He quickly arrived at the hermitage, his arms laden with fruits. Meanwhile, the radiant one wandered through the thickets and forests, hunting as he went. Far away, Varuna, through the power of meditation, realized that the Vasus had taken what was forbidden, and so the truth became clear to him. Because of this act, Varuna pronounced that all the Vasus would, without doubt, be born among humans. When the Vasus heard this decree, sorrow filled their hearts. Dejected and heavy with grief, they departed. Seeking refuge, they approached the sage, hoping to appease him and find relief from the curse. Moved by their repentance, the sage declared, “After one year, you all shall be freed from this curse.” Yet, he added, “Dyau, among you, will remain in a human body for a long time.” Bowed by the weight of the curse and filled with distress, the Vasus turned to the river goddess, who too was troubled in mind. “We are greatly concerned about entering the womb of humans,” they confessed. “O faultless one, there is a royal sage named Shantanu; you shall become his wife. Through this, release from the curse will come to pass—there is no doubt.” Thus, the goddess Ganga, called upon again and again in thought, descended to earth. At that time, there was a royal sage named Shantanu, righteous and steadfast in truth. One day, from the waters, a woman of exquisite beauty emerged. Without hesitation, Shantanu addressed the woman who sat upon his lap, drawn by her lovely face. She, radiant and splendid in form, asked, “For what purpose, O foremost of kings?” The king replied to her, his heart captivated by her beauty and youth, “O charming one, you are seated embracing my right thigh. Become my daughter-in-law, O auspicious one, when a greatly desired son is born.” She agreed, replying, “So be it,” and departed, her divine form glowing with passion. In time, a son was born to them. Having recounted these events, the king again spoke to his own son, saying, “Desiring her, O splendid one, you should take that enchanting woman. Make her your lawful wife, and you shall indeed find happiness.” Thus, with a joyful heart, the king instructed his son. Having bestowed all royal splendor upon his son, the king withdrew to the forest. There, abandoning his body by his own spiritual power, he ascended to heaven. In his absence, the king’s son, upholding the rod of righteousness, protected his subjects faithfully. Now, Sūta continued: The king, fond of hunting, would often slay tigers and deer. Once, as he wandered through the dreadful forest along the bank of the Ganges, he caught sight of her, and in that moment, was utterly captivated—just as his father had foretold. Drinking deeply from the sweetness of her lotus-like mouth, the king found himself insatiable. She too, recognizing in him the soul of Mahābhiṣa, was filled with love. Seeing her, her eyes dark at the corners, the king’s heart overflowed with joy. “O slender-thighed one,” he said, “whether you are goddess or human, O beautiful-faced lady—whoever you are, O lovely-hipped one—become my wife, O beautiful woman.” Sūta explained: Ganga knew that the king before her was Mahābhiṣa reborn. Their hearts remembered a love from a previous union, and upon hearing the king’s plea, the woman replied, “What beautiful woman would not wish for a worthy husband, having considered it? By a bond of words, O best of kings, I will indeed become your wife.” Thus, the story of their sacred union began, woven by destiny and guided by the will of the divine.