Narada Puranam describes the Origin of Holy River Ganga on this Earth.
Lord Yama explains to the King Bhagiratha about righteousness, sins and the punishment for ths sins committed in the Hell and the types of Hell. Finally, Lord Yama discloses the fact that King Bhagiratha's ancestors were suffering from the tortures in the Hell. If the Holy River Ganga was brought down from heaven, She would help them liberate from Hell. Once the Holy River Ganga touches the ashes of his ancestors, they would be freed. Lord Yama instructed the King that his righteousness would provide success in his endevour.
King Bhagiratha went to the banks of river Godavari (Himalayas - In Matsya Puranam) for performing severe penance. There was a hermitage of Sage Bhrigu in the middle of the forest. King Bhagiratha requested Sage Bhrigu who was well versed in Dharma and Sastras, taught the way to worship Lord Vishnu. Sage Bhrigu advised him to associate with the righteous people and the King already a man of all the virtues and his righteousness would bring all the merits by worshipping Lord Vishnu. The righteousness are: telling truth without contradicting reality, not harming the living beings, understanding and realising presence of God in everything, understanding the very fact of He is Cause and Effect. King Bhagiratha learned the sastras and dharmas from Sage Bhrigu and went to the Himalayas for performing Tapasya.
The King chose Nadeshwara, the place where Ganga began her journey for his Tapasya . For Several years, he performed Tapasya by offering fruits, flowers and leaves to Lord Vishnu. During these years he consumed only fruits. Later, he practised Pranayama and continued his Tapasya for sixty thousand years. As a result, the smoke started to blow out of his nostrils. The Tapasya in extreme climates of the Himalayas was an herculian task. The deities were shocked to see the penance of Bhagiratha and prayed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu consoled them and informed them that Bhagiratha would not do Tapasya with an evil intention.
Lord Vishnu, who was aware of the King's intention appeared infront of him, though Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are one and the same, He instructed the King to Pray to Lord Shiva who could provide a boon to bring the holy river Ganga on this Earth. King Bhagiratha continued his Tapasya for several thousand years. The most pleased Lord Shiva appeared in front of him and offered him with a boon. As a result, the Holy river Ganga started to follow the King. The King Bhagiratha led the Ganga to the hermitage of Sage Kapila where his ancestors' ashes were laid. With the magical touch of the Holy River Ganga, all his ancestors got liberated from Hell and attained salvation.
(In Matsya Puranam, Lord Brahma instructed King Bhagiratha to pray to Lord Shiva for the boon.)
Lord Vishnu, who was aware of the King's intention appeared infront of him, though Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are one and the same, He instructed the King to Pray to Lord Shiva who could provide a boon to bring the holy river Ganga on this Earth. King Bhagiratha continued his Tapasya for several thousand years. The most pleased Lord Shiva appeared in front of him and offered him with a boon. As a result, the Holy river Ganga started to follow the King. The King Bhagiratha led the Ganga to the hermitage of Sage Kapila where his ancestors' ashes were laid. With the magical touch of the Holy River Ganga, all his ancestors got liberated from Hell and attained salvation.
(In Matsya Puranam, Lord Brahma instructed King Bhagiratha to pray to Lord Shiva for the boon.)
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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