Search

She approached the king and said, “Here is the eighth son whom we conceived together. Instructed by ṛṣis such as Vasiṣṭa, Shukra and Paraśurāma, he has become proficient in all aspects of Vedic knowledge and is expert in arms and warfare.”

He was loved by the citizens and ruled the world with justice and compassion. simply placed his hand on someone, that person would immediately be relieved of all material pains and

In due course, the Vasus fell from heaven and Gaṅgā left for earth. Her features were flawless and she was adorned with fine silk robes as beautiful as the filaments of His mouth dropped open and he could not take his eyes from her.

Gaṅgā stopped by the river bank and turned toward Śantanu. O King, take the child and raise him as your son. He will doubtlessly bring glory to your line.

The Vasus soon learned of the curse and went before the ṛṣi, remorsefully returning the cow and begging He will be virtuous, powerful and learned in the Vedas, but he will not beget offspring.

Gaṅgā was also attracted to the handsome monarch, and she returned his gaze, her dark eyes meeting his and sending a thrill through his body. to her, Śantanu said, “O beautiful one, whether you are a goddess, a Gandharvi, a Dānava, an Asura, or

Each year for seven years a boy was born, and each time Gaṅgā took the child to the river and cast him

He brought her back to Hastināpura and the marriage ceremony was performed that day.

pursued a deer along the river bank he noticed that the river water, which had previously been deep and The king was astonished at this remarkable feat and gazed at the youth, trying to ascertain his identity The boy suddenly disappeared, and the king, suspecting that it was his son, said to the river, “O Gaṅgā

Dyau had assented to his wife’s request and, with his brothers’ assistance, had stolen the cow. Understanding by his mystic power that the Vasus were responsible, he touched holy water and uttered

The Vasus asked Gaṅgā to go to earth as a woman and become their mother as they did not wish to enter

“O King, I will become your wife and obey your commands, but I will make one condition: you must not interfere with my acts, whether they are agreeable or not.

Understanding the situation, and realizing that everything had been ordained by destiny, Śantanu tried

Although horrified, Śantanu remembered Gaṅgā’s conditions and kept silent, not wanting to lose her.

During his long life he performed great sacrifices and, as a result, ascended to Indra’s abode at the

Mahavisha thought for a moment, remembering all the monarchs on earth. Among them all he considered a king named Pratipa …

Gaṅgā, having seen Mahavisha’s unashamed attraction for her, left the assembly thinking of him. As she went away she came …

Gaṅgā was delighted. Śantanu would be an incarnation of Mahavisha. She smiled. “I will surely become your mother. Go where …

Gaṅgā then revealed her identity to the mystified king. She told him about Vasiṣṭha’s cursing of the Vasus. “I have …

Gaṅgā then vanished, leaving the boy with Śantanu. The king took him back to the city, where he would later …