A Story of Dvapar Yuga in Prose ( part-26)
By Lokanath Mishra
Bhishma, the grandsire (Pitamah) of the Hastinapura dynasty, was the most illustrious progenitor of that royal lineage. Therefore, it is appropriate to briefly recount the events of his life beginning from his birth up to the present narrative.
The Lineage of the Kuru Dynasty
King Samvarana of the Lunar (Soma) dynasty married Tapati, the daughter of the Sun-god Surya. Their son was named Kuru, and it was after him that the dynasty came to be known as the Kuru dynasty. Kuru’s son was Prithu; Prithu’s son was Pratipa; and Pratipa’s son was King Shantanu.
King Shantanu was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. In emulation of his chosen deity, he ruled the kingdom clad in matted locks, a loincloth, and an ascetic’s attire. During this period, the goddess Ganga was born on earth as the daughter of a feudal lord named Nirghata.
When Ganga came of age, Nirghata raised the question of her marriage. However, Ganga declared that she would marry none other than Mahadeva (Lord Shiva). Around this time, King Shantanu was travelling across his kingdom. From the palace terrace, Ganga caught sight of him and was instantly overwhelmed with joy. Seeing his ash-smeared body, tiger-skin garment, matted hair, and trident in hand, she mistook him for Trilochana (Shiva himself). She then expressed to her father her desire to marry him.
Nirghata approached King Shantanu with a proposal for his daughter’s hand. Shantanu, enchanted by Ganga’s extraordinary beauty, agreed to the marriage. The wedding rituals commenced, with Sage Durvasa officiating as the chief priest.
The Wedding and the Condition
During the chanting of mantras, Sage Durvasa asked Shantanu about his lineage. Shantanu replied that he belonged to the Soma clan, his father was Pratipa, his grandfather Prithu, and his great-grandfather Kuru. Upon hearing this, Ganga refused to proceed with the marriage. She declared:
“Sadashiva has no lineage or clan. This man is not Pinaki (Shiva). Therefore, I will not marry him.”
However, the ritual of kanyadaan (the formal offering of the bride) had already been completed. After much pleading by her father Nirghata, Ganga agreed to marry Shantanu—but only on one strict condition:
Shantanu must never question her actions nor disobey her commands.
(Elsewhere, it is described that Shantanu met Ganga on the riverbank in her divine feminine form, proposed marriage, and accepted similar conditions.)
Ganga declared her vows in poetic form, saying that no matter how grave her actions, Shantanu must neither reprimand her nor object, must never insult her, must always protect her, must always call her “Ganga” and never “Gangi,” or else she would leave for Kashi (Varanasi).
Reluctantly, Shantanu agreed, and the marriage was solemnized.
Ganga’s Disturbing Conduct
Soon after, Ganga’s conduct became increasingly unbearable. She deliberately disrupted Shantanu’s religious observances. Though Shantanu was a Rajarshi—performing royal duties while strictly observing ascetic disciplines—Ganga forced him to eat on sacred fasting days such as Nirjala Ekadashi. On forbidden days, she compelled him into sensual indulgence. Yet, whenever Shantanu expressed affection, she pushed him away.
She threw his ritual implements—ladles, staffs, water pots—into fire. She physically abused sages, pulled their hair, tore their garments, and insulted Shantanu mercilessly, calling him weak and foolish.
Still, Shantanu endured everything in silence, bound by his vow and his love for her.
The Killing of the Sons
After some time, Ganga became pregnant. In due course, she gave birth to a son. Overjoyed, Shantanu rushed to the maternity chamber. Before he could reach the child, Ganga seized the newborn, went to the riverbank, and drowned the infant in the Ganga before Shantanu’s eyes.
Shantanu was consumed by rage and grief, yet restrained himself, reasoning that if a mother could kill her own child without remorse, he must endure it due to his vow.
This horrific act repeated itself. Ganga drowned seven sons, one after another, immediately after their birth. Despite this, Shantanu remained silent, though deeply tormented.
The Eighth Son and the Breaking of the Vow
When Ganga gave birth to the eighth son, Shantanu arrived and stood motionless, resigned to fate. Ganga urged him to come and see the child, stating that merely seeing a son grants salvation and absolves one of the sin of childlessness.
Shantanu approached and was instantly overcome with paternal love upon seeing the beautiful, radiant child. As he extended his hands to embrace him, Ganga raised a dagger to kill the infant.
At that moment, Shantanu’s patience shattered. He seized Ganga’s hand holding the dagger and lifted the child with his other hand. He cursed her bitterly, condemning her cruelty and wishing upon her the burden of all sins in the world.
Enraged and heartbroken, Shantanu struck Ganga. This was precisely what Ganga had awaited.
She declared:
“O Shantanu, you have broken your vow. I now leave you. From this moment, I am no longer your wife.”
As she prepared to depart, Shantanu begged her to reveal the reason behind the killing of their sons.
The Secret of the Eight Vasus
Ganga then revealed the truth.
In ancient times, Sage Vasishtha was performing penance in a magnificent forest hermitage on Mount Meru. The eight Vasus once visited the hermitage during Vasishtha’s absence and, tempted by desire, stole Kamadhenu, the divine cow. The Vasu named Dyu personally led the theft.
Upon discovering this, Vasishtha cursed them to be born as mortals. Terrified, the Vasus returned Kamadhenu and begged forgiveness. Vasishtha relented partially, reducing their earthly suffering. Seven Vasus would be freed immediately after birth, but the eighth—Dyu—would live a long mortal life, devoid of worldly pleasures, yet would achieve great fame and ultimately return to heaven.
Vasishtha directed them to seek refuge in Ganga, who agreed to give them birth and grant liberation.
Thus, Ganga explained, she had drowned the first seven sons to release them from the curse.
Ganga’s Departure and Bhishma’s Return
Shantanu pleaded with Ganga to at least raise the eighth child until he was capable of standing on his own. Ganga agreed, took the child, and vanished.
Years later, Shantanu encountered a young warrior damming the Ganga with arrows. Ganga appeared, holding the youth’s hand, and introduced him:
“Maharaja Shantanu, this is your son Devavrata.”
She revealed that Devavrata had mastered all scriptures and weapons under Sage Vasishtha. She entrusted him to his father, kissed him farewell, and disappeared into the river.
Shantanu returned to Hastinapura with his son. With great ceremony, Devavrata—the son of Ganga—was crowned as the crown prince of Hastinapura.
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Thus was born Devavrata, later renowned as Bhishma, the eternal pillar of the Kuru dynasty.
( to be continued)