Bhagiratha

Bhagiratha leaves his kingdom to his ministers and practises penance for a thousand years until Brahma grants his wish. Brahma warns that only Shiva can bear the river's fall, so Bhagiratha does penance again to win Shiva's help.

Shiva catches the Ganga in his hair and releases her gently. She follows Bhagiratha's chariot across the land and down to the underworld, where her waters touch the ashes of Sagara's sons and lift them to heaven. A great persistent effort is still called a Bhagiratha prayatna.