Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Kaladharmam Gathe Rama Sagare
Prakruthi Jana: |
Rajanam Rojayamasura Amshumantham
Sudharmikam ||
Sa Raja Sumahan Aseeth Amshuman
Raghunandana |
Thasya Puthro Mahan Aseeth
Dilipa Ithi Vishrutha: ||
Thasmai Rajyam Samadhishya
Dilipey Raghunandana |
Himavath Shikhare Ramye Thapa:
Thepe Sudharunam ||
Sage Vishwamithra continued “In
due course of time, the ministers of the assembly declared heir to
the throne Amshuman as the King after the demise of Emperor Sagara. Oh! Raghunandana, the virtuous King Amshuman
begot a stunning child Dilipa. As the years
passes by, Dilipa was crowned as the King and Amshuman undertook severe penance
on the pleasant peak of Himalayas, earnestly desiring for the descent of River
Ganga on Earth. In this way, Amshuman
continued severe austerities for thirty two thousand years and attained heavenly
abode. King Dilipa came to know about
the pathetic plight of his grandfathers due to the curse of Sage Kapila,
distressed state of sixty thousands sons of Emperor Sagara and earnest desire
of his father Amshuman to release the departed souls. But King Dilipa could not make a proper decision
to bring River Ganga on Earth; eventually he was extremely distraught at the
thought of helpless state of the souls of Emperor Sagara without performing
ceremonial rite, extremely desired for bringing down River Ganga on Earth. In due course of time, Bhageeratha a virtuous
son was born to King Dilipa who performed numerous Vedic Rituals and wisely
ruled his Kindgom for thirty thousand years absolutely for the peace and
happiness of his subjects. King Dilipa
was extremely concerned about the wretched state of his great grandfathers and
his in ability to bring down river Ganga on Earth. Ultimately, Bhageeratha was appointed as the next King who
was heir to the throne, in the meantime King Dilipa became ill and attained the
heavenly abode of Lord Indra. Oh!
Raghunandan, King Bhageeratha had no offspring, was desired for a virtuous
offspring. He sincerely undertook the
mission of brining down river Ganga on Earth, therefore as an initial part he
left the Kingdom under the custodian of ministers and underwent severe
austerities in the mount Gokarna in Himalayas standing amidst the Panchagni,
holding hands folded upward and having perfect control over senses. Thousands of years have passed in that way;
King Bhageeratha stood practicing severe austerity. Lord Brahma was pleased at the devotion of the
virtuous King Bhageertha, Lord Brahma and all the deities appeared before the
King and spoke “ Oh! Righteous King Bhageertha, Lord of the people, I am
immensely pleased at the dedication of your austerities and willing to offer a
boon”. King Bhageeratha reverentially
greeted Lord Brahma and earnestly prayed for the salvation of sixty thousand
sons of Emperor Sagara and his desire to perform oblation for the departed
souls while their ashes blend with the glorious water of River Ganga and drench
the Earth. Further he prayed for the welfare
of Ikshvaku dynasty and pleaded for the Ikshvaku dynasty not to disgrace him as
childless. Lord Brahma after listening
to the modest words of King Bhageeratha replied “ Oh! King Bhageeratha, Manoratho
Mahan, who has the capabilities to ride a chariot at the will of his mind, your
aspirations are inspiring and let your prayers be answered. The glorious river Ganga, elder daughter of
Mount Himavan is a glacier/mass body of snow and her force of water course
while descend to Earth is competent to sustain by Lord Shiva alone. The Earth cannot endure the water current of
River Ganga and it can behold by Lord Shiva only.” Thus Lord Brahma answered to
River Ganga and King Bhageeratha and returned to his abode with the deities.”
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
