Explore King Anshuman's reign, Dilipa's quest, and Bhagiratha's penance to bring Ganga to Earth. Witness Brahma's boon and the challenge of Ganga's descent in this Ramayana excerpt. 

King Anshuman and the Descent of Ganga (Shlokas 1.42.1 - 1.42.25)

The Reign of King Anshuman (Shlokas 1.42.1 - 1.42.4)

After King Sagara's death, his subjects chose the virtuous Anshuman as their new ruler. Anshuman became a great monarch and fathered a renowned son named Dilipa. Later, Anshuman entrusted the kingdom to Dilipa and retired to perform severe penance on the peak of the Himavat mountain (Himalayas). After 32,000 years of asceticism, Anshuman attained heaven.

Dilipa's Dilemma (Shlokas 1.42.5 - 1.42.10)

Upon learning about the fate of his ancestors, Dilipa was overcome with grief. He constantly pondered three questions:

1. How to bring about the descent of Ganga (the sacred river)?

2. How to perform the necessary funeral rites for his ancestors?

3. How to liberate his ancestors from their current state?

While Dilipa was engrossed in these thoughts, his wife bore him a highly virtuous son named Bhagiratha.

Dilipa ruled the kingdom for 30,000 years, performing many sacrifices. However, he couldn't find a solution to liberate his ancestors. Affected by illness, Dilipa passed away and reached Indraloka (the realm of Indra) as a reward for his virtuous deeds. Before his death, Dilipa crowned Bhagiratha as the new king.

Bhagiratha's Penance (Shlokas 1.42.11 - 1.42.15)

Bhagiratha, a righteous and illustrious royal sage (rajarshi), was childless despite his desire for progeny. Determined to bring down Ganga, he entrusted his kingdom to his ministers and went to Gokarna, a sacred place. There, Bhagiratha practiced severe penance for thousands of years:

• Holding his arms upward

• Surrounding himself with four fires in the hot season, with the sun as the fifth fire

• Eating only once a month

• Controlling his senses

After a thousand years of these rigid austerities, Brahma (the creator god) was highly pleased with Bhagiratha's dedication.

Brahma's Boon and Bhagiratha's Request (Shlokas 1.42.16 - 1.42.20)

Brahma, accompanied by the gods, appeared before Bhagiratha and offered him a boon. Bhagiratha, with folded palms, made the following requests:

1. To allow all of King Sagara's sons to receive funeral rites with the waters of Ganga

2. To ensure that his ancestors' ashes, when immersed in Ganga's waters, would lead them to heaven

3. To grant continued progeny in the Ikshvaku dynasty, preventing its termination

Brahma's Response and the Challenge of Ganga's Descent (Shlokas 1.42.21 - 1.42.25)

Brahma praised Bhagiratha's noble desires and agreed to fulfill them. However, he explained the challenges involved:

1. Ganga, being Himavat's eldest daughter, possessed immense power

2. The earth couldn't withstand Ganga's direct descent

3. Only Lord Shiva (also known as Hara) could hold Ganga's force

Brahma advised Bhagiratha to entreat Lord Shiva to assist with Ganga's descent. After this conversation, Brahma returned to heaven with the other gods and Maruts (wind deities).

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