When Brahma returned with his entourage, Bhageeratha resumed his austere penance, standing on a single toe, invoking the Lord of Elements, Shiva. Pleased by Bhageeratha’s devotion, Shiva addressed him, “O King, with your selfless purpose, I shall bear the sacred Ganga upon my head.”
On Shiva’s assurance, Ganga, daughter of Himavat and purifier of sins, descended from the heavens with great speed, grace, and intent, aiming to sweep through the realms alongside Bhutānātha and descend directly into the netherworld. Perceiving her intent, Shiva decided to humble her, as she sought to forge her path without his sanction. Thus, the powerful and revered Ganga fell upon the sacred crown of Shiva’s head, only to be caught within his vibrant, boundless locks, held firmly amidst the vastness of his unyielding strength.
Attempting to escape, Ganga surged with boundless energy, trying to break free from Shiva’s tresses, but to no avail. Years passed, and she had yet to touch the earth. Intrigued by Ganga’s disappearance, the gods, Yakshas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas, and Bhageeratha himself prayed to Shiva, while Ganga realized she must surrender to the universal order under Bhutānātha’s guardianship. She offered her own prayers, and finally, Shiva, moved by their pleas, released her at the sacred site of Bindusara.
Dividing herself into seven streams, Ganga sent Hradini, Pavani, and Nalini eastward, while Subhishuvu, Sita, and Sindhu flowed westward. The seventh stream, Yasasvini, followed Bhageeratha as he led her in his divine chariot. Thus, Ganga, first graced by Shiva’s head and infused with the essence of his divine being, descended to Earth, imbued with purity and sanctity.
Her descent was marked by a thunderous sound, energizing the land, nurturing the greenery, and infusing every living being along her course with vitality. Her sparkling droplets created a radiant, colorful curtain as if nature itself had adorned the path of the sacred river. Gods and celestial beings followed her in joyous admiration, the brilliance of their adornments rivaling a hundred suns, while the froth of her waves cooled the earth like the serene glow of countless moons.
In her graceful flow, Ganga danced with joy, speeding through lowlands, winding through elevations, and gracefully navigating curves and bends, leaving onlookers in awe and wonder. Many came to bathe in her waters, washing away sins and offering oblations to their ancestors.
Yet, in her delight, Ganga inadvertently swept through the hermitage of the mighty Sage Jahnu. Angered by the disturbance, the sage contained her within a single glance, reducing her to mere drops and consuming her. Disturbed, the gods and followers of Ganga implored Jahnu, acknowledging both his and Ganga’s roles in sustaining the universe. They implored him to accept her as his daughter, thus naming her “Jahnavi.” Pleased, Jahnu released her, and she continued to follow Bhageeratha, ultimately consecrating the ashes of his forefathers, whose souls then attained heavenly realms.
Bhageeratha led Ganga to the sea, where she merged into the ocean, bidding farewell. With deep reverence, he offered thanks for her sacred service to the Earth and his family. Creator Brahma descended to praise him, exclaiming, “O noble King, your perseverance shines as a beacon of austerity! You have brought Ganga to bless countless beings with your unwavering devotion and tireless efforts. Henceforth, let her be known as ‘Bhagirathi,’ in your honor.”
Thus, Bhagirathi – the sacred Ganga – came to flow through the realms of gods, mortals, and the netherworld, revered as Thripadhaga. Brahma assured Bhageeratha that as long as the oceans brimmed with water, the lineage of Sagara would be remembered for its virtue and bravery. He proclaimed that the mention of Bhageeratha’s name would inspire strength and resilience in those seeking to overcome challenges.
Then, turning to Rama, Sage Vishwamitra concluded, “O Rama, I have recounted the tale of Ganga’s descent. Now it is time for evening rituals.” The sage led Rama, Lakshmana, and the other sages in sacred rites, and they spent the night sharing the story of Ganga, lifting burdens and easing sorrows with every word.
In the morning, they boarded a finely decorated boat to cross the Ganga, arriving at a place known as Vaisali. There, Sage Vishwamitra told them of the ancient history of the place. In the Krita Yuga, the sons of Diti and Aditi – virtuous, powerful, and brave – resolved to rid creation of old age, illness, and sorrow. To this end, they decided to churn the ocean for the ultimate elixir, Amrita, that would alleviate the suffering of all beings.
In unity, gods and demons alike joined forces, using Mount Mandara as a churning rod and the divine serpent Vasuki as the churning rope. The years of immense effort unleashed vast quantities of poison, threatening all realms. In this crisis, they prayed to Vishnu, who turned to Shiva, deeming him the foremost deity to accept the ocean’s first product. With a spirit of divine duty, Shiva took the poison, thus saving the world.
As the churning continued, Vishnu, in the form of a mighty turtle, supported Mount Mandara, preventing it from sinking. Over time, from the depths of the ocean, Sage Dhanvantari emerged, followed by countless celestial beauties – the Apsaras, born of water. Then came Varuni, daughter of Varuna, accepted by the sons of Diti, who were henceforth known as Suras, while the others became Daityas.
Among the treasures was the divine horse Uchaisravas, and then the illustrious jewel Kaustubha. Finally, the great elixir Amrita emerged, sparking fierce conflict as both gods and demons sought it, leading to a cosmic battle. Ultimately, the Suras triumphed, with Indra as their king, while Vishnu secured the pot of Amrita, marking a profound turning point in creation.
The sage paused, saying, “This, O Rama, is the essence of the universe manifest in full form. Much will unfold as our story continues.”