King Shantanu, Satyavati, and Sage Parashar's 3 Conditions that Changed the Course of the Mahabharata
The epic Mahabharata begins with the story of King Shantanu. Satyavati is a pivotal character; she married Shantanu, the king of Hastinapur. Born to Adrika, an Apsara (celestial nymph) herself born to another Apsara named Vasu, through a heavenly being, she was later named Satyavati. King Shantanu's son was the revered Bhishma. Let's explore how King Shantanu's actions led to the lineage of the Kauravas and Pandavas, and how three crucial conditions played a significant role.
The First Condition
In the Ikshvaku dynasty, there was a king named Mahaabhi. He attained heaven after performing the Ashwamedha and Rajasuya Yajnas. One day, all the Gods and Brahma were attending to Goddess Ganga. A gust of wind blew away Ganga's clothes. Everyone averted their gaze, but Mahaabhi continued to look. Brahma then banished her to the mortal realm, declaring that the Ganga she saw would become her enemy. Thus, Mahaabhi was reborn as King Pratipa.
After the valiant King Pratipa, his son Shantanu became the king of Hastinapur. Shantanu married Ganga. As a condition of their marriage, Ganga stipulated that she would return to heaven the day Shantanu questioned her actions regarding their children. Ganga gave birth to eight sons, seven of whom she cast into the river. Until then, Shantanu hadn't questioned her. However, after the birth of the eighth son, he could bear it no longer. Ganga explained that, as per their agreement, she had to return to heaven. She revealed the seven sons were the seven Vasus, who had been cursed to be born in human form; she had freed them. The eighth Vasu was now under his protection. King Shantanu named his eighth son Devavrata, who later became known as Bhishma. After giving birth to the eighth son, Ganga ascended to heaven, leaving Shantanu alone.
The Second Condition
One day, while strolling along the Yamuna riverbank, Shantanu saw a beautiful maiden boating. He was captivated. He inquired about her name, and she replied, "My name is Satyavati, and I am a fisherman's daughter." Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati, and she reciprocated his feelings. Shantanu proposed marriage to Satyavati's father, but he imposed a condition: only Satyavati's son would become the crown prince of Hastinapur; only then would he give his daughter's hand in marriage. Upon hearing this, the king returned to his palace, troubled by Satyavati's predicament. When Bhishma learned of this, to ensure his father's happiness, he vowed to remain celibate for life and facilitated the marriage of Satyavati to his father.
Shantanu and Satyavati had two sons: Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Chitrangada died in a Gandharva war. Vichitravirya married Ambika and Ambalika. He had no children with either and subsequently died. Through the intervention of Sage Ved Vyasa, Dhritarashtra and Pandu were born, respectively, to Ambika and Ambalika.
The Third Condition
Satyavati was the daughter of a fisherman named Dhaira. She ferried people across the Yamuna river. One day, she was ferrying Sage Parashar. He was captivated by her and expressed his desire for her. Satyavati presented three conditions: 1. No one should witness their union. Parashar created a temporary illusionary covering. 2. Her virginity should remain intact. Parashar assured her that it would be restored after the child's birth. 3. She desired to transform the smell of fish into a pleasant fragrance, so Parashar created a fragrant atmosphere around her. From the union of Satyavati and Sage Parashar, the great sage Ved Vyasa was born. It is said that it was due to Sage Ved Vyasa that Dhritarashtra and Pandu were born.
