Apasmāra

 Devavratha(Bhishma) after reaching Hastinapura along with Satyavathi, Bhishma narrated the events to his father . Hearing this, King Shantanu was rendered speechless with his admiration for his son. He embraced his son and said, "O Bhishma, You have made such a great sacrifice for the sake of my happiness. As long as this world lasts, your fame shall remain undiminished. I grant you a boon that death shall not be able to approach you, till such a time that you yourself desire to die. Old age shall not slow your limbs, nor confuse your wits. You will be a matchless warrior all your life, watching over the welfare of the Kurus." In return, the King got his son's promise that as long as the Kurus were under a threat, Bhishma would not choose death. Prince Devavrata thus transformed himself into Bhishma, a man of sacrifice who would devote his entire life to safeguard the rulers of Hasthinapura. The marriage of Satyavati and Shantanu was duly celebrated. Two sons were ...

As Santhanu becoming listless day by day, Devavratha have been alarmed by these signs. The prince was very much troubled when he saw that some care was weighing heavily upon Shantanu's mind. Being the soul of tact, he did not want to ask his father directly. He was sure that his father would have confided in him, had confidence been possible. Instead, he questioned the charioteer and ministers of his father who accompanied to the places his father had visited recently. He at once perceived that among the places that his father had been recently, the only unusual place was that of the chief of the fishermen, Dhusharaj. He went there himself and upon beholding Satyavathi, immediately perceived that this maiden must be the cause of his father's listlessness. What he could not understand was that having fallen in love with this woman, why his father had not been able to take her as his wife. He met the Satyavathi's father and enquired as to why the marriage was ...

Four years after Ganga left her child Devavrata with King Shantanu, ruler of Hasthinapur, when Shantanu while travelling near the banks of Yamuna , he perceived a sweet fragrance. When he went in pursuit of this scent, he found that the fragrance was emanating from a young woman of exquisite beauty.  Santanu went to her and asked her who she was. She said that her name was Satyavati,  the daughter of the Chief of the  fisherme. Upon seeing her, Shantanu fell in love with her and desired to her. He immediately asked her to be his wife. Satyavati would not return an immediate answer, but asked the king to address this question to her father. When the chief of fishermen, Dhusharaj  returned shortly, the king requested his permission to pay his addresses to Satyavati. The fisherman thought for a while and said, "O King! I am very much honored that you have expressed a wish to marry my daughter. Indeed, it is impossible to think of a more worthy groom for her. Howe...

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 qu...