In the course of time, the goddess Ganga, united with King Shantanu, conceived and bore a divine child. In due season, she gave birth to eight sons, each radiant and splendid, resembling the immortals themselves. Yet, O descendant of Bharata, as each son was born, Ganga took the newborn in her arms, seized him by the throat, and cast him into the river, sending him to the abode of Yama. With each child, she would say, “I please you,” and then submerge the infant in the sacred waters of the Ganga. But this act, far from pleasing King Shantanu, filled his heart with sorrow and confusion. Still, out of fear of losing his beloved wife, the king remained silent. He pondered deeply, wondering about the mysterious origin of these dreadful deeds. Ganga, for her part, remembered her father’s words and did not seek her husband’s permission for this grievous act against her own sons. Thus, over seven years, she killed seven sons—both those born and those yet unborn. Shantanu, ever steadfast in righteousness, did not question her, honoring his promise and commitment. But when Ganga prepared to take the life of their eighth son, the king’s resolve finally faltered. As the eighth child was born, Ganga seemed to smile, but Shantanu, tormented by grief and desperate to save his son, could remain silent no longer. Seeing her about to seize the child, that joy of the Kurus, the best among the Bharatas, overcome by sorrow, cried out to her. He pleaded, “Do not kill him! Who are you? Why do you destroy your own sons? To kill one’s own child is a terrible and grievous sin, and you have incurred severe blame for such deeds.” Ganga replied gently, “Desiring a son, I do not kill your child, O best of fathers. My obligation to you is fulfilled, just as an old garment, worn and discarded, serves its purpose. Know me to be Ganga, daughter of Jahnu, ever attended by great sages. I have dwelt with you to fulfill a divine purpose. These eight sons are none other than the Vasus, mighty gods, who, because of Vasistha’s curse, were born as mortals. No one but you could be their earthly father, and no woman but me could be their mother in this world. For their sake, I assumed human form. Now, having given birth to the eight Vasus, you have gained imperishable worlds. “I made a promise to the Vasus: ‘As each is born, I will release him from human birth.’ Thus, by the curse of the great soul Apava, they are freed. Now, I must go. Protect this son, for he is devoted to great vows. This child, born from their energy, O joy of the lineage, will accomplish extraordinary deeds—of this, there is no doubt.” Now, let me tell you of King Shantanu’s virtues, for he was a man of remarkable qualities. Self-control, generosity, patience, wisdom, modesty, steadfastness, and supreme brilliance—all these virtues shone in the great-souled Shantanu, foremost among men. Endowed with such qualities, skilled in righteousness and the art of governance, he protected the Bharata lineage and all his people. Shantanu bore the marks of royalty: a neck shaped like a conch, broad shoulders, the strength of a maddened elephant, and the auspicious signs of prosperity. Observing his glorious conduct, people always concluded that for him, righteousness was supreme—above both desire and wealth. In righteousness, none equaled Shantanu, the great-souled king. As the chief upholder of dharma, the kings of the land anointed him as sovereign, protector of the earth. Freed from sorrow, fear, and affliction, the kings awoke each day in happiness, accepting Shantanu as their lord and the guardian of the Bharatas. His fame and energy rivaled that of Indra, and under his rule, the kings, devoted to sacrifice, charity, and righteous acts, flourished. When the world was protected by kings led by Shantanu, the highest righteousness prevailed among all classes, maintained by strict observance. The Brahmins served the Kshatriyas, the people followed the Kshatriyas, and the Shudras, devoted to both Brahmins and Kshatriyas, served the people. Dwelling in the delightful city of Hastinapura, at the heart of the Kurus, Shantanu ruled the earth, stretching to the ocean’s edge. He was like the king of the gods—wise in righteousness, truthful in speech, upright, and endowed with supreme prosperity through charity, righteousness, and ascetic practice. Free from attachment and aversion, pleasing to behold like the moon, radiant as the sun, swift as the wind, terrible in anger like Death, and patient as the earth, such was Shantanu. Under his just rule, the slaughter of cattle, boars, deer, and birds ceased, O ruler. In his kingdom, governed by the highest righteousness, Shantanu, ever self-controlled, ruled all beings equally, free from desire and passion. With eyes like a chakora bird, a coppery mouth, the gait of a lion or bull, youthful and endowed with incomparable virtues, he possessed all noble qualities—a spirit deep and rich, and a face like the full moon. At that time, rites for the gods, sages, and ancestors were performed faithfully, and there was no unrighteous killing of any living being. For those who were unhappy, destitute, or born in animal forms, the king became a father to all creatures. While Shantanu, lord of kings and foremost of the Kurus, reigned, truth resided in speech, and minds were devoted to charity and righteousness. Animals were created for sacrifice, and union was for the sake of offspring. For sixteen, eight, four, and another eight years, Shantanu did not seek pleasure with women, living as one who roamed the forest, detached from sensual pursuits. Such were his form, conduct, character, and learning. His son, born of Ganga, was named Devavrata, also called Vasu. This son was skilled in all weapons and the arts of kingship, mighty in strength, spirit, and valor—a great chariot-warrior. Once, after striking a deer, Shantanu followed the river Ganga, and there the king beheld the Bhagirathi, its waters now running low, marking the next chapter in his storied life.