The Geography of the Puranas c8.78

c8.78

At the same time, Lord Śankara saw that King Bhagīratha had grown pale and thin on account of hunger and thirst, because of his love for his river. Lord Śankara who was pleased with the King, took pity on him and changed His anger to a boon (34). Having realised the strong desire of King Bhagīratha, the Tripathagā started flowing (35). And the current of that river divided itself into seven streams. Three of them went towards the east and three towards the west (36). In this way the entire course of the river Gaṅgā divided into seven parts. Nalinī, Hrādinī and Pavanī, went towards the east, Sītā, Chakṣu, Sindhu went towards the west. The seventh current of them, went towards the south under the name of Bhāgīrathī (37). This Bhāgīrathī entered the Lavana Sea. But all these offer devotion to Himādri Varṣa (40).¹⁰