Bhagiratha
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Bhagiratha was a king of the Solar Dynasty who rose to fame with the blessings of sage Ashtavakra buy later retired from the throne and practised penance in the Ganges.
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Bhagiratha, a king of the Solar Dynasty ascended the throne after the early retirement of his father. He was physically very weak and frail during the early years of his life. It was only after the benediction of the learned sage Ashtavakra that his weakness was gradually cured and with time he became physically very strong. Legend has it that he was marked as one of the five great emperors of ancient India. He was a very religious, judicious, learned, courageous emperor. It is said that after Mandhata, it was only him to whom all other kings of India bowed. His imperial sacrifice and horse sacrifice (Ashwamedh Yagna) marked his lordship over the other rulers. So great he was that he even refused to take any tribute from the subdued kings. He gifted others in abundance with slave girls, chariots, elephants, horse, cattle, goats, and sheep. He even willingly fulfilled the wishes of his people. His immense popularity made him rule for about forty years. Later he himself withdrew from the throne and left his kingdom in the hands of his able ministers. Bhagiratha repaired to the source of the Ganges in the north of the Himalayas. He wished to have offspring hence with his queen he retired to the Ganges. After some time to his delight a son was born to him. Legend has it that Bhagiratha is credited with bringing down the Ganges from the north to the Indian plains. It was said it was incorrect as at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, kings like Varuna, Soma and others performed various sacrifices. The Indus and the Saraswati were sacred to the Vedic Aryans and the Sarayu was sacred to the people of Kosala. Henceforth Bhagiratha declared the even Ganga would be sacred to all.
After Bhagiratha his son Prince Srutasena ascended to the throne. He was placed by the sages, people and the ministers during 1835 BC.
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