King Santanu’s Reign

Towards the middle of Dvapara Yuga, the king of Hastinapura (India’s capital) was Santanu. Santanu fell in love with the beautiful personification of the Ganga River. Santanu was so enamored by her beauty that he married her. She only accepted this marriage proposal if he vowed not to question any of her actions. Santanu agreed blindly and married her. Soon after their marriage, Santanu and Ganga produced a child. While Santanu and Hastinapura were celebrating the birth of their first child, Ganga drowned the first child in the water. Bound by the condition Ganga put forth before marriage, Santanu could not question her. In this manner, she drowned seven children in total. When the eighth child was born, Santanu intervened and questioned her. Ganga explained to Santanu how the eight children were actually eight Vasus cursed to be born on earth. The eight Vasu was cursed to live a long and difficult life on earth. As ordained by the curse and Santanu feeling pity for the child, Ganga reassured Santanu that the eight child will be sent to the heavenly planets and be fully educated for some time. After training is completed, he will return and live with Santanu. After nearly twenty years, Ganga returned back on earth to present Santanu their eighth son, who was named Devavrata. Devavrata was entrusted to Santanu and Ganga returned to her abode.

Devavrata was soon to be declared the new crowned prince of Hastinapura. To celebrate this event, King Santanu took a hunting trip to the forest. As he was in search for his prey, he found a beautiful girl who was paddling passengers across the river on her boat. This beautiful girl is Satyavati, the daughter of a nearby fisherman. Santanu took frequent rides with Satyavati as they both fell in love. Satyavati requested that he request her father for marriage. Santanu met with the fisherman to discuss potential marriage planning. The fisherman would allow Satyavati to marry Santanu if Santanu declares Satyavati’s children to be heir apparent to the throne. Santanu was immediately upset, as he promised Devavrata to be the new king of Hastinapura. Santanu was dejected and upset and would not come home until very late in the night. Devavrata, being a devoted son, would often wonder what the cause of his father’s sadness could be. Devavrata decided to find out for himself. He found the fisherman and found out the real cause of his father’s distress. Devavrata, in order to please his father and act in favor of what fate has determined, made a terrible vow not to be accept the throne, remain a bachelor (as being a bachelor would prevent him from having any children), and serve the king of the throne seeing the father’s image. When Santanu learned of his son’s terrible vow and powerful sacrifice, he renamed his son, Bhisma (“the terrible one”). In addition, Santanu gave Bhisma a boon that he will live forever. He will not die unless he is willing to die. Santanu and Satyavati were married. Even though Santanu had married the person of his dreams, his heart was filled with grief and discontent, as his son was the victim of injustice. Even the citizens of Hastinapura were upset at Bhisma’s vow. Santanu and Satyavati had two children, Citrangada and Vicitravirya. Santanu, still, lived the remainder of his life in grief. Toward his last days, he entrusted the care of Satyavati, Citrangada, and Vicitravirya to Bhisma and passed away. Santanu’s final rites were conducted per scriptural injunction. In addition, a new family priest, named Krpacarya, was hired as the royal priest of the Bharatas.