Once, the great river goddess Ganga beheld the Vasus—celestial beings—appearing before her in a pitiable, ruined state. With concern, she asked them, “Why do you look so dejected? Is all well with the gods?” The Vasus replied, “O mighty river, we have been cursed.” They explained, “Because of a small offense, the great sage Vasistha, angered by our foolishness in concealing him, cursed us all. Long ago, we approached Vasistha as he sat during twilight. In his wrath, he declared, ‘You shall be born in the womb of mortals.’ The words of such a knower of Brahman cannot be undone. O auspicious one, become a woman among mortals and bear us, the Vasus, as sons on earth.” The Vasus pleaded, “We must not enter the wombs of ordinary human women. Therefore, O goddess, help us.” Ganga replied, “So be it,” and spoke further: “Among humans, King Pratipa’s son, Shantanu—renowned throughout the world—will be born. He shall be your agent on earth.” Ganga continued, “This aligns with my own view, O sinless ones. I will do what pleases him, if that is your wish. When the sons are born, you must cast them into the waters, so that our release from this curse across the three worlds is not delayed.” The Vasus explained their plight: “We foolishly tried to seize Surabhi, the celestial cow, and were cursed by the great Brahmarshi. Therefore, free us quickly from this curse.” Ganga agreed: “So shall it be. Let a son be begotten for Shantanu, so that his union with me is not in vain. We will each give a fourth part of our energy. With that, your son will be born as he desires. However, there will be no further mortal lineage from him; your son will be powerful, but without heirs.” Meanwhile, King Pratipa, ever devoted to the well-being of all creatures, spent many years on the banks of the Ganga, engaged in sacred recitation and penance. One day, Ganga herself, radiant in beauty and virtue, emerged from the waters in the form of a woman, her appearance most alluring. As Pratipa, the royal sage, was deep in study, the divine maiden, her face shining, sat upon his right thigh, graceful as a sala tree. Pratipa, wise and righteous, addressed her gently, “Blessed one, what may I do for you that is dear to your heart?” The maiden replied, “O king, I desire you. Accept me, for the abandonment of women who seek love is condemned by the virtuous.” Pratipa answered, “O fair one, it is my vow never to approach another’s wife, nor one of a different class. He who abandons his own wife and seeks another is not freed from hell until the world’s end.” He continued, “I cannot enjoy, approach, or speak to you in that manner. You have sat upon my right thigh, which is reserved for daughters-in-law and descendants; the left thigh is for the enjoyment of women, but you have avoided it. Therefore, I will not approach you out of desire. Become my daughter-in-law, O lovely-hipped one; I choose you for the sake of a son. By coming to me in this way, you have taken the seat of a daughter-in-law.” The goddess Ganga replied, “So be it, O knower of righteousness. Let me be united with your son. In devotion to you, I will honor the illustrious Bharata lineage. Your virtues are beyond description, even in a hundred years. The excellence of your lineage is renowned. I will act according to this agreement, O lord. Let your son never doubt any of this. Here, I will foster affection for your son.” Having spoken thus, Ganga vanished from Pratipa’s sight, becoming invisible even as he watched. Pratipa waited patiently for the birth of a son, holding these events in his heart. In time, Pratipa performed austerities with his wife, longing for a son. In due course, a glorious child grew in the queen’s womb. In the tenth month, a son was born, radiant as the sun, possessing supreme splendor like the autumn moon. The aged royal couple rejoiced at the birth of this son, a healer and a blessing. Because he brought peace to his lineage, the child was named Shantanu. Pratipa performed all the required rites for his son, and the priests conducted the ceremonies as prescribed in the Vedas. Shantanu, protector of the earth, was raised with all the proper rites, growing to be righteous in conduct. He attained great excellence, mastering both the Vedas and the science of archery. When Shantanu, best among speakers, reached his youth, he remembered the imperishable worlds attained by his own deeds. Shantanu, the best of the Kurus, became a doer of virtuous actions. At that time, Pratipa instructed his son, saying, “Once, a woman approached me for your sake, O Shantanu. If that beautiful lady comes to you in private, my son—” Thus, the story of the Vasus’ curse, Ganga’s promise, and the birth of Shantanu unfolded, setting the stage for the great events to come.