King Shantanu was troubled by deep anxieties: “What shall I do today?” he wondered. “How will my lineage remain secure on earth?” He pondered the dilemma before him—if he tried to restrain his wife, Ganga, she would surely leave him behind and depart. Yet, if he did not restrain her, she would cast their newborn child into the water, as she had done before. Even if a child were born, he thought, Ganga’s actions were unpredictable; she might protect the child, or she might not. Determined to preserve his lineage, Shantanu resolved to make every possible effort. Recalling the story of the sage’s cow Nandini, taken by Strijit, Shantanu appealed to Ganga with humility. “I am your servant, slender-waisted one,” he beseeched. “O pure-smiling lady, O beautiful one with thighs like elephant trunks, my seven sons have been harmed by you. Ask for something else today; I will grant even what is difficult to obtain.” He reminded her of the teachings of the Vedas: “Those learned in the Vedas say that a man without a son has no path to heaven.” Despite his heartfelt words, Ganga remained unmoved. When she took their child and prepared to depart, Shantanu cried out, “O most sinful one, what shall I do today? Do you not fear the hells?” He pleaded, “Go or stay as you wish, but let my son remain here.” As the king spoke, Ganga took the infant son. Shantanu, longing for a son, declared, “Desiring a son, I will raise this child of yours, having gone to the forest.” Ganga then revealed her true identity: “Know me as Ganga, come here for the sake of the gods’ work. Let me, troubled in mind, go and dwell in a human womb. Having granted them a boon, O best of kings, I was born as your wife. Your seven sons, O Vasava, have been released from the curse of the sage. Take this son, given by Ganga, for yourself, O Shantanu. This son of Ganga, O greatly fortunate one, will become exceedingly powerful. O king, after raising him until he reaches youth, I will give him to you.” Having spoken thus, Ganga disappeared, taking the boy with her. Shantanu was left to suffer the sorrow of separation from his wife and the wonder concerning his son. Time passed, and the king sought solace in the hunt. One day, he arrived at the bank of the Ganga and witnessed a remarkable sight: a boy, releasing many arrows with astonishing skill. The king was amazed, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. Even as he watched the boy’s superhuman swiftness with arrows, Shantanu, in awe, asked, “O sinless one, whose son are you?” But the boy vanished from sight, leaving the king troubled and anxious. Standing there, Shantanu gathered his mind and praised Ganga. Soon, Ganga herself appeared, radiant in every limb. The king addressed her, and Ganga spoke: “I now place this son of Ganga, great in austerity, into your hands. He will bring fame to this lineage and will be devoted to you. This son of yours has been raised in the divine hermitage of Vasishtha. What Jamadagni knew of the Vedas, your son knows as well.” Having spoken, Ganga vanished once more, after giving the son to the king. Overjoyed, Shantanu embraced his son and smelled his head. Filled with happiness, the king went to Gajahvaya and held a splendid festival to celebrate the return of his son and the continuation of his lineage.