AkHaNDbHaRAtThe ancestors of Bhagiratha could not bring down the Ganga to liberate them. So finally it was upto Bhagiratha. It is said that he left his kingdom in the hands of his ministers because he had become the king. And his whole focus was to bring Ganga down to the earth so that his ancestors could also move on to the pitruloka and their soul could continue their journey. He did lot of tapas and penance with a lot of devotion, finally the Ganga the most sacred river was pleased and she took a form and appeared in front of him. When Bhagiratha saw the Devi there he bowed down, he was so grateful and overjoyed. He said you have been born from the feet of the Lord when the Vamana Avtaar happened. When he had asked King Bali for the 3 paces of the ground and then when he expanded into his Vishwarupa the great form, it is said that the foot that covered the heavens , one of his feet reached the heavenly realms and it is said that in the Satyaloka the highest of the heavens Lord Bramha himself along with the Saptarishi’s they washed the foot of Lord Narayana who had been placed there to cover the heavenly realms. Bramha used the water from his kamadalu to wash the feet of the Lord , the water that flowed from there is you Devi Ganga.That is why you are also known by the name of Vishnupadi and you are called Mandakini. Then he bowed down to her and said please have mercy on my family. Only you can liberate the ancestors who have been burnt to ashes due to the anger of the Lord in the form of Rishi Kapila. So it is said that Devi smiled at him and said what is it that I can do for you. So he explained to her the words of Rishi Kapila that have been passed on to him by his ancestors. So he prayed to Devi Ganga to allow his ancestors to go to the divine realm because for 3 generations now we have not been able to give them that. Because we have not been able to bring you down to the earth to purify their remains.
Devi Ganga said to him, ‘My dear Bhagiratha I think you don’t understand, it’s not so simple. Because when I will flow down from the heavens the power and speed of my water it will be too much. Someone has to break my fold when I descend on the earth from the heaven. Otherwise the force will be so great that the earth will not be able to hold me, I will pierce the earth and go straight into the netherworlds and then you penance also will be wasted. And why should I come down to earth where there is so much of sin and impurity. People will be bathing in my water, they will become pure but I will be collecting all the sins and impurities. But in this process. Hearing her words Bhagiratha stood before her an very humbly he said, you don’t have to worry about the sinfulness. I have been told that the great Rishi’s , seers who have gone beyond the bondage of Karma and who have no other thought other than that of the lord, those in whose minds Narayana is firmly established. These Rishi’s when they bathe in your water they will purify you. That is why they are called the Teertha Rupas, they themselves are considered the Teerthas , as places that purify.And when they purify the water the sin will not cling to them also as they have the power to destroy sin. They have gone beyond it. And for you to descend from the heavens to the earth, the only way this is possible is through the grace of Mahadeva himself. He said Oh Divine Mother please allow me this opportunity that if I am able to gain the grace of Lord Shiva himself and if he agrees to take you on his head to break your fall, if I can manage that will you agree to come down and purify the earth. Devi Ganga gave her words stating that that if Lord Shiva is himself ready to take my fall I am ready to come to the earth.
Bhagiratha then started to do the penance but this time with the sankalpa in mind and this time his whole focus was directed on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is known for the fact that he grants for the wishes of his devotees very quickly. He is not so difficult to please. Very soon he appeared before Bhagiratha and he asked him what can I do for you. Bhagiratha was so grateful to see Lord Shiva. He told Shiva you know how my ancestors were turned into ashes because they offended and ill-treated the great Rishi Kapila who was the form of Lord Narayana himself. The Rishi told my grandfather that the only way they can be liberated if the Ganga herself comes down to the earth and purifies their ashes. But she told me she cannot directly descend on the earth as its force will be too great. Because when she agrees to come down you must take her on your head break her fall. Only you can do this. Lord Shiva readily agreed. It is said that the Ganga rushed down with great force from the heavens. All the devas were watching as it was a unique event.
Bhagiratha was there his hand folded witnessing this spectacular sight and he was so grateful. Finally it looked as if his ancestors will be liberated. Devi Ganga had become a little proud of her powers. So when she came down, she came as fast as she could. She wanted to show everybody including Lord Shiva, how powerful she had become. Lord Shiva knew this and so to teach her he welcomed the river in his matted locks/ jata. And it is said that it is a very peculiar sight. Ganga was totally lost in the matted locks of Lord Shiva. She tried her best to get out of this mess of hair but in vain. Everybody was wondering what happened to this huge river. Bhagiratha got worried that how the river suddenly disappeared.He prayed to Lord Shiva to have mercy on him and allow Ganga to flow down as she is the only one who can purify my ancestors. Hearing this Lord Shiva allowed her to trikle from a strand of his hair. So just in a small gentle flow it came down. That was Mandakini dedcended to the earth very slowly drop by drop. And a lake was formed that was called Bindusaras and also sapthashotas where it is said that Ganga divided herself into 7 streams where 3 of the float eastward and 3 of them towards the west. The last 7th stream followed the chariot of Bhagiratha as he proceeded towards the cave of Rishi Kapila because that is where the ashes of his ancestors lay and it is said that wherever she touched the earth the Ganga she purified it. And the whole world is standing watching this scene in amazement. And it is said that Mandakini is known as Ganga in the earth. And because it is Bhagiratha through his penance bought her down to the earth they considered her as daughter of Bhagiratha. That’s how Ganga also got the name of Bhagirathi. Ganga also means the knowledge / gyan , it is a river that is connected to knowledge. Ganga has a very special quality, just by sitting in her presence you feel so good.