Shantanu's Dilemma

Before Shantanu could say anything, Ganga and their son vanished. A dejected Shantanu returned to the palace. Without his wife, Ganga, he was no longer interested in anything. He no longer had the will to live. The years passed, and Shantanu slowly grew accustomed to solitude. One day, while pursuing a reindeer, he reached the Ganga riverbank. He saw a handsome, well-dressed boy building a dam with arrows in the soil. Shantanu wished to ask him something, but the boy disappeared. 

Shantanu wished he could meet the boy again. Suddenly, a woman emerged from the river with the same boy. Shantanu was shocked to see them. The woman was his wife, Ganga. In a sweet tone, Ganga said, "Oh, king! This is your son, whom I promised to return to you. He will stay with you from now on. This boy will be unmatched in the world. He has been educated by Vashishth, Parashuram, and Brihaspati. Take care of him; he will become famous." After saying this, Ganga disappeared. Shantanu took the boy's hand and brought him to the palace.

King Shantanu crowned his son, Devavrat, as prince and was immensely satisfied that he had a worthy successor. A few years later, he went hunting on the Yamuna riverbank. He beheld an enchanting young woman there and was completely smitten with her. When Shantanu asked the woman who she was, she introduced herself as Satyavati, the daughter of the chief fisherman, Dasharaj. Shantanu proposed marriage to her. Satyavati replied that she was ready to marry him but required her father's permission. So, Shantanu followed her to her home.

Dasharaj was stunned to find the King of Bharatvarsh at his front door. "To what do I owe this honor?" he asked, bowing.

"I want your daughter's hand in marriage," replied Shantanu.

The clever fisherman concealed his excitement and said, "You may marry my daughter on one condition."

"What is your condition?" inquired Shantanu.

"I want Satyavati's son to be your successor."

Shantanu remembered his son, Devavrat, whom he had just declared as his successor. He stood silently for some time and then returned to Hastinapur, his discomfort apparent to everyone at the palace.

Devavrat decided to get to the root of his father's uneasiness. "Father," he said, "I've noticed that you no longer seem interested in anything. You are not eating or sleeping properly and have stopped going outdoors. May I ask why you are upset?"