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Though
the ungovernable impetuous vehemence was tamed and lessened by Maheswar's mighty
many hair, Ganga still contained some of her boisterous nature. It was only in
the Himalayas, she was taught a lesson by Jahnu, a powerful sage. Unable to bear
the tumultuous march near his asram and upsetting the tranquility, he swallowed
the entire water in a single gulp. Seeing the disaster, Bhagiratha prayed to
Jahnu to release her to fulfilling his desire. Taking pity on Bhagiratha, Jahnu
released Ganga through his ear. So she is called Jahnavi. On the way again at
Haridwar, Saptarishis confined her in their Kamandal for disturbing their
meditation. When Bhagiratha propitiated them, she was released and divided into
seven streams to touch each of their hermitages.
She flowed again behind
Bhagiratha till she reached Gangasari, where 60,000 sons of Sagara were burnt.
By her touch they were emancipated. As she was brought to this world through the
penance of Bhagiratha, she is called Bhagirathi. In the course of her flow,
several other miracles happened, all but bring out her glory, due to purging off
the sins of the people. This story thus started in Vaikunta, ended in her
joining Ratnakara near Calcutta.
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