Jahnu gave his kingdom to his son and retired to a quiet spot to do austerities (tapas). However, cosmic events disturbed his meditations. King Bhagiratha had been successful in his austerities to get Siva‘s help in bringing the sacred river Ganga to earth. And when it came, it flooded Jahnu’s hermitage (asrama). Jahnu used some of his powers (siddhis) and drank up the Ganga. Bhagiratha had to come to Jahnu and persuade him to allow the Ganga to flow again. So Jahnu pushed Gangadevi out of his ear.