RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN
CHAPTER 41
AMSUMAN’S QUEST
Sagara waited for his 60000 sons to return for a long time. Then he decided to send his grandson. “You are very brave and well-educated. You are like your forefathers in power and energy. Bring me news of your parents. And also bring news of who had gone away with the horse. The beings inhabiting the interior of the earth are very powerful. Arm yourself with bow and sword. Offer reverence to those who deserve it. And don’t spare anyone who might prevent you. I must complete this sacrifice. Come back to me with good news.” Thus Sagara sent his grandson on his quest.
Amsuman set out on his quest. He was armed with his sword and bow. He soon came upon the path dug into the bowels of the earth. He took that way and soon came upon the Dig-gaja. Daityas, Danavas, Rakshasas, Pisachas, Pannagas, and Uragas honoured Dig-gaja. He went around it. He respectfully asked for news about his fathers. And he also asked news of the horse-thief. The Elephant answered that he would soon return back with success. The other Elephants who he came upon confirmed the news. They all said, “You shall soon come back with the horse.” He hastened to where his ill-starred fathers lay. His heart burst with grief at the sight of the heap of ashes. In a loud voice, he cried the fate of his uncles. The sacrificial horse was grazing innocently.
He desired to offer libations of water to the manes. But he could not find water anywhere. He cast his eyes. He found the uncle of his uncles, the Garuda. Garuda spoke to him, “Do not grieve, noble son. They deserved their death. They perished because of their pride. They were burnt to ashes by the glances of Kapila. For your forefathers, the earthly water would not do as libations. Ganga is the eldest daughter of Himavan. Ganga is the all-purifying stream. Only it could wash the sins of these who lie as a heap of ashes. And it would also lift them to the Abode of the Blessed. Take the horse back with you. And enable your grandfather to complete the sacrifice.
And Ansuman obeyed him. Soon he stood before his grandfather. And he told what had happened to his sons. He told him about the advice of Garuda. Sagara listened to the terrible news. With a breaking heart, he hastened to complete the rites. He returned to his capital. But he could not decide as to how to bring the Celestial Ganga to the earth. In remorse, he passed away to the Regions of the Immortals. And his reign on earth was 32,000 years.
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