Shantanu, renowned for his ever-glorious conduct, was known throughout the land as a king for whom righteousness always took precedence over desire and wealth. Such was the greatness of his soul, O best of the Bharatas, that no other king could equal him in the practice of dharma. While Shantanu steadfastly upheld righteousness, the kings of the earth, recognizing his supreme virtue, anointed him as their sovereign, entrusting him with the protection of the realm. Under his rule, the kings themselves were freed from sorrow, fear, and affliction. Awakening each day in happiness, they willingly accepted Shantanu as their lord and protector of the Bharata lineage. His fame and energy rivaled that of Indra, and the kings, devoted to sacrifice, charity, and righteous acts, flourished beneath his leadership. When Shantanu and the other kings protected the world, the highest righteousness prevailed among all classes, maintained through strict observance. The Brahmins served the Kshatriyas, the people followed the Kshatriyas, and the Shudras, devoted to both Brahmins and Kshatriyas, served the people. Shantanu dwelled in the delightful city of Hastinapura, at the heart of the Kurus, ruling the earth that stretched to the ocean’s edge. Like the king of the gods himself, Shantanu was wise in righteousness, truthful in speech, upright, and endowed with supreme prosperity through charity, dharma, and ascetic practice. Free from attachment and aversion, he was as pleasing to behold as the moon, radiant as the sun, swift as the wind, terrible in anger like Death, and patient as the earth. Under his reign, the slaughter of cattle, boars, deer, and birds ceased entirely. Guided by supreme righteousness, Shantanu, self-controlled, ruled all beings equally, free from desire and passion. He possessed eyes like the chakora bird, a coppery mouth, the gait of a lion or bull, youthful vigor, incomparable virtues, all noble qualities, deep and rich in spirit, and a face like the full moon. During his reign, rites for the gods, sages, and ancestors were performed, and no living being was killed unrighteously. To the unhappy, the destitute, and even those born in animal forms, Shantanu became a father to all creatures. 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 abstained from pleasure with women, living as one who roamed the forest. His form, conduct, character, and learning were all exemplary. His son, Devavrata—also called Vasu—was born of Ganga. Devavrata was skilled in all weapons and the arts of kingship, mighty in strength, spirit, and valor, and a great chariot-warrior. One day, after striking a deer, Shantanu followed the river Ganga and beheld the Bhagirathi, whose waters were diminished. Wondering why this best of rivers no longer flowed as before, the king sought the cause and saw a handsome youth, tall and pleasing in appearance, wielding a divine weapon like Indra himself. Standing amidst the Ganga, surrounded by sharp arrows, the youth had filled the river with arrows—a feat that astonished Shantanu, for it surpassed human capacity. Despite his wisdom, Shantanu did not recognize this youth whom he had once seen at birth, nor could he recall him as his own child. The youth, seeing his father, bewildered him through his power of illusion and quickly vanished from sight. Witnessing this wonder, Shantanu, longing for his son, spoke to Ganga, pleading, “Show him to me.” Ganga then revealed the youth, bearing an excellent form, holding him by his right hand. She herself was adorned with ornaments and wore spotless garments, yet Shantanu did not recognize her, though he had seen her before. Ganga addressed him, saying, “O tiger among men, the eighth son whom you once begot in me—he is this one, supreme among those skilled in all weapons. Take this son, great king, whom I have raised; receive him, O mighty one, and bring him home.” She explained that Devavrata had learned the Vedas and their branches from Vasishtha, was accomplished in weapons, a supreme archer, and equal to the king of the gods in battle. He was esteemed among gods and asuras; whatever knowledge of weapons Ushanas possessed, Devavrata knew entirely. Likewise, whatever the son of Angiras, revered by gods and asuras, knew of the science of arms, all that was established in him. In Shantanu’s son, mighty-armed and great-souled, was complete and detailed knowledge, and his energy matched that of the sage Jamadagni, unconquerable by others. Whatever weapon Rābha knew, that too was established in him. Devavrata was skilled in royal duties and the pursuit of wealth. Having spoken thus, Ganga vanished from that place. Permitted by her, Shantanu took his son. Shining like the sun, Shantanu returned to his city, and the descendant of Puru entered Hastinapura, which was like Indra’s own city. He considered himself to have attained all desired prosperity, and for the sake of the kingdom among the Pauravas, he appointed his son as the giver of safety. The illustrious son of Shantanu, endowed with virtues and a great soul, installed his father as crown prince among the Pauravas, thus fulfilling the hopes of the lineage and securing the kingdom.