M105 - Shantanu meets Goddess Ganga

One day, as Shantanu was wandering along the bank of the Ganges, he came across a region frequently visited by Siddhas and Charanas. There he saw a lovely maiden of blazing beauty and decked with celestial ornaments, and attired in garments of fine texture that resembled in splendour the filaments of the lotus. With steadfast gaze he seemed to be drinking her charms, but repeated draughts failed to quench his thirst. Enchanted by her looks, he approached her and asked her who she was

and asked her to marry him. She agreed but with one condition that Santanu would not ask any questions about her actions. Shantanu accepted her condition and married her, without knowing her identity. She conducted herself with dignity and the couple had a happy living. After sometime, a child was born to them. Immediately after giving birth to the child, Ganga carried the child to the Ganga and drowned it in the river. Though shocked by this cruel act, Shantanu had to restrain himself from questioning her, since he was bound by the word he had given her before marrying her.

Ganga drowned her second child also and then went on to drown the next five children too. When Ganga was about to drown the eighth son, Shantanu, devastated, could not restrain himself and confronted her. Ganga said that she won’t drown the eighth child but told him that she had to leave him since he had, in violation of his promise, questioned her action. She then finally revealed to King Shantanu about Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and her. Then she told him that their eight children were Eight Vasus who were cursed by Vasishtha to be born on earth as mortal humans. However the Vasu Dyu was cursed to live a long life and to never have a wife or have children. But the sage also gave a boon to him that he would be virtuous, conversant with all the holy scriptures and will be an obedient son to his father. that she will take him to the heavens to train him properly for the King's throne and status. With these words she disappeared along with the child while Shantanu was struck with grief thinking about spending the rest of his life without her.

Shantanu, filled with grief from the loss of his wife and son, began to practise Brahmacharya and ruled his kingdom extremely well. By merely adopting virtuous behaviour, Shantanu was easily able to conquer the entire world without lifting weapons. All the kings declared Shantanu as Emperor and his reign was a peaceful one. Shantanu gave up hunting and gained popularity from his subjects.

One day, while walking along the banks of the Ganga, Shantanu saw that the river had become shallow. While searching for the cause of this phenomenon, he came across a handsome young boy who had checked the river's flow with his celestial weapon. The young boy was his son however he didn't recognize this because of only having seen him for a few moments after his birth.

 The boy recognized that he was his father however didn't reveal it to him instead disappearing in his very sight using his powers of illusion. Shantanu upon seeing this, wondered whether the boy was actually his son and called upon Ganga to show the boy to him. Ganga thus appeared. She then revealed to him that the boy was actually his son Devavrata(later known as Bhishma) and that he was taught the knowledge of the holy scriptures by the sage Vasishtha and the art of warfare by Parshurama. Santhanu tried to persuade Ganga to accompany them, but she held steadfast in her refusal, as her earthly duties were over and she was anxious to return to her celestial abode. Though he could not persuade his wife to accompany him, Shantanu was very much overjoyed upon being reunited with his son. He was famed for his honesty, as having never uttered an untruth, or improper words on anger. The people of the kingdom loved prince Devaratha very much and were eagerly awaiting the day when he would be the king. Few years passed. Shantanu was very happy after a long time. He spent most of his time with his son, teaching him the intricacies of statecraft, preparing him to rule the kingdom which will one day be his.