Today we will read the heartbreaking story of Ganga and Shantanu. Their story is mentioned in the Adi Parva of Mahabharat.
There was once a very powerful king called Mahabhisha in Bharat. He ruled the earth and was truthful and very powerful. After his earthly life he lived with the celestials due to his hugely virtuous acts. Once the celestials had gathered together and were worshipping Brahma. Ganga, the queen of rivers also came.
A gentle breeze blew away some portion of her clothing exposing her body. All the celestials bowed down as a mark of respect to Ganga. However, Mahabhisha, overcome with love and desire, kept gazing at her. Ganga inturn looked at him acknowledging his ‘love at first sight’ and wanting him too. Brahma, who saw this, cursed both of them to be born on the earth as mortals. He further said Ganga would bring Mahabhisha a lot of pain and he would be freed from the curse the day his wrath is provoked.
After hearing this, King Mahabhisha decided to take birth in the Puru clan of Hastinapur. They were descendants of Raja Bharat and he felt that they were truly worthy of having a king like him in their lineage. And so, Shantanu was born to Raja Pratipa and his queen. They both had done severe penance for an offspring.
Ganga went away thinking of Mahabhisha wishfully. On her way she met the ‘Vasu’s’. They looked distraught and sorrowful. Ganga asked them, ‘Why do you look so dejected?’ The Vasu’s replied ‘Oh queen of rivers, we have been cursed by Rishi Vashishta. We unknowingly stole his cow and now we have to be born on earth as mortals.‘ They further pleaded, ‘Oh queen of rivers, as you are becoming a human female, make us your children. We are not willing to have anyone else as our mother.’
Ganga said ‘Be it so!’ They further added, ‘On the earth, a son will be born to Pratipa. He will be called Shantanu and will be a king with worldly fame. We will be born to him.’ Ganga said ‘O celestials! This is exactly my wish!’ The Vasu’s continued ‘O Ganga, you will have to throw your children after birth into the water, so that we may be rescued soon without having to live on earth for any length of time.’ Ganga then answered ‘I shall do what you desire. However, you have to let one son live.’
The Vasu’s thought for some time and then said ‘We shall each contribute an eighth part of our respective energies. With the sum of these energies, you shall have one son who would live. But this son, shall not beget any children on earth. He will be endued with great energy but shall remain childless.’
The Vasu’s making this arrangement with Ganga, went away. Ganga proceeded to the Earth. Raja Pratipa was doing severe penance near the river bank. Ganga emerged as a celestial beauty from the waters and approached the royal. She sat on his right thigh. When the king saw her he said ‘What do you desire?’ Ganga said ‘I desire you, O King for my husband!’. Pratipa answered, ‘I never go to other’s wives or women. This is my virtuous vow.’ Ganga then said ‘O King! Refuse me not.’ Pratipa thought for a moment and said ‘O beautiful one, you embraced me sitting on my right thigh. Know that this is the seat for daughters and daughters-in-law. The left lap is for the wife but you have not chosen that. Therefore, be my daughter-in-law. I accept you for my son!’
Many years passed. Shantanu had now become a strong man and was crowned king. Pratipa told him ‘O Shantanu! Many years ago a celestial damsel came to me for your good. If you meet a fair damsel in secret and if she solicits you for children, accept her as your wife. Do not judge her actions and do not ask who she is. Just accept her as your wife at my command!!’ Saying this Pratipa retired into the woods to spend his old age in penance.
One day Shantanu was strolling along the banks of the river Ganga. He saw a lovely maiden of blazing beauty emerge from the waters. He was dazed by her radiant beauty and purity. In an instant, he fell in love and asked her to be his wife. This beautiful lady was Ganga. She agreed to be his wife and said ‘O King, I shall become your wife. But you must not interfere with me in anything I do, be it agreeable or disagreeable. Also you shall never address me unkindly. I will live with you as long as you are kind to me. The day you interfere with me or speak unkind words to me, I will leave.’ Shantanu agreed and said ‘So be it!’.
Shantanu married Ganga and enjoyed marital bliss. Ganga lived happily with Shantanu. The king while enjoying himself with his wife had eight children who in beauty were like the celestials themselves. As soon as those children were born, Ganga threw them in the river and they drowned. Shantanu was not pleased with this conduct but he said nothing, fearing his wife would leave him.
When the eighth child was born, the king with a sorrowful heart and wanting to save the child addressed Ganga and said ‘Kill it not! Why do you kill your own children? Murderess of your sons, the load of your sins is great!’ On hearing this Ganga said ‘O King! I shall not destroy this child. But according to our agreement, the period of my stay with you is at an end. I am Ganga – the queen of rivers. I stayed with you for so long to accomplish the purpose of the celestials. The eight Vasu’s had to assume human form due to Rishi Vashishta’s curse. I assumed a human form to bring them to birth. It was agreed between me and the Vasus that I should free them from their human form as soon as they are born. I have freed them from the curse. However, I am taking this eighth son with me. He will be called Gangadatta or Devavrata.’
Saying this Ganga left taking baby Devavrata with her. Devavrata returned after 25 years, completely trained in warfare and holy scriptures. He later took the oath of celibacy, post which he was known to the world as ‘Bhishma’.
