Neither Amshuman nor his successor, Dileepa, could bring Ganga. But King Bhageerath succeeded by his devotion and prayers. So, she came to be called Bhageerathi. However, Lord Brahma told him that only Lord Shiva could help him to handle the force of Ganga’s might when she came down. So, he prayed to Lord Shiva, who said he would take Ganga’s force on his own head. As the mighty Ganga came down, Shiva shook out his locks of hair. When she poured down, the locks bound themselves up, trapping Ganga within them. Then she poured out in a steady, powerful stream. On the way, she disturbed Sage Jahnu, who swallowed her. However, he let her go when the gods pleaded with him. So, Ganga is also called Jahnavi. Thus Ganga came down to earth and gave salvation to Bhageerath’s ancestors and all others.
Ganga Descends to Earth
