Bhagiratha Brings the Ganga to Earthभगीरथ

The story

Long ago, the sixty thousand sons of King Sagara were burned to ashes by the anger of the sage Kapila. Their souls could find peace only if the waters of the Ganga, which then flowed only in heaven, washed over their ashes.

Many kings of their family tried and failed to bring the Ganga down. At last King Bhagiratha left his palace and went to the Himalaya to pray. For years he prayed to Brahma, standing on one leg, until Brahma agreed to send the Ganga.

But there was a problem: the Ganga was so mighty that her fall from heaven would break the earth! So Bhagiratha prayed again — this time to Shiva. Shiva agreed to catch the river in his thick, matted hair. When the Ganga came rushing down, Shiva held her in his locks and let her out gently in little streams.

Bhagiratha walked ahead in his chariot and the Ganga followed him across the land, all the way to the sea, where she washed over the ashes of his ancestors and freed their souls. That is why the Ganga is also called Bhagirathi, and a great, never-give-up effort is called "Bhagiratha prayatna".

What we learn

• Never give up — keep trying until you succeed.
• Ask for help when a task is too big for you, as Bhagiratha asked Shiva.
• We should care for our elders and ancestors.
• Keep our rivers clean — they are sacred.

A shloka to learn

Questions to talk about

• Why did Bhagiratha want to bring the Ganga to earth?
• Why did Shiva catch the Ganga in his hair?
• What does "Bhagiratha prayatna" mean?
• How can we help keep our rivers clean?

Parents and teachers: read the story aloud, then talk about the questions together. Let children retell it in their own words.

Frequently asked questions