Shantanu, the noble king, sat deep in thought, his mind troubled. Observing his somber mood, his son Devavrata approached and respectfully asked the reason for his sorrow. Shantanu replied with affection, “My child, you alone are my son in this great lineage, O Bharata. You are steadfast in valor, ever devoted to arms, and I am proud of you. Yet, my heart grieves over the impermanence of the worlds.” He continued, “If, O son of Ganga, some misfortune should befall you, our lineage would be lost. Truly, you alone are worth more than a hundred sons. I cannot, in vain, bring myself to take another wife, but I desire the unbroken continuation of our line—may good befall you.” With a heavy heart, Shantanu explained further, “The wise uphold that to be childless or to have but one son is the same, for the son is to the family as the eye is to the body—sometimes present, sometimes not. If the eye is lost, the body perishes; if the son is lost, the lineage is destroyed. The agnihotra, the threefold Veda, and sacrifices with gifts—all these do not equal even a sixteenth part of having a child. Such is the value of offspring among men and all creatures; I have no doubt about this.” He concluded, “Through offspring, one is freed from the debt to the ancestors—this is the eternal triad of the ancients and the gods: offspring, action, and knowledge—these are the three lights, O Bharata. You are brave, ever unyielding, and always devoted to arms; for you, there is no death except in battle. Therefore, I am troubled with doubt as to how there will be peace for you, O Shantanu. Thus, my son, I have told you fully the reason for my sorrow.” Hearing the depth of his father’s concern, Devavrata, wise and dutiful, reflected deeply. Understanding the true cause of Shantanu’s grief—the desire for an heir to continue the lineage—Devavrata summoned his father’s charioteer. When the charioteer arrived, Devavrata addressed him with respect, “You are my father’s charioteer and my friend, skilled in your art. Tell me truly, if you know, in whose heart does the king’s affection now rest?” The charioteer replied, “O best of the Kurus, the king’s affection is fixed upon the daughter of the ferryman. Chosen by the king, he spoke these words: ‘The son born of her shall become king after you.’ At that time, your father did not wish to grant that boon, but the ferryman was firm in his resolve and would not give his daughter on any other terms.” Having learned his father’s heart, Devavrata, determined to fulfill his father’s will, set out toward the Yamuna. He was accompanied by righteous Kshatriyas, upholders of dharma. Upon arrival, he met Ucchaihshravas and sought the maiden Satyavati for his father. The ferryman received Devavrata with honor, seating him in the royal assembly. Addressing the prince, he said, “A royal bride-price must be given for this maiden; the son born of her shall be king after her father. You alone, mighty-armed one, are the increaser of Shantanu’s line, the best of warriors—what can I say to you? For the sake of the bride-price, I must speak: who would desire such a connection, so difficult and blameworthy, and not regret it? Even Indra himself would not accept it without remorse.” He continued, “The son born to this noble lady, Satyavati, equal to you in virtues, has often been praised by your father, the king who knows dharma. He is worthy to wed Satyavati. This Satyavati herself spoke thus to your father; though the royal sage sought her, I once refused him. Still, as her father, I must say: I see only the fault of strong rivalry here. I see this fault as greater in you, O unconquered one; for whoever has you as a rival—be he Gandharva or Asura—could not live long if you were angered. This is the only fault I see, O king; there is no other.” “Know this, O subduer of foes, regarding the giving and withholding,” the ferryman finished. Thus addressed, Devavrata replied in the presence of the assembled kings, “Hold to this word: there is no one equal to me in speaking for my father; none has been born, nor is anyone born now. I shall act just as you have spoken; the son who will be born to her shall become our king.” Hearing this, the fisherman replied again, desiring to accomplish a difficult deed for the sake of the kingdom, “You alone, O radiant one, have come as protector for Shantanu and for my daughter; you are master in righteousness and lord in the matter of the gift. But now, gentle one, listen to this word and duty of mine; I will speak according to the conduct of maidens. What you have promised in the assembly for the sake of Satyavati, devoted to truth and righteousness, is indeed fitting for you. It cannot be otherwise, O mighty-armed one; there is no doubt in this. But as for your own offspring, there is great doubt for us there.” Hearing this concern, Devavrata, devoted to truth and righteousness, accepted it, wishing above all to please his father.