M104 - Birth of Santanu and his Brothers

About this time King Pratipa, the ruler of Hastinapur and the light of the Kuru race, was engaged, along with his wife Sunanda, in austerities from desire of offspring. King Pratipa, had sons name Devapi and Bahlika. As they had grown old, a son was born unto them. The child was called Santanu (incarnation of Mahabhishak) because he was born when his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances. Santhanu, knowing that region of indestructible bliss can be acquired by one's deeds alone, became devoted to virtue. When Santanu grew up into a youthful man, Pratipa addressed him and said, "Some time ago, O Santanu, a celestial damsel came to me for your good. If you meet that fair-complexioned one in secret and if she solicit you for children, accept her as your wife. Judge not of the propriety or impropriety of her action and ask not who she is, or whose or whence, but accept her as your wife at my command!".

Pratipa, having thus commanded his son Santanu and installed him on his throne as the ruler of Hastinapur. Devapi his elder brother retired to the forest, Shantanu became the king., Pratipa retired into the woods. King Santanu endued with great intelligence and equal unto Indra himself in splendour, became addicted to hunting and passed much of his time in the woods. The best of monarchs always slew deer and buffaloes.

 Once, when there was a drought for twelve years, Shantanu consulted the brahmanas, who then informed him, "Because you are enjoying the throne of your elder brother, you are at fault.
You should thus return the kingdom to Devapi". King Shantanu went to the forest and requested Devapi to take charge of the kingdom. However, some time before, Santanu’s minister, Ashvavara had instigated some brahmanas to induce Devapi to transgress the Vedic injunctions. As Devapi had become fallen due to leprosy, Shantanu asked him to return to power, he not only refused but also blasphemed the Vedic principles. As a result, Shantanu was reinstated upon the throne, and Indra was pleased to resume showering rain. Later on, Devapi took to the path of mystic yoga, and then went to live at Kalapagrama. Shantanu’s second elder brother Bahlika got gifted some newly-conquered land (this is the land Jarasandha gifted Bahlika for agreeing not to join Panchal in a war against Magdha) the land was given the name Bahlika as a result. Bahlika had a son named Somadatta, whose three sons were again Bhuri, Bhurishrava, and Shala.

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