When Bhishma, son of Ganga, arrived at the home of the fisherman-king, he was received with great honor. The ferryman welcomed him respectfully, inviting him to sit in the royal assembly and spoke to him directly, O descendant of Bharata. He explained, “A royal bride-price is required for this maiden from any who seek her hand; the son born of her shall inherit the throne after her father. O mighty-armed one, you alone are the increaser of Shantanu’s line, the best of warriors—what more can I say to you? Yet, for the sake of the bride-price, let me speak: who would wish for such a bond, so difficult and fraught with reproach, and not regret it? Even Indra himself would hesitate to cross such a line without remorse. “The son born of this noble lady, Satyavati—whose virtues will equal yours—he shall be the king. Your father, the king, has often been praised by him; that king, wise in dharma, is indeed worthy to wed Satyavati. This Satyavati herself once spoke thus to your father, and though the royal sage sought her, I once refused him. Yet, as her father, I must say this to you, O king: I see here only the fault of rivalry—strong and dangerous rivalry. “This fault, I perceive, is greater in you, unconquered one, for whoever counts you as a rival—be he Gandharva or Asura—would not live long if you were angered, O subduer of foes. This is the only fault I see, O king, there is no other. Know this, and may good be yours, regarding the giving or withholding of my daughter.” Thus addressed, Bhishma, son of Ganga, replied fittingly before the assembled kings, all for the sake of his father. “Hold to your word: there is no one equal to me in speaking for my father; none has been born, nor is anyone being born now. I shall act exactly as you have said: the son born of her shall become our king.” Desiring to secure the kingdom for his daughter, the fisherman responded, “O radiant one, you alone have come as protector for Shantanu and for the maiden; you are the master in righteousness and in the matter of this gift. But now, gentle one, hear my word and my duty as her father: what you have promised in this assembly for Satyavati, devoted to truth and righteousness, is indeed fitting for you. It cannot be otherwise, mighty-armed one; there is no doubt in this. But as for your own offspring, there is great doubt for us.” Hearing this concern, Bhishma, ever devoted to truth and righteousness, accepted it, wishing to please his father. “Proclaim your vow aloud in this assembly, whether sages, gods, or hidden beings are present,” the fisherman urged. Bhishma then declared before all, “Let all who are here listen—whatever beings are present. There is no one equal to me in speaking for my father. O king of the fishermen, attend to my word. In the hearing of the assembled kings, I declare for my father’s sake: I have already renounced the kingdom, O lords of men. Even for the sake of future offspring, today I make this resolve: from this day forth, O fisherman, I will observe lifelong celibacy. “Even without a son, my worlds in heaven will remain undiminished, for I have never spoken a falsehood since birth. As long as there is life in my body, I shall not beget a child. Give me the maiden for my father. I renounce both the kingdom and all sexual union entirely; I shall remain ever-celibate. O fisherman, I speak the truth to you.” Hearing these words, the fisherman’s hair stood on end with joy, and he replied righteously, “I will give her.” At that moment, the Apsaras, gods, and hosts of sages in the heavens, as well as the kings who witnessed this difficult vow, showered flowers and praised him, exclaiming, “He is Bhishma!” Then, for his father’s sake, Bhishma spoke to the illustrious maiden, “Climb into the chariot, Mother, let us go to our home.” With these words, Bhishma placed the radiant Satyavati upon the chariot. Arriving at Hastinapura, he informed King Shantanu of all that had transpired. The assembled kings, marveling at Bhishma’s difficult deed, praised him, saying together and separately, “This is Bhishma.” Hearing of the great sacrifice Bhishma had made, King Shantanu was both sorrowful for many days and nights and deeply pleased by his son’s selfless act. In gratitude, he granted Bhishma a boon: “Death shall not overpower you as long as you wish to live. Only upon receiving your permission, O sinless one, shall death have power over you.” Knowing that Satyavati, the daughter of the king of Chedi, had been raised by the fisherman-king, Shantanu arranged her marriage according to sacred rites. After the wedding, King Shantanu settled the beautiful Satyavati in his own house. From Satyavati, wise Shantanu had a son named Chitrangada, a heroic and mighty lord among men. And then, from Satyavati, the powerful king begot another son, a great archer named Vichitravirya.