will Sagara’s sons remain in heaven with the gods. Gangā will now be your daughter and she shall be known on earth by your name. This celestial river that flows in all the three worlds shall be called Bhāgīrathī. She will be known as Tripathagā because her three streams flow in the three worlds.
