Amshuman is the grandson of King Sagara. He follows his uncles' path into the earth, bows to the sage Kapila, brings back the sacrificial horse and spends his life seeking a way to free their souls.
Who was Amshuman?
After Sagara's sixty thousand sons are burned by Kapila, Amshuman goes after them. Humble where they were arrogant, he wins Kapila's favour and returns with the horse so that Sagara can finish his sacrifice.
Garuda tells him only the Ganga can purify his uncles' ashes. Amshuman and his son Dilipa both practise penance to bring her down but die before succeeding; the task falls to his grandson Bhagiratha.
In the Valmiki Ramayana
Amshuman appears in 3 sargas across 1 Kandas.
First appearsBala Kanda · Sarga 38: King Sagara's Sons
Amshuman's family
Often seen with Amshuman
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