6: Behind the birth of Shantanu and Bhishma...

The chronological Mahabharatha series

Mahabhisha was a celebrated Ikshvaaku king who had attained the higher realms by dint of his generosity, dharmic nature and valour. One day, Mahabhisha accompanied many other sages, gandharvas, devas and apsaras to Brahmaloka. There they all paid respects to Brahmadeva. Devi Ganga also was present there and when a strong breeze swept through, her clothes were displaced, leaving her exposed.

Everyone looked away at once. Except for Mahabhisha who stared at Devi Ganga unblinking. A furious Brahma sent him back to Bhumi to get over his very human emotions and feelings and work his way back to heaven. The same Ganga who had distracted him would be conducive to him in his human birth, Brahma declared. Mahabhisha accepted his fate with grace and began to think of the kings who were worthy enough to be his father in his new life.

His attention came to Chandravamshi King Pratipa in the Kuru line. Pratipa was a kind, generous and courageous man, well aware of his duty to his people. Mahabhisha decided that this king would be the ideal father for him when he took birth on Bhumi.

After Brahma had cursed Mahabhisha, Ganga was left thinking about the king who had fallen from grace. As she made her way through the havens, she saw the Ashta Vasus falling down to the Earth from their place. She stopped and asked them what had happened.

The Ashta Vasus told her their story and how they too had been cursed to fall to Bhumi and live mortal lives. The Vasu Dyou (named Prabhasa in some places) made away from Vasishta muni’s homa cow, Nandini. Vasishta was understandably furious and he cursed the Vasus, who had all been part of the plan, to fall to Bhumi as mortals. The Vasus begged Ganga to be their mother and to throw them back into her holy waters as soon as they were born so they did not have to suffer a human life and its travails. They had already chosen their father-to-be. It would be the son born to Pratipa, who would be well known for his greatness.

Ganga felt sorry for them and agreed but she also pointed out that if the son of Pratipa accepted her as his consort, she was bound to give him a son to make the union fruitful and to give him his heart’s desire. The Vasus thought about it and agreed to give a portion of their energies, all 8 of them, to create one son who would remain alive and give Shantanu the fruits of fatherhood. This one son would be supremely powerful, unequalled in prowess and he would live long but end his life without progeny. Ganga agreed.

Pratipa became king and one day when he was deep in meditation by the banks of the Ganga, the river took human form and approached him. She sat down on his right thigh and the king, startled out of his trance, set his eyes upon the lovely damsel in his lap.

He asked her what she wished for and she asked to be his wife. But Pratipa refused. She had taken her seat on his right thigh, reserved for the daughter, son or daughter-in-law and so he promised to accept her as his daughter-in-law for the son who was yet to be born to him.

In time, Mahabhisha was born to Pratipa. The child was named Shantanu. Years passed and when Shantanu was of age, Pratipa passed on the kingdom to him. He told the son that when a woman of divine beauty approached him and asked to be his wife, he must accept her. He also passed on Ganga’s condition: that Shantanu must never question her.

Years passed and one day Shantanu came across a lovely woman on the banks of the Ganga. He was as taken with her and she was with him. He asked her to be his wife and she agreed but she had some conditions. Shantanu must never question her actions, nor must he ever say anything hurtful to her. If he failed, she would leave him at once. He agreed at once and they were married.

Ganga was the perfect wife and queen- caring, responsible, intelligent, competent. They had sons too but each time, as soon as the son was born, Ganga would fling the newborn into the waters. Shantanu was shocked but he kept quiet owing to the promise that he had given.

When the eighth son was born, Shantanu could not control himself. He took the infant away from her and berated her for being a heartless woman who killed her own children.

Now, Ganga told him who she was and how she had taken mortal form to give the Vasus their liberation from human life. She told him that this eighth son would live on and become a great warrior and worthy son to him. This son was Gangadutta or Devavrata, who later came to be called Bhishma.

(Source: MB Geeta Press version: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva)