BHAGIRATHA Jaharnavi (Ganges) was brought by Bhagiratha. (Malar M. 4, p. 1263) He was the son of king Dilipa, and a descendant of king Sagara. The horse of the Aswamedha Yajna of king Sagara had been led astray by Indra to the nether-regions (Patala) at the place of meditation of the sage Kapila. Sixty thousand sons of the king, who went in search of the horse were reduced to ashes by an angry glance of the sage because his meditation had been disturbed.
Anshuman, the grandson of Sagara came to know of the fate of his elders and asked the sage for forgiveness. But water was needed for the last rites. The sage said that his elders could be brought back to life, if the sacred waters of the celestial Ganges could be made to flow over their ashes. Neither Anshuman nor Dilipa could do the needful in the matter. The task was ultimately accomplished by Bhagiratha, the son of Dilipa.
He propitiated both Brahma and Shiva and brought the Ganges to the earth. Thence he conducted the waters of Patala, where the ashes of the sixty thousand sons of Sagara were watered and restored them back to life. They were purified by the sacred waters of all their sins and then ascended to heaven. See : Ganga and Jaharnavi (Jahnavi)
References :
1. Kohli,Surindar Singh ed, Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993
Bhagiratha is a legendary figure in Hindu mythology, celebrated for his devotion, perseverance, and selflessness. His story is primarily associated with the descent of the sacred river Ganga (Ganges) to Earth. Here’s an overview of his tale:
The Curse of King Sagara’s Sons
Bhagiratha was a descendant of King Sagara, whose 60,000 sons were cursed and reduced to ashes by the sage Kapila. Their souls could only attain liberation (moksha) if their ashes were purified by the waters of the celestial river Ganga.
Bhagiratha’s Penance
Determined to fulfill his ancestral duty, Bhagiratha undertook rigorous penance to bring Ganga to Earth. He first pleased Lord Brahma, who agreed to send Ganga down but warned that her descent would be too powerful for Earth to withstand. Bhagiratha then performed penance to invoke Lord Shiva, who agreed to catch Ganga in his matted locks (jata) to control her flow.
The Descent of Ganga
When Ganga descended from the heavens, Lord Shiva caught her in his hair and released her in manageable streams. Bhagiratha guided Ganga’s flow to the spot where his ancestors’ ashes lay, allowing the sacred waters to purify them and grant them salvation.
Significance
Bhagiratha’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, devotion, and selflessness. His efforts are commemorated in the name of the river’s headstream, Bhagirathi, and his tale continues to inspire devotion and duty toward one’s ancestors.
