Pratipa, the noble king, longed for a worthy son to continue his lineage. Together with his devoted wife, he undertook rigorous austerities for this purpose. In time, a glorious embryo took root within Pratipa’s wife, radiant with supreme splendor—like the moon shining at its brightest in autumn. After ten months, a son was born to these aged parents, his brilliance likened to the sun itself. The child seemed as if he had descended from the gods, and was destined to be a great healer. From Shantanu, a line would be born to Shantanu, and so, when the child arrived, Pratipa performed all the necessary rites as prescribed by tradition. The family’s priest conducted the birth ceremonies and other rituals, honoring the new arrival with the sacred rites of the Vedas. The Brahmins, with great reverence, bestowed upon him the name Shantanu. This protector of the earth was raised according to Vedic tradition, and grew to be a king of righteous conduct. Shantanu excelled in every virtue. He became the foremost among upholders of righteousness, mastering both the science of archery and the wisdom of the Vedas. As he reached youth, his mind turned to the imperishable worlds attained by noble deeds. Shantanu, best among the Kurus, became renowned for virtuous actions. At this time, Pratipa, seeing his son in the prime of youth, offered him instruction: “Once, a woman approached me for your sake, O Shantanu. If that beautiful, richly adorned celestial woman comes to you in private, my son, do not question her—do not ask, ‘Who are you, whose daughter are you?’ Accept her as she is, and do not inquire about her actions. Unite with her without question.” With these words, Pratipa prepared his son for a mysterious destiny. Having thus instructed Shantanu, Pratipa consecrated him as king and withdrew to the forest, passing on his realm. Shantanu, wise and radiant as the lord of the gods, became celebrated among all for his truthfulness. Broad-shouldered and mighty-armed, with the strength of a maddened elephant, he bore all the marks of a king and mastered every accomplishment. He possessed the qualities of a good minister and understood the special duties of a kshatriya. Shantanu alone brought the earth under his control, conquering all other rulers. He ensured the Vedas were fully studied, observed all royal duties, and performed many sacrifices and rituals, giving generously. Learned brahmins, skilled in Vedic study, were satisfied with gifts of jewels, cows, villages, horses, and wealth. In age and beauty, manliness and strength, wealth, majesty, valor, and riches, Shantanu excelled all. He lived in truth and was expert in all dharma, so the kings made him king of kings. Under his rule, the kings were free from sorrow, fear, and affliction; they enjoyed peaceful sleep and awakening, and prosperity flourished among them. By discipline, all social orders followed the brahmins as supreme; kshatriyas looked to the brahmins, vaishyas to the kshatriyas, and shudras served brahmins and kshatriyas with devotion. Even among animals—cattle, boars, deer, and birds—the same order prevailed. During Shantanu’s reign, needless killing ceased, even among the unhappy, helpless, or those living as animals. The king became as a father to all beings, delighting in Hastinapura, and was revered by the Kurus. In brilliance, he was like the sun; in strength, equal to the wind; in wrath, he resembled Death; and in patience, he was like the earth. Wise and true in valor, a benefactor of his people, Shantanu delighted in the beautiful forests and mountain streams. Fond of hunting, he roamed the woods, striking down deer and buffaloes. Alone, he wandered along the sacred Ganga, frequented by perfected beings and celestial wanderers. There, on the bank of the Ganga, Shantanu beheld an extraordinary woman. She was radiant, as if prosperity itself had taken form; flawless in every aspect, with beautiful teeth and adorned with divine ornaments. Clad in delicate garments, her complexion glowed like the heart of a lotus. Her body was freshly bathed, her clothes washed, and she stood in the forest, her hair loose, touching her tresses with her hands. In beauty, youth, charm, and the proportions of her body, she was unmatched. Her gestures, expressions, playful glances, the movement of her eyes, the fullness of her hips, the slenderness of her waist, the swell of her breasts, her chest, and her gaze—all were enchanting. Her abundant hair, graceful feet, subtle signs, and smile, her melodious speech and sweet conversation surpassed even the beauty of the three worlds. Her voice, speech, beauty, grace, and charm outshone Sarasvati, Parvati, Lakshmi, and all other celestial women. She approached with a tranquil form, driving away all misfortune. Seeing her, Shantanu’s hair stood on end; astonished by her beauty and splendor, he could not be satisfied, as if drinking her in with his eyes. She, too, upon seeing the king—resplendent and wandering there—felt affection and warmth arise within her, and, being playful, could not have enough of gazing at him. Ganga, filled with desire, gazed at the king with playful glances, her eyes darting; like a celestial nymph or a kinnari, she was enchanting. At the mere sight of her, Shantanu became joyful, for she surpassed all royal women in beauty. Then, the king addressed her, soothing her with gentle and pleasing words: “Are you a goddess, a danavi, a gandharvi, or perhaps an apsara?