When Vyasa, the great sage and son of Parashara, was overcome with grief at the loss of his beloved son Shuka, Lord Shiva himself appeared before him. The compassionate Mahadeva spoke gently to Vyasa, reassuring him, “Vyasa, do not grieve; your son is foremost in yoga. He has attained the supreme state, a rare achievement for those yet to master themselves. You, who understand the nature of true freedom from sorrow, should not mourn for him.” Shiva continued, “Your fame has spread far and wide because of your son, O sinless one.” Yet Vyasa, heavy-hearted, replied, “O Lord of gods, my sorrow does not leave me. What can I do, O Lord of the world? Today my eyes yearn unsatisfied, longing to behold my son once more.” Hearing this, Mahadeva replied, “You shall see the beautiful shadow of your son standing nearby. Beholding that shadow, O tiger among sages, abandon your grief, O scorcher of foes.” As Shiva granted this boon, Vyasa beheld the radiant shadow of his son Shuka. With this vision, Hara vanished from sight, and as Mahadeva disappeared, Vyasa returned to his hermitage. Yet even after this divine encounter, Vyasa’s heart remained scorched by the pain of separation, and he continued to suffer greatly. At this point, the sages who were listening to Suta’s narration inquired, “Shuka, O best of gods, attained the highest perfection. What did Vyasa do afterward? Please tell us in detail.” Suta replied, “Vyasa’s disciples, all devoted to the study of the Vedas, had already received his command and departed into the world. These included Asita, Devala, Vaishampayana, Jaimini, and Sumantu—all ascetics of great renown. Seeing his disciples and his son departed from this world, Vyasa, overwhelmed by sorrow, resolved to leave as well. He remembered his mother, the virtuous Nishada maiden Satyavati, now freed from sorrow and dwelling on the banks of the Jahnavi. Recalling her, Vyasa left the lofty mountain and journeyed to his birthplace. Upon reaching the island, he inquired after the beautiful-faced woman who was his mother. The Nishadas informed him, ‘The maiden was given to the king.’ The King of the Dashas, upon seeing Vyasa, worshipped him with great affection and welcomed him with due honor, saying, ‘Today my birth has borne fruit, and our lineage is purified, O Sage, for even the gods rarely behold what I have seen—your presence. Whatever your purpose in coming, O best of the twice-born, please tell me. My wives, wealth, and sons—all are at your disposal, O illustrious one.’ On the beautiful banks of the Sarasvati, Vyasa established a hermitage and, absorbed in austerities, resided there with a focused mind. Meanwhile, Satyavati, the virtuous maiden, had become the mother of two radiant sons, descendants of Shantanu. Vyasa, considering them his brothers, lived contentedly in the forest. The elder son, Chitrangada, was handsome and a subduer of foes, endowed with all auspicious marks. The second son, Vichitravirya, was also born, possessing every virtue and bringing happiness to King Shantanu. The first among them, however, was Bhishma—Ganga’s son, a mighty hero of superior strength. The two sons born to Satyavati were also exceedingly powerful. Seeing his sons endowed with all auspicious marks, Shantanu, great of mind, felt invincible, even among the gods. Yet, as time passed, Shantanu, righteous in soul, relinquished his body according to the natural order, just as one casts off worn-out garments. Bhishma performed all the funeral rites and charitable acts as prescribed, and then installed the valiant Chitrangada on the throne, though he himself did not assume kingship. From this, Devavrata became known as Bhishma. Chitrangada, Satyavati’s son, pure and powerful, became reckless in his strength and brought suffering to others. Once, surrounded by a great army, he roamed the forest, hunting deer and antelopes. There, the Gandharva named Chitrangada, seeing the king traveling along the path, descended near him in a splendid aerial chariot. A great battle erupted between the two, equal in valor, on the sacred field of Kurukshetra. The battle raged for three years. Ultimately, Chitrangada was struck down by the Gandharva and swiftly attained Indra’s realm. Bhishma, upon hearing this, promptly performed his funeral rites. Though stricken with grief, Bhishma, surrounded by ministers, installed Vichitravirya as king. After being advised by the ministers and noble teachers, Satyavati, though afflicted by grief for her son, found satisfaction upon seeing her younger son ascend the throne. Satyavati, radiant in beauty, became exceedingly pleased, and Vyasa too rejoiced upon hearing that his brother had become king. As Vichitravirya attained full youth, Bhishma grew concerned about arranging a marriage for his younger brother. At this time, the king of Kashi presented his three daughters, each endowed with all auspicious marks, in a grand svayamvara ceremony. Kings and princes by the thousands were invited and honored, all assembled with the hope of winning the maidens’ hands. There, the mighty Bhishma, displaying unparalleled valor, seized the maidens by force, overcoming all the assembled kings with his single chariot. Having defeated all the rulers, Bhishma, radiant with the strength of his arms, took the three maidens and brought them to Hastinapura. He regarded them with the affection and care of a mother, or as a sister or daughter, gathering the three lovely-eyed maidens together under his protection.