CHAPTER NINE
The Dynasty of Arnsuman

This chapter describes the history of the dynasty of Amsuman, up to
Khatvanga, and it also describes how Bhagiratha brought the water of the
Ganges to this earth.

The son of Maharaja Amsuman was Dilipa, who tried to bring the
Ganges to this world but who died without success. Bhagiratha, the son of
Dilipa, was determined to bring the Ganges to the material world, and for
this purpose he underwent severe austerities. Mother Ganges, being fully
satisfied by his austerities, made herself visible to him, wanting to give
him a benediction. Bhagiratha then asked her to deliver his forefathers.
Although mother Ganges agreed to come down to earth, she made two
conditions: first, she wanted some suitable male to be able to control her
waves; second, although all sinful men would be freed from sinful reac-
tions by bathing in the Ganges, mother Ganges did not want to keep all
these sinful reactions. These two conditions were subject matters for con-
sideration. Bhagiratha replied to mother Ganges, “The Personality of
Godhead Lord Siva will be completely able to control the waves of your
water, and when pure devotees bathe in your water, the sinful reactions
left by sinful men will be counteracted.” Bhagiratha then performed
austerities to satisfy Lord Siva, who i is called Asutosa because he is
naturally satisfied very easily. Lord Siva agreed to Bhagiratha’s proposal
to check the force of the Ganges. In this way, simply by the touch of the
Ganges, Bhagiratha’s forefathers were delivered and allowed to go to the
heavenly planets.

The son of Bhagiratha was Sruta, the son of Sruta was Nabha, and
Nabha’s son was Sindhudvipa. The son of Sindhudvipa was Ayutayu, and
the son of Ayutayu was Rtiparna, who was a friend of Nala. Rtdiparna
gave Nala the art of gambling and learned from him the art of asva-
vidyd. The son of Rtiparna was known as Sarvakéma, the son of
Sarvakama was Sudasa, and his son was Saudasa. The wife of Saudasa
was named Damayanti or Madayanti, and Saudasa was also known as
