Note 105 — Chapter I · NATURE POWERS.
Reading edition
By some Hindus it is believed that the milky way is a heavenly river which is a favourite bathing place of the gods.105 Others suppose it to be a branch of the celestial Ganges which is said to have been brought down upon this earth by king Bhagiratha.106 Some persons, however, believe that since the great sage Agastya is said to reside at Rámeshwar in the southern direction, the Ganges (the milky way) runs through the sky to the south in order to bathe him. Sometimes the milky way is believed to be a white cloud.107