Chapter 3: The Birth of Kings and the Rise of Hastinapura
Years flowed like the sacred Ganga itself—silent, unstoppable, and bearing with them the destiny of men.
Under the reign of King Shantanu, Hastinapura flourished like a lotus beneath the sun. The fields were ripe, the temples resounded with chants, and the river carried peace to every shore. Yet, in the king's heart lingered a quiet sorrow— the memory of Ganga, and the son she took from him, Devavrata, the child of promise.
One morning, as the king rode along the riverbanks where he had once met the goddess, the fragrance of unknown blossoms filled the air again. The river shimmered, and from its silver mist emerged Ganga, radiant as ever, holding by her side a young man whose eyes burned with courage.
"Behold, O King," she said, her voice calm as flowing water, "your son, Devavrata, has mastered all the knowledge of heaven and earth. He has studied under Bṛhaspati, the teacher of the gods, and trained in arms under Parashurama, the master of war. Now he returns to fulfill his destiny among men."
Shantanu's heart overflowed with joy. He embraced his son, tears of gratitude blurring the world.
Thus returned Devavrata, heir to the Kuru throne, resplendent in youth and virtue. The people rejoiced, for never had they seen a prince so noble in bearing, so wise in word, so fierce in valor.
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The Fisher King's Daughter
Time, ever hungry, moved forward. One day, while hunting along the banks of the river Yamuna, Shantanu's eyes fell upon another vision of grace — a maiden in a humble boat, steering across the current. Her name was Satyavati, daughter of a fisherman, radiant despite her simple garb. The scent of her presence stirred his soul.
When he approached her father to ask for her hand, the old fisherman bowed respectfully and said: "O King, my daughter shall marry you only if her sons shall inherit the throne of Hastinapura."
The king's heart sank, for he could not take from Devavrata what was rightfully his. Bound by duty and love alike, he returned in silence, his spirit heavy as stone.
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Bhishma's Terrible Vow
When Devavrata learned of his father's sorrow, he sought the fisherman himself. Before the river winds and the gathered men, the prince spoke in a voice that echoed with the thunder of destiny.
"O noble father of the maiden," he declared, "I renounce my claim to the throne of Hastinapura! Never shall I be king, nor father of kings!"
The air itself trembled. Yet the fisherman's doubt remained. "But what if your sons, O prince, one day demand their right to rule?"
Then Devavrata drew his sword and raised his hand toward the heavens.
"I vow before gods and men — I shall never wed, nor father child. I take the vow of eternal celibacy."
The heavens roared with thunder. The gods showered flowers from the sky.
From that day forth, the world named him Bhishma, the Terrible Vow, for none in all of history had ever spoken such a word and lived by it.
When Shantanu heard of this deed, he blessed his son with divine sight — the boon of choosing the hour of his death.
And thus was sealed the fate of Hastinapura: a kingdom whose throne would one day be the heart of the greatest war the world had ever known.