Bringing the River to Earth

Prince Bhagiratha wished to bring the heavenly river Ganga down to the earth to bless his people. But the river was so mighty that her fall would shatter the ground.

So Shiva offered to help. He stood calm and tall and let the great river land in his thick, tangled hair, where she wound through gently and flowed out as soft, life-giving streams.

Because of Bhagiratha's years of patient effort and Shiva's quiet strength, the Ganga has watered the land and its people ever since.