Shantanu and the River Goddess
Once upon a time, in the grand kingdom of Hastinapur, there ruled a wise and just king named Shantanu. He was greatly admired by his subjects for his mighty prowess in warfare and his deep understanding of justice. However, beneath his composed exterior, King Shantanu harbored a deep sorrow—the absence of a queen by his side.
One radiant day, while strolling the riverbanks of the River Ganga, the melancholy King came upon a sight those eyes of his had never seen. A woman of celestial beauty was standing there, her luminescent eyes mirroring the pure river, her silhouette standing out against the sunset. Enchanted by her divine beauty, King Shantanu approached the lady and was immediately smitten.
'I am Ganga, the goddess of the heavenly River Ganga,' she revealed, leaving Shantanu further awestruck. Giving his heart away instantly, Shantanu proposed marriage, to which Ganga agreed on one ghastly condition that Shantanu was forbidden to question her actions, irrespective of its consequence.
Extremely in love, Shantanu agreed to the condition and they got married in a grand ceremony. Hastinapur was in a euphoria of joy as their prolonged king rejoiced with his new queen, remising his woes.
Month turned into year and they had seven children together. However, in a mystifying and sorrowful action, after each child was born, Ganga drowned them in her own river body. As promised, although he was deeply afflicted, Shantanu did not question her actions. But when Ganga was about to drown their eight child, Shantanu couldn’t control his anxieties and opposed her, breaking the vow he had promised.
Heartbroken, Ganga revealed her purpose. Those children were the Vasus, the demi-gods who were cursed to be born as humans. As agreed, they wanted a swift death and Ganga was committed to granting them this. As Shantanu broke the vow, Ganga left him, taking their eighth child with her.
Years later, Ganga returned with their son, Devavrata, who grew up to be a righteous warrior, a key character in the epic of Mahabharata. King Shantanu raised Devavrata with all his heart and values imparting wisdom and strength, but the void left by Ganga has never been filled. Despite the heart-wrenching separation, Shantanu's love for Ganga remained immortal, making their love story among the legendary ones, reflecting profound love, sacrifice, and destiny.
Ganga, despite her actions, was seen by Shantanu as the epitome of commitment, abiding by her promises even when it meant immense pain for herself. Shantanu, despite his anguish, admired Ganga for her loyalty and honored the promise he'd made.
Their tale is one filled with unfathomable loyalty, unfathomable sorrow, and an unbroken bond that transcends all worldly barriers making their love, a tale that is woven into the fabric of time itself.