With the passing away of Sagara, the ministers installed Anshuman as the king who proved to be noble. Born of him was Dilipa a worthy son of great repute known for his righteousness. Anshuman passing on his crown to Dilipa retired to the Himalayas where he performed a great penance for thirty two thousand years and later reached the heavens. Dilipa though mighty found no way to bring down the sacred waters of the Ganga, to earth.He brooded and deeply regretted his inability to find salvation for the souls of his grand sires. To him was born a son, Bhagiratha. After ruling the earth for thirty thousand years Dilipa too passed on reaching heaven by merit of his righteousness. Bhagiratha, heir to the Ikshvaku throne was without children.Determined to bring Ganga down into the world, he went to that holy place known as Gokarna and began a rigorous penance. Partaking of food once in thirty days, with all his senses under control, he practiced severe penance for thousands of years. When Brahma Prajapathi arrived with his armies of devatas and told Bhagiratha that he was pleased with his devotion Bhagiratha requested him, "May all the sons of Sagara, receiving funeral libations by me with the sacred water of the Ganges reach heaven and may I be blessed with a son."

Brahma now said that the force of the descent of that glorious and mighty river Ganga would prove too much for the earth to bear. He asked Bhagiratha to pray lord Siva to make the descent of Ganga bearable. Brahma also urged Ganga to grant the prayer of Bhagiratha's prayer.