Bhagiratha was descended from the King Dileepa I. The ancestors of King Bhageeratha had been burnt to ashes by the great sage Kapila in the netherworld. Since no one had performed their funeral rites, they could not ascend to heaven. When Bhagirath came to know of this, he saught the advise of learned men, as to the means by which his ancestors could be freed from this state. Their advice was unequivocal, "Only the Sacred river Ganga, that flows in the heavens can wash away the sins of your ancestors. Unless you bring her down to the earth to wet the ashes of your ancestors, they will be eternally cursed". Accordingly Bhagirath started to perform a terrible penance. He underwent many agonizing trials and set-backs, but he perservered. At last he obtained the boon that Ganga would flow on earth. However, the earth could not stand the force of her flow, so he sought the help of Lord Shiva to control the river's flow. Shiva arrested major portion of the river in his matted locks and let only a small portion flow to the earth, thereby making it possible for the earth to bear the burden. Ganga washed away the sins, and helped the ancestors of Bhagirath to ascend to heaven. Since she was brought to earth by the efforts of Bhagirath, she is also called Bhagirathi. Bhagiratha was descended by the King Shrut.