M103 - King Pratipa Vow to Ganga

Ganga, the queen of rivers, after getting in-terms with Ashta Vasus to be reborn as her children came to earth and awaited for the arrival of King Pratipa's son on the banks of  River Ganges

There was a king by the name Pratipa, he was the son of king Bhimasena and princess Sukumari of the Kaikeyas. He was kind to all creatures and spent many years in ascetic penances at the source of the river Ganga. The accomplished and lovely Ganga, assuming the form of a beautiful female, and rising from the waters, made up to the monarch. The celestial maiden, endued with ravishing beauty, approached the royal sage engaged in ascetic austerities, and sat upon his right thigh. When the king asked her what she wanted, Ganga said that she wanted him to marry her. Pratipa told her that the right thigh was the seat for the daughters and daughters in law while the left thigh was the seat for the wife. Since she had sat on his right lap, she couldn’t become his wife, he clarified. To refuse a woman coming of her own accord is never applauded by the wise. Therefore Pratipa told her that, he cannot enjoy her as an object of desire. Rather be his daughter-in-law which he will accept  for his son.

To which Ganga said, "O virtuous one, let it be as you say. Let me be united with your son. From my respect for you, I shall be a wife of the celebrated Bharata race. You are the refuge of all the monarchs on earth! I am incapable of numbering the virtues of this race even within a hundred years. The greatness and goodness of many celebrated monarchs of this race are limitless. O lord of all, let it be understood now that when I become your daughter-in-law, your son shall not be able to judge the propriety of my acts. Living thus with your son, I shall do good to him and increase his happiness. And he shall finally attain to heaven in consequence of the sons I shall bear him, and of his virtues and good conduct."

Having said so, the celestial Ganga disappeared then and there. And the king, too, waited for the birth of his son in order to fulfill his promise.
 

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