Bâhuka, Sagara

His enemies dispossesed Bahuka of his kingdom. He went to the forest accompanied by his wives. When he died, the eldest queen prepared herself for death also. Rishi Aurva knew her to be big with child, and dissuaded her from accompanying her husband on to the funeral pyre. The co-wives of the queen, out of jealousy, gave her poison. The child was born with this poison, therefore he was called Sagara (Sa = with, gara = poison.) Sagara became a great king. The Seas were dug by his sons. He was prevented by Rishi Aurva from taking the lives of the Tâlajanghas, Yavanas, Sakas, Haihayas, and Barbars. But he made them change their outward look. He performed an Asvamedha sacrifice as advised by Aurva and Indra stole the sacrificial horse.

Sagara had two wives Sumati and Kesini. The 60 thousand sons of Sumati searched for the horse on all sides. They dug the earth's surface and made the Seas. They found the horse near Kapila. They took him to be the stealer of the horse and abused him. For this they were all burnt up.

Kesini had one son Asamanjas by Sagara. Anśumat was son of Asamanjas. He was attached to his grandfather Sagara. Asamanjas was a Yogin in his former birth. He therefore wanted to avoid company by means of provoking acts. He threw down some children into the Saraju. His father Sagara was thus compelled to forsake him. By Yogic powers, be brought back the children thrown into the Saraju, and left his father for ever.

Anśumat was also sent by Sagara to search for the horse. He found the horse and a heap of ashes near Kapila. He saluted Kapila and glorified him. The Avatâra was pleased. He permitted Anśumat to take away the horse. He also informed him that his burnt-up Pitris could only he saved by the water of the Gangâ.

Sagara completed the sacrifice with the horse. He made over the kingdom to Anśumat and attained Mukti.

Anśumat made Tapas for the downward flow of Gangâ but without success. He was followed by his son Dilipa. He also did not succeed. Bhagiratha was the son of Dilipa. He prayed hard and Gangâ appeared in person before him. "Child, I am pleased with thee. What boon do you ask for"? Bhagiratha told her what he prayed for. "But who shall arrest my course, when I fall down. If not arrested I will pierce the earth and reach Rasâtala. Again if I pass over earth, men will wash away their sins in my waters. Where shall I wash away those sins, O King? Therefore do thou ponder well what to do." Said Bhagiratha: — "The touch of Sâdhus shall take away thy sins. For Vishnu, the destroyer of sins, remains in them. Thy downward course shall be arrested by Rudra." Śiva was pleased by the prayer of Bhagiratha, and he consented to hold Gangâ.

Gangâ came rushing down and she was taken by Bhagiratha to where the ashes of his Pitris lay. The very touch of her waters purified the sons of Sagara and they went to Svarga.

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           Bâhuka
             |
           Sagara
m. Sumati    |              m. Kesini
--+----------+-------------------+--
  |                              |
60 thousand                  Asamanjas
   sons                          |
                             Anśumat
                                 |
                              Dilîpa
                                 |
                             Bhâgiratha
                                 |
                               Sruta
                                 |
                               Nâbha
                                 |
                             Sindhu Dvîpa
                                 |
                              Ayutâyu
                                 |
                              Rituparna (friend
                                 of Nala)
                                 |
                              Sarvakâma
                                 |
                               Sudâsa
                                 |
                            Soudâsa or Mitrasaha
                             or Kalmâshapada
                             m. Madayanti.