King Sagara sends grandson Anshuman to find his lost sons and sacrificial horse. Guided by Garuda, Anshuman discovers their fate and faces the challenge of bringing Ganga to Earth.

Anshuman's Quest for the Horse and His Uncles (Shlokas 1.41.1 - 1.41.26)

King Sagara Sends Anshuman (Shlokas 1.41.1 - 1.41.4)

King Sagara, realizing his sons had been gone for a long time, spoke to his grandson Anshuman, who shone with his own brilliance:

"Brave and learned one, you are equal to your ancestors in valor. Search for the path taken by your uncles and find who carried away the horse. Powerful and mighty beings dwell in the depths of the earth. Carry a bow and weapons to counter their attacks if needed. Honor those deserving respect, eliminate obstacles to the sacrifice, and return successful, ensuring the completion of my sacrifice."

Anshuman's Journey (Shlokas 1.41.5 - 1.41.8)

Following Sagara's thorough instructions, Anshuman set out with quick strides, carrying a scimitar and a bow. He followed the path dug by his uncles (the sixty thousand sons of Sagara) into the earth's depths. There, he saw the elephant of the quarter, worshipped by various beings:

• Daityas (a class of demons)

• Danavas (another class of demons)

• Rakshasas (man-eating demons)

• Pisachas (flesh-eating demons)

• Birds and serpents

Anshuman circumambulated the elephant, inquired about its well-being, and asked about his uncles and the person who had stolen the sacrificial horse.

The Elephant's Response and Anshuman's Continued Search (Shlokas 1.41.9 - 1.41.12)

The elephant of the quarter replied, "O Son of Asamanjasa (Anshuman's father), you will soon return successful with the horse." Hearing this, Anshuman respectfully inquired from all the guardian elephants of the quarters. They all honored him and encouraged him, saying he would return with the horse.

With quick steps, Anshuman reached the place where his uncles, the sons of Sagara, had been reduced to heaps of ashes.

Anshuman's Grief and Discovery (Shlokas 1.41.13 - 1.41.16)

Overwhelmed with sorrow at the sight of his uncles' destruction, Anshuman cried out in great distress. Nearby, he saw the sacrificial horse grazing. Wanting to perform the traditional funeral rites with water for the deceased princes, he looked around but couldn't find any water source.

As he scanned the area with his keen eyes, Anshuman saw Garuda, the lord of eagles and maternal uncle to his uncles, swift as the wind.

Garuda's Advice (Shlokas 1.41.17 - 1.41.21)

Garuda, son of Vinata, said to Anshuman: "O Tiger among men, do not grieve. This act was for the welfare of the three worlds. These mighty ones were burnt by Kapila, who has boundless power. O Wise one, it's not proper to offer them ordinary water.

Ganga, the eldest daughter of Himavan (the personification of the Himalayas), should be used for their funeral rites. She, the purifier of the three worlds, will sanctify these ashes. When inundated by Ganga's waters, beloved by the world, these sixty thousand sons will ascend to heaven.

Go back with the horse, O fortunate one. O hero, it's your duty to complete your grandfather's sacrifice."

Anshuman's Return and Sagara's Dilemma (Shlokas 1.41.22 - 1.41.26)

Hearing Garuda's words, the powerful and renowned Anshuman quickly took the horse and returned to the capital. He reached King Sagara, who was still engaged in the sacrificial ceremony, and faithfully reported all that had happened, including Garuda's words.

Though stunned by Anshuman's awful news, the king completed the sacrifice according to the scriptures and traditions. After the sacrifice, King Sagara returned to his capital but faced a dilemma:

• He couldn't decide how to bring Ganga down to earth

• Unable to find a solution, he continued to rule

• The mighty king ruled for thirty thousand years

• Finally, he ascended to heaven without resolving the issue

Thus ends the Forty First sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.