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## Chapter 12: Uttara Purana of the Mahapurana
132. Hearing the words of Maniketu, those who were at the end of their physical forms, embraced austerity, seeking refuge in the Jina. This was indeed fitting for those who knew what was right.
133. Bhagiratha, having heard this, went to them, paid homage with devotion, and learned the Dharma as spoken by the Jina, accepting the vows of a Shravaka.
134. Maniketu, the friend of all, revealed his entire Maya to those sages, including Sagara, and said, "Forgive me."
135. "What offense is there? You have done what was beneficial and dear to us," they comforted Maniketu with words filled with joy, pacifying him.
136. The Devata, whose purpose was fulfilled, was pleased and ascended to heaven. It is through fulfilling the purposes of others that the great ones find satisfaction.
137. All those wise ones, having practiced austerity for a long time, reached the supreme state through Sammed Shikhar, attaining liberation through pure meditation.
138. Hearing of their liberation, Bhagiratha's mind was filled with sorrow. He entrusted his kingdom to Varadatta and went to Mount Kailasa, where he received initiation from the great sage Shiv Gupta. He then took up the practice of Pratimā Yoga on the banks of the Ganga.
139-140. Indra, the king of the gods, poured the water of the Milky Ocean over Bhagiratha's feet. The flow of this water merged with the Ganga. From that time onwards, the Ganga became a pilgrimage site in this world.
141. Having performed great austerities on the banks of the Ganga, Bhagiratha attained liberation.
## Chapter 1: Shārdūlavikridita
142. O Shrenik! In this world and the next, there is no one who is as beneficial as a friend, nor is there a brother greater than a friend. Even secrets that are not spoken to a guru or parents are shared with a friend. A friend, disregarding even his own life, fulfills even the most difficult tasks. Maniketu is a clear example of such a friend.