Chapter 8 - Shikhandi

Satyavathi sighed as she saw the glowering figure of the Kasi Princess Amba in the palace of Hastinapur.

As was the practice among the warriors, Bhishma had abducted the princesses of Kasi on the very day of their swayamvara and he had brought the three princesses of Kasi for Vichitraviryan. Ambika and Ambalika had married Vichitraviryan and were very happy with him.

Princess Amba.....however that was another matter.

Satyavati felt a little sorry for the princess. First she was spurned by Shalva, the man she loved, for the reason that Bhishma had defeated him and taken her away. Then Vichitraviryan refused to marry her saying that Amba had already chosen Shalva as her husband and he could not marry her now....

Because Bhishma had defeated Shalva, Amba was now forcing Bhishma to marry her....Well atleast trying to...Satyavathi thought sighing again. Amba had stayed in the palace of Hastinapur for the past six years and was trying to get Bhishma to marry her...Satyavathi smiled sadly. Bhishma was named that [Bhishma meant 'The firm”] because he had made a terrible promise of never to marry and Satyvati knew that nothing....absolutely nothing could change his mind. As far as Satyvati knew Bhishma had never thought of any woman and Satyvati was sure that Amba could not change Bhishma's mind.

But nowadays looking at Amba, Satyavathi was getting a little nervous. Satyavathi sensed that the six long years in Hastinapur and probably watching her two sisters happy with Vichitraviryan, had changed Amba irrevocably. Amba was now a woman who never smiled and gradually all the frustration she was feeling was becoming into hatred. Satyvathi realized with a growing uneasiness that Amba's hatred had found a target – Bhishma. Amba was blaming Bhishma for her misfortunes thinking that he was the reason she was not living like her sisters....Such things never boded well for any kingdom, Satyavathi realized. But she did not know what to do. She could not just have Amba thrown out of Hastinapur....

It was because of this that Satyavathi was stunned the next day to find Princess Amba missing from her quarters. A quick search revealed that Princess Amba was nowhere to be found. Satyavathi realized that Amba had left them. But Satyavathi was too shrewd to know that this definitely was not good. If Amba had left that meant that she was going to explore other alternatives to get what she wanted. And with two people as determined and stubborn as Amba and Bhishma, 'the alternatives' could not be simple or easy....

************

Satyavathi was perfectly right in her assessment of Amba. Amba was no longer the innocent young girl whom Bhishma had brought to the kingdom of Hastinapur. She was now a woman with a mission. She was going to destroy Bhishma. It was because of him that she was now being ridiculed by everybody. It was because of him and his cursed vow that she would never know the pleasures of marriage or motherhood....The man had singlehandedly destroyed her and now Amba was going to return the favour....

Amba realized that she was not powerful or trained enough to fight and win against Bhishma and that she needed someone else. Someone else who was trained and powerful and who would be willing to fight for her. And so Amba set out. She traveled all over the kingdoms to implore the princes and the kings of the other kingdoms to fight against Bhishma for her.....But it was a task easier said than done. Everyone knew of the great Bhishma and no one......not one person was willing to stand up and fight against him.

Disgusted, Amba left for the forests. The pathetic humans are all afraid. None of them had the guts to stand up against Bhishma. The Devas were the only option I have....So she decided to turn to the Gods for help. She prayed to Lord Karthikeyan focusing all her hatred towards the penance. Lord Karthikeyan appeared before her within a surprising short time.

'Lord! I need someone to fight against that wretched Bhishma and win! I want that man dead!' Amba said with utter hatred in her heart. Lord Karthikeyan realized that Amba was so lost in her hatred that she was beyond redemption. He pulled out a garland of flowers which never withered and handed it over to her. 'Take this! Whoever wears this garland would be the one who would destroy Bhishma!'

Overjoyed Amba took the garland with her and this time asked the princes to wear the garland and fight Bhishma. But Amba should have known better. None of the princes felt confident enough to take on Bhishma even with the garland. Amba last approached the kingdom of Panchala which was ruled by King Drupad.

