Friday 1 January 2016

Bhagirath

One day, in the heavens, Shiva began singing. So divine was his singing, that Narayana (Vishnu) who was there could not control himself. He became liquefied and this was Narayani Ganga. Brahma collected this in his pot and kept it with him.
Stopping his take Kapila said, if you can get this Ganga to earth, not only your uncles but many others would attain salvation. Kapila also said someone in your dynasty is destined to bring Ganga down to earth.

Bowing to Kapila, Anshuman returned with the horse, back to Ayodhya. He told all that he had heard and seen to Sagara.
Sagara was in deep shock. Then he controlled himself and said my sons were not destined to live long.
Crowning Anshuman king, Sagara went to the forests to pray and please the Gods to get Ganga down to earth.
He could not get Ganga but in the process, Sagara passed away in the forests.

In Ayodhya, Anshuman crowned his son,Dilip, King of Ayodhya and went to the forests to pray for Ganga. His prayers were not were not successful and he too died in the forests.

After sometime, Dilip also went to the forests to pray for Ganga. He was childless and had left his two wives in Ayodhya. He too died in the forests.

Dilip's death was not welcomed by the Gods. In this dynasty, Vishnu would be born to King Dasharatha. If Dilip dies childless, where would Vishnu be born? They asked Shiva to go and help.

Shiva went to Ayodhya. By the blessings of Shiva, one the queens became pregnant. When the queen gave birth, it was not a child but a mass of flesh. They were shocked to see this. In the dead of the night, the queens took this mass of flesh and left it on the banks of River Sarayu.

Early Morning. Ashtavakra rishi was going for his bath in the river. His body was bent in eight places, which is why he was called Ashtavakra. He accidentally stepped on the mass of flesh. He looked at that and said if this is someone who is playing a practical joke on me, may you be burnt immediately. If you are a deformed child, then may you get a body and structure like that of Vishnu.

The mass imeediately transformed itself into a handsome young boy. The queens had been watching this. Seeing the boy rise, they came and embraced him. They bowed down before Ashtavakra and after taking his blessings took the boy back home with them. He was named Bhagirath.


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