The sight of the descending Ganga was most pleasing. Many animals like fishes, tortoises, crocodile and sea snakes also came down with the stream of Ganga. As Ganga flowed down with waves of white foam and the speed of lightening, everyone gazed with wonder and joy.

Ishwara felt the impact of the powerful flow. He understood that Ganga was haughty. He became wild with anger. As Ganga came down on him with a deafening roar, he tied her up amidst his flowing tresses so tightly that she could not slip away. Thus Ganga, who came to engulf him with such turbulence, was checked and imprisoned. Arrogant people not only bring suffering on themselves, but also cause trouble to those who depend on them. Bhagiratha had been praying with such piety for the divine mother Ganga to flow down to the earth; he had watched her foamy descent. In his joy that Ganga had come down to the earth, he had closed his eyes in meditation. After a while, when he opened his eyes, he could not see Ganga, or any flowing water. He could only see Lord Ishwara, terrible in his anger, with Ns hands on his waist, his eyes darting fire.

Bhagiratha felt that he was ruined. Just when he thought that his very difficult task was completed, a new difficulty had cropped up. It was true that the proud Ganga deserved punishment. But if he thought it right and kept quiet, what about his task? He had no time even to think. He was a man of action-So at once he stood with folded hands before Lord Ishwara and begged him:

"O Lord, be kind and release Ganga. Let her descend to the earth and flow on. Let her sanctify my ancestors and all the people on the earth." Ishwara was pleased. He said:

"Bhagiratha, I am pleased with your devotion and humility. Look, I will release Ganga from my tresses. But I cannot allow her as one stream since that will cause trouble to you. She might cause more trouble again in her pride. So I shall release her in seven separate streams. Let three streams go to the west, and three to the east. Only one stream will follow you - With these words he set free Ganga.

Bhagiratha was happy that his difficulty was over as he wished. He considered himself lucky to have one of the seven streams of Ganga following him. Again he bowed to Lord Parameswara and set out towards the south. Ganga now calmly followed him. Her flow now was like the dancing lively steps of an innocent girl following her father. Wherever she flowed, she spread peace, created green foliage and infused life. Sometimes rapid and sometimes slow, she followed Bhagiratha, flowing with playful glee. Bhagiratha walked on and on. He was anxious to reach Patala, and to have the ashes of his ancestors made holy by the touch of the waters of the divine Ganga and thus fulfil his task. He had already faced many difficulties; so he was still rather afraid that some trouble might crop up again. So he walked very fast to complete his good deed as soon as possible.

Bhagiratha had now come down to the open plains from the Himalayan range. Ganga followed Bhagiratha, who was now walking on level ground, like a new bride, shy and happy, Bhagiratha was filled with happiness.

There was an Ashrama on the way. It looked very beautiful, with fruits and flowers all around. Peace pervaded this Ashrama of Sage Jahnu. Since Bhagiratha knew the place, he entered the Ashrama with devotion and humility.

Ganga had been so far following him shyly and slowly. But somehow after entering the Ashrama, she grew a little mischievous. She wandered all over the Ashrama like a small girl. The entire place was filled with water and it looked as if the Ashrama would be washed away. There was grief and confusion everywhere. But still Ganga was laughing like a naughty girl.

Inside the Ashrama was Sage Jahnu. He had been meditating on God. Ganga's mischief disturbed him. He understood everything. He decided to teach that naughty girl a lesson. Drawing Ganga into his palm, he swallowed her at a single gulp.

Bhagiratha could not see Ganga anywhere. He was shocked. He was afraid that some other difficulty had come up. Where was Ganga? What had happened to her?

Ganga had disappeared in Jahnu's Ashrama. So Bhagiratha thought the sage would know what had happened. He bowed to the sage with reverence. He narrated his story and prayed in these words: "I was coming to see you, but just then Ganga disappeared. I beg of you, holy sage, tell me what has happened if you know anything." Having heard everything, the sage replied: "I myself have drunk her. I wanted to teach her a lesson."