Shantanu – The Reunion with Devavrata (Mahabharata Series 5)

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☸️ Shantanu’s Noble Character

Shantanu, the illustrious scion of the Bharata dynasty, was revered by gods and sages alike. Known for his wisdom, righteousness, and unwavering truthfulness, Shantanu was praised throughout the three worlds. He embodied all the virtues—self-restraint, serenity, charity, intellect, courage, brilliance, and valor—making him the epitome of an ideal ruler.

Blessed with a conch-like neck, broad chest, and majestic stature, Shantanu was a symbol of royal dignity and valiant spirit. Adorned with all kingly virtues, he ruled his subjects like a protective guardian.

"Dharma eva parah kāmādarthāccheti vyavasthitāḥ" – Dharma stands above desire and wealth.

Guided by this principle, Shantanu devoted himself to his duties and the welfare of his subjects. Recognizing his virtue, all the kings of the earth unanimously enthroned him as the Emperor. Unlike others who ascended to power through conquest and bloodshed, Shantanu won the hearts of rulers with his righteousness. Joyfully, they accepted him as their overlord. Under his reign, grief, fear, and anxiety vanished. The kings became devout, and Vedic sacrifices flourished. People lived in harmony, fulfilling their duties with devotion and mutual affection.

Shantanu ruled from Hastinavati, extending his empire across the four oceans. Gentle as the moon and radiant as the sun, he protected both humans and animals. Under his governance, divine rituals and ancestral offerings thrived. To the sorrowful, the orphaned, and the voiceless, Shantanu was like a father. Even after Ganga’s departure, he remained faithful to her memory and never sought another union.

🌊 Shantanu’s Reunion with Devavrata

One day, Shantanu noticed the unusual silence of the Ganga’s roar. Curious and concerned, he wandered along the riverbank. To his astonishment, he saw a radiant boy standing with a bow and arrows, having stopped the river’s flow with his prowess. Awestruck, Shantanu felt a mysterious love for the boy.

Driven by a desire to see the boy again, Shantanu beseeched the river goddess Ganga. Moved by his plea, she appeared with a smiling face, adorned in divine ornaments, holding the boy’s hand. She revealed, “O King, this is our eighth son, Devavrata. I raised him and taught him all knowledge. Now, I return him to you.”

“Devavrata has mastered the Vedas and Vedangas from Sage Vasishta. He has studied governance from Shukracharya and Brihaspati. In warfare, he is unmatched, trained by the mighty Parashurama himself. O King, accept your son, a warrior like Indra and a scholar like Brihaspati.”

As Ganga handed over the boy, tears of joy welled up in Shantanu’s eyes. Overcome with emotion, he embraced his son tightly. Ganga, now invisible, seemed to laugh gently as her waters resumed their joyful murmur.

Shantanu returned to Hastinavati with Devavrata, who shone like the rising sun. Born of the Vasus, Devavrata surpassed even his father in grace, conduct, valor, and wisdom. The people and vassal kings welcomed him with immense affection. In a grand ceremony, Shantanu proclaimed Devavrata as the crown prince. Under the youthful Ganga-born prince’s stewardship, the kingdom prospered in peace and happiness.