Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/126

120 prince wept when he saw that his uncles had perished. Then sadly and slowly he led his grandfather's horse back through the tunnel to the centre of the earth and then through that which led to the shores of the western sea. Here by chance he met Garuda, who had descended from heaven to make war upon the snake people, whom he hated because of his former slavery. "Young prince, my kinsman," said Garuda, "what are you doing here and where are you leading this horse?" Prince Anshumat told Garuda all that had happened and then continued: "I am leading the sacrificial horse to my grandfather, but I do not know how he will perform the sacrificial rites due to my gallant uncles. There is but little water near Ayodhya and much will be needed if due honour is to be paid to the dead princes." Garuda said, "Tell King Sagar that Vishnu slew his sons to punish him for his pride. But if he humbles himself to the immortal gods, they may possibly forgive him and Vishnu may send his divine river the Ganges from heaven to earth. If this should happen, King Sagar will have more than enough water with which to honour the ashes of his sixty thousand sons." Heavy at heart, Prince Anshumat continued his journey to Ayodhya. When he reached his grandfather's capital, he told King Sagar all that had happened and then led away the sacrificial horse to the royal stable. The news of the death of his sons broke King Sagar's heart. He died and Anshumat became king in his place. And when Anshumat in turn was gathered to his fathers his son Dilip succeeded him. After Dilip, Dilip's son Bhagirath ascended the throne of Ayodhya. And Anshumat, Dilip and Bhagirath, all in turn strove year after year to soften the hearts of the immortals