Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/127

Rh by their prayers and so to induce them to obtain from Vishnu the gift of the Ganges River. At last, moved by the ceaseless prayers of the Ayodhya kings, the god Brahmadeva revealed himself to King Bhagirath.

"King Bhagirath," said the great god, "I am pleased with your devotion and that of your father and grandfather. And I am ready to give you any boon which you wish to have." "Lord Brahmadeva," said King Bhagirath, "the boon that I crave is a great one. Nevertheless in your mercy vouchsafe it to me! Let the Lord Vishnu send down the River Ganges from heaven to earth so that I may fitly perform the obsequies of King Sagar's sons and thus give rest to their spirits." "I grant you the boon, King Bhagirath," said the god Brahmadeva. But the Ganges River will break through the earth's surface in its descent and will vanish beneath it. Pray, therefore, to the Lord Shiva that he may break its fall, so that it may flow gently upon the earth's surface".

With these words the god Brahmadeva vanished and King Bhagirath for a whole year worshipped the god Shiva. At last Shiva revealed himself to the king and said, "King Bhagirath, you have worshipped me unceasingly for twelve months past. I am pleased with you. Ask of me a boon." "Lord Shiva." said the king, "the god Brahmadeva has promised to obtain for me the heavenly river Ganges. But he tells me that the Ganges will in its descent force its way to the centre of the earth. The boon, therefore, which I ask of you. Lord Shiva, is this. Hold back the Ganges River when it falls on earth and force it to flow gently over the earth's surface to the sea. Thus I will be able to pay the honours due to King Sagar's sixty thousand sons and so give rest to their spirits." The Lord Shiva said, "O King, I grant