In the midst of a great assembly, Bhishma stood tall and resolute, his voice ringing out so all—sages, gods, and hidden beings alike—could hear. “Let every being present listen well,” he proclaimed, “for none can speak for my father as I can. O king of the fishermen, heed my words.” With all the assembled kings as witness, Bhishma declared, “For my father’s sake, I have already renounced the kingdom, O lords of men.” He continued, “Even for the sake of offspring, today I make this vow: from this day forth, O fisherman, I will observe celibacy.” Bhishma affirmed that even without a son, his worlds in heaven would remain undiminished, for he had never spoken a falsehood since birth. “As long as life remains in my body, I shall not beget a child; give me the maiden for my father,” he pleaded. “I renounce 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.” In the heavens, the Apsaras, gods, hosts of sages, and the kings who witnessed Bhishma’s difficult vow praised him, showering him with flowers and declaring, “He is Bhishma!” For his father’s sake, Bhishma then addressed the illustrious maiden, “Climb into the chariot, Mother, let us go to our home.” With gentle hands, Bhishma placed the radiant lady onto his chariot and brought her to Hastinapura. Upon arrival, Bhishma informed King Shantanu of all that had transpired, and the gathered kings praised his extraordinary deed, saying together and separately, “This is Bhishma.” Yet, hearing of his son’s sacrifice, King Shantanu was filled with sorrow for many days and nights. Still, pleased by Bhishma’s actions, Shantanu granted him a boon: the power to choose his own time of death. “Death shall not overpower you as long as you wish to live,” Shantanu declared. “Only upon receiving your permission, O sinless one, shall death have power over you.” Knowing that the daughter of the king of Chedi had been raised by the fisherman-king, Shantanu arranged her marriage according to sacred rites. After the marriage was completed, he settled the beautiful maiden, Satyavati, in his household. From Satyavati, Shantanu had a son named Chitrangada, a heroic and mighty lord among men, and another son, a great archer named Vichitravirya. Before Vichitravirya reached adulthood, wise King Shantanu departed this world, following the law of time. After Shantanu’s passing, Bhishma, guided by Satyavati’s counsel, installed Chitrangada, the subduer of foes, on the throne. Chitrangada, proud of his valor, challenged all the kings, considering none his equal among men. As he challenged gods, men, and asuras alike, the powerful king of the Gandharvas, also named Chitrangada, confronted him. “You bear the same name as I; give me battle, prince. Or else, take another name,” the Gandharva demanded. “I desire battle with you, and have come for that reason. If you refuse, my name shall not remain yours.” After these roaring words, the two warriors met on the banks of the Hiranyavati, where a great battle took place in Kurukshetra. Three fierce combats ensued between the Gandharva and the foremost of the Kurus, and in that tumultuous clash, filled with a rain of weapons, the Gandharva, endowed with magical power, slew the heroic Kuru chief. Having accomplished his purpose, the Gandharva ascended to heaven. When Chitrangada, radiant and mighty, was slain, Bhishma performed the funeral rites. Then, the mighty-armed Bhishma installed Vichitravirya, still a boy, on the Kuru throne. Guided by Bhishma, Vichitravirya ruled the ancestral kingdom. After Chitrangada’s death, Bhishma, following Satyavati’s wishes, protected the realm for his young Kaurava brother. When Vichitravirya flourished in unparalleled comfort and attained youth, Bhishma, ever wise, set his mind on arranging his brother’s marriage. He learned that the king of Kashi’s three daughters, radiant as celestial nymphs, were holding a svayamvara together. With his mother’s approval, Bhishma, the foremost of chariot-warriors, went alone in his chariot to the city of Varanasi. There Bhishma saw the assembled kings from all directions and the three maidens as well. Intoxicated by desire for the maidens, the kings of Kashi, Kosala, Vanga, Pundra, and Kalinga had all gathered in the city. As the names of the kings were proclaimed in every direction, Bhishma, son of Shantanu, stood there alone, aged and resolute.