Witness Bhagiratha's devotion as he brings Ganga to Earth. Experience the divine drama of Shiva's intervention, Ganga's descent, and the salvation of Sagara's sons in this epic tale. 

The Descent of Ganga (Shlokas 1.43.1 - 1.43.41)

Bhagiratha's Penance (Shlokas 1.43.1 - 1.43.3)

After Brahma departed, Bhagiratha continued his penance. He stood on the tip of his big toe, meditating upon Shiva for an entire year. When the year was complete, Shiva, worshipped by all worlds and known as the husband of Uma and Lord of creatures, addressed King Bhagiratha:

"O best among men, I am pleased with your devotion. I shall fulfill your wish. I will hold Ganga, the daughter of the mountain king, on my head to reduce the force of her descent."

The Descent of Ganga (Shlokas 1.43.4 - 1.43.13)

Ganga, the eldest daughter of Himavat, adored by all worlds, then assumed a mighty form and descended from the sky with unbearable speed onto Shiva's auspicious head. The goddess thought she would seize Shiva with her flow and enter the lower regions of the earth.

Knowing her proud intentions, the three-eyed Lord Shiva decided to humble her. Ganga fell onto Shiva's sacred head, which resembled Mount Himavan, and became lost in the depths of his matted locks. Despite her efforts, she could not find a way out and wandered there for many years.

Bhagiratha, not seeing Ganga, once again resorted to great penance. Shiva, greatly pleased by this, released Ganga drop by drop, forming the Bindusara lake. As Ganga was released, she branched into seven streams:

1. Eastward-flowing streams:

   • Hladini

   • Pavani

   • Nalini

2. Westward-flowing streams:

   • Suchakshu

   • Sita

   • The great river Sindhu

3. The seventh stream, which followed Bhagiratha

Bhagiratha's Journey and Ganga's Flow (Shlokas 1.43.14 - 1.43.24)

The brilliant sage-king Bhagiratha mounted a divine chariot and led the way, with Ganga following him. The sky was filled with the sounds of Ganga's descent, and the earth shone with fallen aquatic creatures. Various celestial beings gathered to witness this spectacular event:

• Gods and sages

• Gandharvas (celestial musicians)

• Yakshas (nature spirits)

• Daityas and Danavas (classes of demons)

• Rakshasas (mythical beings with supernatural powers)

• Kinnaras (half-human, half-horse creatures)

• Apsaras (celestial nymphs)

The cloudless sky appeared to be filled with a hundred suns due to the radiance of the ornaments worn by the arriving deities. The water's white foam made the sky look as if it were covered with autumn clouds and flocks of swans.

Ganga's flow varied in different places:

• Rapid and straight

• Meandering and slow

• Rising high

• Flowing gently

• Waves clashing against each other, rising upwards before falling back to the ground

The Purifying Waters of Ganga (Shlokas 1.43.25 - 1.43.33)

The water that fell from Shiva's head to the earth became pure and free from impurities. Celestial and earthly beings touched the water reverently, considering it sacred. Those who had been cursed to fall from heaven to earth were absolved of their sins after bathing in Ganga's waters. Cleansed, they ascended once more to their celestial abodes.

People rejoiced at the sight of the shining waters. Bathing in Ganga removed their fatigue and filled them with joy. Bhagiratha continued to lead the way on his divine chariot, with Ganga following behind, accompanied by various celestial and mythical beings.

Ganga, renowned as the foremost of rivers and destroyer of all sins, flowed in the direction King Bhagiratha moved.

The Story of Jahnu (Shlokas 1.43.34 - 1.43.38)

As Ganga flowed, she inundated the sacrificial ground of the great sage Jahnu, who was performing a sacrifice. Observing Ganga's pride, Jahnu grew furious and astonishingly drank all of Ganga's waters.

The gods, sages, and Gandharvas were amazed by this act. They worshipped the magnanimous Jahnu and entreated him to treat Ganga as his daughter. Pleased by their request, the brilliant Jahnu released Ganga through both his ears. Because of this incident, Ganga is also known as Jahnavi, the daughter of Jahnu.

The Fulfilment of Bhagiratha's Mission (Shlokas 1.43.39 - 1.43.41)

Ganga, the best among rivers, continued to follow Bhagiratha's chariot. She reached the ocean and then entered the nether regions of the earth to fulfill Bhagiratha's mission. This mission was to save the sons of Sagara, Bhagiratha's ancestors, who had been reduced to ashes by the sage Kapila's anger.

Rajarshi (royal sage) Bhagiratha, having brought Ganga with great effort, beheld with a heavy heart his grandfathers reduced to ashes. The excellent waters of Ganga inundated the heaps of ashes, and the sons of Sagara, purged of their sins, ascended to heaven.

This successful completion of Bhagiratha's mission not only saved his ancestors but also established Ganga as a sacred river capable of purifying sins and connecting the celestial, earthly, and nether realms.

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