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Shantanu (, )van Buitenen (1973), p. 231; Shastri Chitrao (1964), p. 962 is a character in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was the King of Kuru Kingdom with his capital at Hastinapura. (1997). 9788184820355, Amar Chitra Katha Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9788184820355 He was a descendant of the Bharata race, a forebear of the lineage of the Lunar dynasty, the father of Bhishma and the great-grandfather of the and the .
Shantanu was the youngest son of King Pratipa of Hastinapura and had been born during the king's later years. His eldest brother, Devapi, had leprosy, and had given up his rightful claim before becoming a hermit. The middle son, Bahlika (or Vahlika), abandoned his birth kingdom, and had started living with his maternal uncle in Balkh, subsequently inheriting his kingdom. Shantanu, thus, ascended the throne of Hastinapura.
The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharata says that the old men of his kingdom who were touched by this monarch not only felt an indescribable sensation of pleasure but also became restored to youth. Therefore, this monarch was called Santanu.
When the Pratipa was once meditating, Ganga took the form of a beautiful woman, approached the king and sat on his right thigh. When he asked her what she desired, Ganga requested him to become her husband. Pratipa however refused since he had taken a vow not to lust for anybody, and also that she had sat on his right thigh and according to traditions a man's right thigh was for his daughter or daughter-in-law while the left thigh was for his wife. He then proposed that she marry his son, to which she agreed.
A child was born to Pratipa and his wife Sunanda in their old age. He was named Shantanu because when he was born his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances. Pratipa then installed Shantanu as king of Hastinapura and retired into the woods to perform penances. Bahlika, who was elder than Shantanu, also gave his assent to Shantanu for becoming the king of Hastinapura.
When Ganga was about to drown their eighth son, the devastated Shantanu could not restrain himself and confronted her. Ganga explained to King Shantanu about Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and to her. She revealed to him that their eight children were the eight reincarnated who were cursed by sage Vasishtha to be born on earth as mortal humans. However, when they pacified him, he limited his curse and told them that they would be freed from this curse upon their birth as humans. So, she liberated the seven of them from human life by drowning them all. However, the Vasu Dyaus Pita was cursed to live a long life and not to have a wife or children. But Vasishtha also gave him a boon that he would be virtuous, conversant with all the holy scriptures and would be an obedient son to his father. Ganga said she would take him to train him properly for the king's throne and status. With these words, she disappeared along with the child, while Shantanu was struck with grief, pondering over spending the rest of his life without her.van Buitenen (1973), pp. 218-222
One day, while walking along the banks of the Ganga, Shantanu saw that the river had become shallow. While searching for the cause of this phenomenon, he came across a handsome young boy who had checked the river's flow with his celestial weapon. The young boy was his son whom he did not recognize him because he could see him only for a few moments after he was born. The boy recognized that he was his father; however, he did not reveal it to him. Instead he disappeared from his sight using his power of illusion. Shantanu upon seeing this wondered whether the boy was actually his son and called upon Ganga to show the boy to him. Ganga appeared and revealed to him that the boy was actually their son Devavrata and that he was taught the knowledge of the holy scriptures by sage Vasishtha and the art of warfare by Parshurama. After revealing the truth about Devavrata she told Shantanu to take him to Hastinapura. Upon reaching the capital Shantanu crowned Devavrata as his heir-apparent.
Although Shantanu was pained from his separation from Ganga, he was overjoyed upon receiving such an accomplished son. He performed seven Ashvamedha Yagnas on the banks of Yamuna with the help of Devavrata.van Buitenen (1973), pp.223-224
King Shantanu was unable to meet this condition as his son Devavrata was the heir to the throne and was forlorn. Devavrata, however, realised the cause of his sorrow and for the sake of his father, gave his word to the chief that he would renounce all his claims to the throne, in favour of Satyavati's children. To reassure the skeptical chief further, Devavrata also vowed lifelong celibacy to ensure that future generations descended from Satyavati would also not be challenged by his offspring. Upon hearing this vow he immediately agreed to the marriage of Satyavati and Shantanu. Devavrata was then named as Bhishma (one who has taken a terrible vow) by the celestials. Devavrata returned to Hastinapura with Satyavati. Shantanu, unaware of his son's vow, married Satyavati. Eventually Shantanu learnt of his son's vow and was heartbroken. Later he became highly impressed with his son's love and affection and gave him a boon that he will only die if and when he decides to. Shantanu and Satyavati went on to have two sons, Chitrāngada and Vichitravirya. After Shantanu's death, Chitrangada became king of Hastinapura.
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