King Bhagiratha: Descent of the Celestial Ganga

A. Royden D'souza
Nov 4
5 min read

Updated: Nov 4

Middle Treta Yuga

Generations after the mighty King Sagara’s sons were reduced to ashes by the wrath of Sage Kapila, the curse of their unrest still hung over the Solar dynasty. The souls of Sagara’s sixty thousand sons, denied proper rites, wandered in limbo — unable to ascend to heaven or return to life.

Their deliverance, as Kapila had prophesied, could be achieved only when the celestial river Gaṅgā, daughter of the heavens, descended to earth to wash their ashes and purify them.

Sagara’s grandson Aṃśumān, noble and righteous, sought to appease Kapila and bring the river down. The sage blessed him, saying:

“O gentle prince, your devotion is great, but your austerity is not yet sufficient. From your line shall one arise, blessed by the gods, who will bring Gaṅgā to earth and redeem your ancestors.”

Aṃśumān ruled wisely, but the task remained unfulfilled. His son Dilīpa, too, performed penance for many years, but his devotion did not bear fruit.

When he passed away, he entrusted this sacred duty to his son Bhagiratha, saying with his final breath:

“Redeem our forefathers, O son, for their salvation is the destiny of our race.”

Birth and Vow of King Bhagiratha

Bhagiratha was born in the royal line of Ikṣvāku, son of King Dilīpa of Ayodhyā. From childhood, he was unlike other princes — contemplative, steadfast, and guided by a sense of divine purpose.

Note: Sagara → Asamañja → Aṃśumān → Dilīpa → Bhagiratha → Ambarīṣa

His very name, Bhagiratha, would later come to mean one who strives with perseverance to accomplish the impossible.

Upon his coronation, King Bhagiratha ruled with justice and compassion. Yet the thought of his cursed ancestors, their ashes lying deep within the earth, gave him no rest. One day, he renounced the luxuries of kingship, placed his ministers in charge of governance, and withdrew to the Himalayas, resolved to undertake the great vow (mahāvrata).

There, amid the silence of snow and wind, he made a solemn promise before the fire of sacrifice:

“Until Gaṅgā descends upon this earth and my ancestors are freed, I shall not waver from austerity, nor shall I return to the pleasures of the world.”

Austerities to Ganga

Bhagiratha’s penance began beside the sacred river Gomatī, and later he moved to Mount Gokarṇa. For a thousand years he stood in meditation — fasting, praying, and offering libations of water and flowers to the gods. His body grew lean, his hair matted, and his skin glowed with the fire of tapas.

The gods in heaven marveled; even Brahmā, the Creator, turned his gaze toward him. Finally, Gaṅgā-devī, the radiant goddess of the celestial river, appeared before him, adorned with silver foam and garlands of lotus.

Her voice echoed like rippling waters:

“O noble Bhagiratha, your devotion moves me. I shall descend to the earth as you desire. But know this — my torrent is fierce. If I fall unchecked, the earth will shatter under my flood. Who will bear my descent?”

Bhagiratha bowed and said humbly:

“O Mother of all rivers, I shall pray to Śiva, the Great Lord, whose strength and serenity can contain your flow.”

Austerities to Lord Shiva

Bhagiratha began a new penance — even more intense — to propitiate Mahādeva Śiva, Lord of Yoga. For another thousand years, he stood upon one foot amid blazing fires by day and freezing waters by night, his mind fixed upon the Trident-bearing God.

The heavens trembled with his austerity. At last, Śiva appeared before him, calm as a mountain and radiant like the rising sun.

“O Bhagiratha,” said Śiva, “your penance has pleased me. I shall receive Gaṅgā upon my head when she descends, and release her gently upon the earth. Go now, and call her forth.”

The Descent of Ganga

When Bhagiratha invoked her, Gaṅgā prepared to descend from the highest heaven (Brahmaloka). Her waves roared like thunder, her brilliance lit the three worlds.

As she plunged toward the earth, her mighty fall would have shattered it — but Śiva, standing upon Mount Kailāsa, caught her effortlessly upon his matted locks (jaṭā).

There she became trapped within his hair, swirling and foaming, unable to escape. For Gaṅgā, proud of her celestial glory, had intended to sweep the earth in her arrogance — but Śiva’s humility subdued her pride.

Bhagiratha, seeing her withheld, prayed once more to Śiva, praising him with hymns and surrendering his ego. At last, the Lord smiled and released a single lock of his hair, from which Gaṅgā flowed forth — split into seven streams.

Three flowed east: Hlādinī, Pāvanī, and Nalinī
Three flowed west: Sītā, Chakṣu, and Sindhu
And the seventh — the Bhāgīrathī — followed King Bhagiratha southward.

The Journey Across the Earth

As Bhagiratha led her, riding upon his chariot, the river followed his wheels like liquid crystal. Her flow purified the mountains and forests, sanctified the plains, and created the sacred tīrthas (pilgrimage sites) along her path.

The gods, sages, and celestial beings descended to witness the miracle, offering flowers and songs of praise.

Her waters coursed through the Himalayas, across the Gangetic plain, and finally toward the subterranean realms where the ashes of Sagara’s sons lay buried.

On her journey, Gaṅgā swept through Sage Jahnu’s hermitage. Disturbed in his meditation, the sage drank up her entire waters in anger! But Bhagiratha, humble and patient, praised the sage and sought forgiveness.

Pleased, Jahnu released Gaṅgā again through his ear — and from that day, she became known as Jāhnavī, “daughter of Jahnu.”

Liberation of the Sons of Sagara

At last, Gaṅgā reached the ash fields of the sixty thousand princes, lying deep beneath the earth near the ocean’s edge. Her sacred waters bathed the ashes, and the heavens resounded with divine music. The Pitṛs (ancestral spirits) rose, radiant and freed, ascending to the higher realms.

The gods spoke from the skies:

“O Bhagiratha, by your austerity the sons of Sagara are delivered. You have done what none before could do. Henceforth, Gaṅgā shall bear your name, and your fame shall be eternal.”

Thus the celestial river, descending through the will of man, became Bhāgīrathī, the river of redemption. The descendants of the Solar race performed great sacrifices on her banks, and her waters became the holiest in all the worlds.

The Legacy of Bhagiratha

Bhagiratha returned to Ayodhyā, his vow fulfilled, his ancestors redeemed, and the world sanctified. He ruled with peace and justice, his kingdom blessed with prosperity. When his time came, he departed to the higher worlds, honored among gods and sages alike.

In gratitude, even the gods decreed that Gaṅgā’s touch would absolve sins and grant mokṣa to the departed. Thus, her descent became symbolic of the union of heaven, earth, and the underworld — the divine cycle of purification.

Symbolism of the Tale

Bhagiratha represents human will united with divine purpose — tapas and perseverance that move the gods themselves.
Gaṅgā symbolizes divine grace and knowledge, which must descend from the higher realms to purify human life.
Śiva’s matted locks embody the restraint of the mind — the power to channel divine energy without destruction.
The ashes of Sagara’s sons signify karmic bondage — released only through devotion and divine intervention.