Amba thanked him heartily and, escorted by the Kurava soldiers, went to Shalva. “For a long time,” she told him as soon as she arrived, “we wanted to live together and love each other, and when … Read More
What is certain is that the arrival of the warrior of divine origins had caused a certain amazement. Kashiraja offered him respectful greetings, providing him with the opportunity to explain to everyone the reason for … Read More
When Vicitravirya was coming of age, Bhishma and Satyavati began to think about his eventual marriage. They learned that the three beautiful and virtuous princesses of Kashi, Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika had reached the right age … Read More
Shantanu was not at all happy with his son’s oath, but Devavrata made him understand that this decision would prove to be good for both of them. Thankfully, the monarch blessed his son to die only … Read More
A few weeks passed and Devavrata realized that his father was neither happy nor calm as he was before, and he asked him why. Shantanu replied evasively and refused to reveal his secret. But as the … Read More
She took him home, and Shantanu asked the fisherman to give him Satyavati as his wife. The fisherman thanked the gods for the good fortune his daughter had, but asked that certain conditions be respected. “This … Read More
In those days, among the upper social classes, the Kshatriyas were the only ones allowed to hunt, but only certain animal species. They thus learned to kill to defend their territories. One day, while Shantanu was … Read More
After having heard that, everything was clear; however, the satisfaction of curiosity in such circumstances was a meager palliative. Shantanu, having quenched his thirst for knowledge, suddenly felt unhappy. Now she’d have to go. “I’ve loved … Read More
You were born as king Pratipa’s son, and I am now here with you, like an ordinary mortal. When the eight Devas learned of their fate, they came to me and said: “We know that you … Read More
Shantanu listened. Of course he remembered nothing of his previous life, as humans forget everything at the moment of birth; however, something made him believe that story. “But what does all that have to do with … Read More
Shantanu was surprised. Was his wife a goddess? The goddess of the Ganges River? He couldn’t believe it. “If you want, I can tell you what happened in your previous life and the reason that led … Read More
In the years that followed, she killed their seven children in the same way, drowning them in the river. “Now, I will have to go away. Do you remember the condition I imposed on you? If … Read More
The eighth pregnancy came. When the baby was born, the queen took him and with chilling calm headed for the river with the obvious intention of drowning that baby too. But Shantanu could no longer tolerate … Read More
Shantanu, who had waited so long for his heir, was desperate, but he could not say anything, remembering the conditions she had set: he must not hinder or criticize his wife’s actions, otherwise she would abandon … Read More
“My name is Shantanu,” he replied, “and I am the king of these lands. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to tell me your name for now, but know that you have already won my … Read More
The girl smiled. The king was a handsome, proud-looking young man; she too felt attracted to him. “How could I refuse such an opportunity? I certainly accept, but I need to set some conditions.” Hearing those … Read More
One day, while he was walking aimlessly on the banks of the sacred river, he saw a beautiful girl who, with no one to accompany her, came to meet him, looking at him insistently. The situation … Read More
Years had passed, and Pratipa had grown old. So, he retired to the forest to spend the last years of his life in devotional service and meditation. Shantanu had inherited his father’s throne and ruled with … Read More
When Dhritarastra introduced his welcome speech in paternal ways, Yudhisthira could not help but catch a glimpse of false expressions. However, he replied without resentment, hiding his concern about the proposals that his uncle would later … Read More
King Shantanu was the forty-seventh descendant of the noble lineage of Kshatriyas who came from Brahma through the moon Deva, Chandra. His father was called Pratipa, and he had been a great king, loved by his … Read More
