death).  And the son of thy son, with a view to purifying the sons of Sagara, will obtain the favour of the great god Siva, (by means of practising great austerities), and will (thus) bring (to this world) the river that floweth in three (separate) streams, Ganga, O chief of men!  May good luck be thine!  Take thou with thee the sacrificial horse.  Finish, my lad! the sacrificial rites of the magnanimous Sagara.’  Thus addressed by the illustrious Kapila, Ansuman took the horse with him, and came back to the sacrificial yard of the mighty-minded Sagara.  Then he fell prostrate at the feet of the high-souled Sagara, who smelt him on the head and narrated all the events to him, all that had been seen and heard by him, and likewise the destruction of Sagara’s sons.  He also announced that the horse had been brought back to the sacrificial yard.  And when king Sagara heard of this, he no more grieved on account of his sons.  And he praised and honoured Ansuman, and finished those same sacrificial rites.  His sacrifice finished, Sagara was greeted honourably by all the gods; and he converted the sea, Varuna’s dwelling place, into a son of himself.  And the lotus-eyed (King Sagara) having ruled his kingdom for a period of exceeding length, placed his grandson on the throne, (full of) responsibilities and then ascended to heaven.  And Ansuman likewise, O great king! virtuous in soul, ruled over the world as far as the edge of the sea, following the foot-prints of his father’s father.  His son was named Dilipa, versed in virtue.  Upon him placing the duties of his sovereign post, Ansuman like-wise departed this life.  And then when Dilipa heard what an awful fate had overtaken his forefathers, he was sorely grieved and thought of the means of raising them.  And the ruler of men made every great effort towards the descent of Ganga (to the mortal world).  But although trying to the utmost of his power, he could not bring about what he so much wished.  And a son was born to him, known by the name of Bhagiratha beauteous, and devoted to a virtuous life, and truthful, and free from feelings of malice.  And Dilipa appointed him as king, and betook himself to the forest life.  And, O best of all the scions of Bharata’s race! that same king (Dilipa), devoted himself to a successful course of austerities, and at the end of (sufficient) period, from the forest departed to heaven.”

SECTION CVIII

“Lomasa said, ’That same king, of a powerful bow, standing at the head of the surrounding, (i.e., the occupant of an imperial throne) of a powerful car, (i.e., possessing every great fighting power) became the delight of the eyes and the soul of all the world.  And he of the powerful arm came to learn how his forefathers had met an awful end from Kapila of mighty soul, and how they had been unable to attain the region of gods.  And he with a sorrowful heart made over his kingly duties to his minister, and, O lord of men! for practising austerities, went