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_—_—_—SlOe—— Havine in company with the ascetics passed the remainder of the night on the banks of the Sona, Vigwamitra, when the day broke, spake,—“O Rama, the night hath passed away, and the morn hath come. The hour for performing the prior devotions hath arrived. Arise ! arise ! good betide thee! Do thou prepare for going.” Hearing these words of his, Rama, having finished his morning devotions and rites, and ready for departure said,—‘This is the Sona, of excellent waters, fathomless, and studded with islets. O Brahmana, by which way shall we cross ?” Thus addressed by Rama, Vi¢wamitra replied,—‘Even this path hath been fixed upon by me,—that, namely, which the Maharsais go.’' Aud having proceeded far, when the day had been half spent they beheld that foremost of streams, the Jahnavi, worshipped by ascetics. And having beheld that river furnished with sacred waters, and frequented by swans and cranes, the ascetics who accompanied Raghava were exceedingly delighted. And they took up their quarters on the banks of the river. And then having bathed and duly offered oblations of water unto the gods and the manes of their ancestors,and performed Agnihotra* sacrifices, and partaken of * Sacrifice with burnt offering—T.

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clarified butter like unto nectar, those high-souled and auspicious ones, with glad hearts, sat down, surrounding Vigwamitra. And the descendants of Raghu also sat down, occupying prominent places as befitted their rank. Then Rama with a heart surcharged with cheerfulness spake unto Vigwimitra, saying.—‘O adorable one, I desire to hear how the Ganga flowing in three directions and embracing the three worlds, falls into the lord of streams and rivers.’’ Influenced by Rama's speech, the mighty ascetic Vigwamitra entered upon the history of the Gang4’s origin and progress, ‘QO Rama, that great mine of ore, Himavat is the foremost of mountains. Unto him were born two daughters, unparalleled on earth in loveliness. And, O Rama, their mother of dainty waist, the amiable daughter of Meru, named Meni, was the beloved wife of Himavat—she of whom was born Gang& the elder daughter of Himavat ; and, O Raghava, a second daughter was also born unto him, named Um&. And it came to pass that once upon a time, the deities, with the view of accomplishing some work appertaining to them as divine beings, in a body besought that foremost of mountains for that river flowing in three directions, Gang&. Thereupon, desirous of the welfare of the three worlds, Himavat in obedience to duty, conferred upon them his daughter flowing everywhere at will, and sanctifying all creatures. Thereat in the interests of the three worlds, accepting her, those having the welfare of the three worlds at heart, went away with Gangi, considering tl.emselves as having attained their desire. The other dazghter of the mountain, O descendant of Raghu, adopting a stern vow, began to carry on austerities, having asceticism for her wealth. And that best of mountains bestowed upon Rudra of unequalled form his daughter Umi, furnished with fiery asceticism, and worshipped of the worlds. And these,O R&ghava, are the daughters of that king of mountains, worshipped of all, z/s., Ganga, the foremost of streams, and the divine Um&. Now, O best a

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of those endowed with motion, have I related unto thee how that sin-destroying one flowing with her waters in three diverse directions, first, O child, went to the firmament and then ascended the celestial regions.”