Bhagirath (14)--Notable Mortals Who Lived Through Most of the Four Eras

(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

Opening Note : This write-up in installments, is intended to drive home the sole point, hitherto ignored by the historians with utter impunity, that Ramayan and Mahabharat periods were only couple of years apart, almost extending into each other. The study is based on the evidences from 18 Mahapuranas and 18 Uppuranas, along with other Ancient Indian scriptures. Here is the list of at least 106 notable personalities who were alive and present in these two epic periods and even beyond and prior to these periods.  I am confident that one day this truth will have to be accepted by savants of history and general public interested in the study of Ancient India.

Here is Bhagirath, one among 116 mortals, who found references in the texts of  Ramayan, Mahabharat & Puranas.  A careful, meticulous and sincere study of these ancient literary composition reveals that most of such notables not merely find references in, but they actively interacted with the other people living through periods of Ramayan & Mahabharat.

 

 

14. Bhagirath—Bhagirath, son of Anshuman, was a king in Ikshwaku lineage of Suryavanshi kings who ruled Ayodhya. He was instrumental in bringing river Ganga to the earth.

Ganga Avtaran, Bhagirath

After entrusting Asmanjas with the duty of performing the funeral rites of 60,000 sons Sagar expired. Asmanjas transferred that duty on to Anhsuman, and he transferred it to his son Bhagirath. Bhagirath did penance on the seashore concentrating his mind on Gangadevi. The Devi appeared before Bhagirath and asked him to choose what boon he would, and he requested the Devi to help him perform the funeral rites of 60,000 sons of Sagar remaining in the form of ashes in Patal. To this Gangadevi replied that the earth will not be able to withstand the impact of her powerful flow, but she shall, if Shiv permits, flow into his matted hair. Gangadevi asked Bhagirath to first get the permission of Shiv. Bhagirath went to mount Kailash to do penance so that Shiv might grant him his prayer. Shiv appeared to him and agreed to receive the rushing flow of Ganga water on his matted head. Ganga was lost in his matted hair so Bhagirath once again pleased Shiv. Shiv shook his matted head and one drop of water fell on the ground, and that is the river Ganga in North India. The Ganga flowed along Patal and so he could perform the funeral rites of Sagar's sons.[1] Shiv bestowed upon him many boons including flow of Ganga.[2]

Bhagirath was also a member of Yam's assembly and served him.[3]

He married his daughter named Hamsi to Kautas, a noble Brahman scholar.[4] Kautas was present as one of Ritvij at the Sarpa-satra (sacrificial fire to kill serpents) of Janamejay.[5] In addition to Kautas the other prominent Ritvijs were Jaimini, Sarangarav, Pingal, Vyas, Uddalak, Pramatak, Shwetketu, Asit, Deval, Narad, Parvat, Atrey, Kund, Jathar, Kaalghat, Vatsay, Jap, Shrutshrava, Kohal, Devsharma, Mudgalya and Samsaurabh.[6]

Bhagirath did name recitation of Shri Krishan at Himalaya, on the advice of Bhrigu rishi.[7]

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[1] Mahabharat, Van Parv, Adhyay 108.

Valmiki Ramayan, Baal Kand, Sarg 42-43.

Brahmand Puran, Adhyay 97.

Bhagvat Puran, Skandh 9, Adhyay 8-9.

[2] Mahabharat, Van Parv, Adhyay 180, Shlok 1.

[3] Mahabharat, Sabha Parv, Adhyay 8, Shlok 11.

[4] Mahabharat, Anushasan Parv, Adhyay 137, Shlok 26.

[5] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 53, Shlok 6.

[6] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 53, Shlok 7-10.

[7] Narad Puran, Khemraj Shrikrishan Das, Shri Vainkateshwar Printing Press, Bombay, Purv Bhaag, Pratham Paad, Adhyay 15, Shlok 68.