Formerly that foremost of virtuous men Bhishma, when observing the Pitrya vow, lived on the banks of the Bhagirathi with the Rishis. O king, O highly exalted one, it was a delightful and sacred region, situated on the source of the Ganges and frequented by the celestials and the Gandharvas.
पुरा भागीरथीतीरे भीष्मोधर्मभृतां वरः। पित्र्यं व्रतं समास्थाय न्यवसन्मुनिभिः सह॥ शुभे देशे तथा राजन् पुण्ये देवर्षिसेविते। गङ्गाद्वारे महाभाग देवगन्धर्वसेविते॥