![]() But the sage Vashishtha 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. However, the Vasu Dyaus was cursed to live a long life and not to have a wife or have children. So she released the seven of them from human life by drowning them all. However, when they pacified him, he limited his curse and told them that they would be freed from this curse upon their birth as humans. Then she told him that their eight children were Eight Vasu's who were cursed by Vasishtha to be born on earth as mortal humans. Finally, Ganga explained to King Shantanu about Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and her. When Ganga was about to drown the eighth son, Shantanu, devastated, could not restrain himself and confronted her. One by one, seven sons were born and drowned by Ganga. ![]() Shantanu could not ask her the reason, because of his promise, lest she would leave him. They married and later she gave birth to a son. She agreed but with one condition: that Shantanu would never ask any questions about her actions. Shantanu saw a beautiful woman on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) and asked her to marry him. Shantanu stops Ganga from drowning their eighth child, who later was known as Bhishma. Bahlika who was elder than Shantanu also gave permission to him for becoming the king of Hastinapura. Pratipa then installed Shantanu as king of Hastinapura and retired into the woods to perform penances. He was named Shantanu because when he was born his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances. He then proposed that she marry his son, to which she agreed.Ī child was born to Pratipa and his wife Sunanda in their old age. ![]() Pratipa however refused since he had taken a vow not to lust for anybody, and also that she had sat on his right thigh and according to traditions a man's right thigh was for his daughter or daughter-in-law while the left thigh was for his wife. When he asked her what she wanted, Ganga requested him to become her husband. At that time Ganga took the form of a beautiful woman, approached the king and sat on his right thigh. The Kuru king Pratipa was once meditating. Mahabhisha then requested Brahma that he, Mahabhisha, be born as the son of Kuru king Pratipa and his wish was granted by Brahma. Ganga who also relished the mortal act was cursed to be born as human and come back only after breaking Mahabhisha's heart. Upon seeing this act, Brahma lost his temper and cursed him to be born a mortal. Everybody present there bent their heads except Mahabhisha who kept gazing at her. While the celestials were worshipping Brahma, a wind blew and displaced Ganga's clothes revealing her body. Once he got an opportunity to visit the court of Brahma where all the Devas and the Ganga were also present. He possessed many virtuous qualities, and after performing a thousand Ashvamedha Yagnas and a hundred Rajasuya Yagnas (to qualify as emperor), he had attained heaven after his death. In his previous birth, there was a powerful king of the Ikshvaku dynasty named Mahabhisha. Therefore, this monarch was called Santanu.īrahma's curse and the birth of Shantanu The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharata says that the old men of his kingdom who were touched by this monarch not only felt an indescribable sensation of pleasure but also became restored to youth. Monier-Williams translates śaṁ-tanu as "wholesome for the body". The meaning of the name can be explained by nirukti available in Adi Parva, through which Sri Nityānanda Miśra elaborates its meaning as "the one who amplifies sukha (happines) for others".
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