After King Drupad also refused to help her, Amba became thoroughly disillusioned and left the garland hanging outside his palace and went back to the forests....

************

A sage from the hermitage in the forest saw the regal lady getting ready for penance. The woman was beautiful....but her eyes....they looked...the sage shivered as he studied the lady, the eyes of the woman looked dangerous to say the least.

'My Lady! Who are you? What are you doing in this forest? You look like someone who has had a royal upbringing! What are you here for?' he went to her.

The lady frowned as she looked at the sage. The sage realized that the woman's face looked like it had lost the capacity to smile 'I want a man dead!' She said so simply that the sage was shocked. 'The wretched 'brave' kings and princes do not have the guts to stand up against him...I have realized that it is useless to rely on other people so I am going to pray to the Three-eyed Lord (Lord Shiva) for a boon to destroy him!' She continued.

As the woman spoke the sage realized that the woman was not someone who could be reasoned with. The woman was beyond all that. 'Who is this man?' The sage asked inspite of himself.

'BHISHMA!' The woman snarled as the sage looked appalled at the ferocious expression of her face.

Bhishma? The Kuru Bhishma? The sage wondered. No wonder the woman had found anyone to fight against him. The man was a legend. Why there was not one person....The sage suddenly blinked as he looked at the woman. 'My Lady!' The sage stammered. 'You could ask Lord Parashurama! Sage Parashurama is in a hermitage near mine! He hates all kings and warriors and he is a brilliant warrior...Why don't you....?'

'Where is he?' Amba was on her feet, her eyes shining with hatred even before the sage finished speaking.

Mutely the sage pointed as Amba thanked him and left the place, now filled with a new purpose.

*************

Amba went to the hermitage of Parashurama and told him the entire story. Sage Parashurama who was in fact Bhishma's teacher, decided that Amba was right and accepted to fight for her.

Amba accompanied with Parashurama went to the gates of Hastinapur....

'Come out Bhishma!' Parashurama bellowed outside the palace. The guards outside tried to calm down the furious sage but it was of no use. Bhishma heard the commotion and he came out. Seeing his teacher he rushed forward happily but stopped short when he saw the ferocious expression on his teacher's face. That was when Bhishma spied Amba standing beside the sage.

Taking a deep breath he went towards Parashurama. 'Welcome to Hastinapur! I....'

'I am not here to enjoy your hospitality or listen to your flattering words Bhishma!' Parashurama yelled. Bhishma said nothing as he watched the sage. 'I am here as a representative of Princess Amba! You have wronged her!' Sage Parashurama narrowed his eyes and said in an icy cold manner. 'The only way you can right the wrong done to her, is by marrying her!'

Bhishma took another deep breath to calm himself. 'Gurudev! I am bound by my vow! I cannot marry....'

'TAKE YOUR WEAPONS OUT!' Parashurama shouted pulling out his weapons. 'We fight!'

And so they fought. Sage Parashuraman and Bhishma fought as Amba watched the entire scene with bated breath. The battles was one of the most evenly matched and glorious fights ever. Anything that Bhishma was able to come up, Sage Parashuraman was able to counter and Sage Parashuraman was not able to put any past Bhishma's defences.

The battle lasted for a total of 23 days and in the full time neither side yielded an inch. Finally Bhishma pulled out his deadliest weapon and aimed the arrow at Parashuraman.

For a moment the world stood still.

Sage Narada and the other sages appeared before the two of them. 'You cannot use this weapon Bhishma! Using this weapon would cause the world to end! The world cannot end right now!'

Bhishma relaxed his hands on the bow. The sages turned to Parashuraman. 'This fight would not have any result. Please give it up!'

Finally Parashuraman realized that the fight could go on indefinitely without any result. He went to Amba. 'I am sorry! I cannot fight and win against him!'

Amba looked at him with tears in her eyes, 'But...!'

Sage Parashuraman shook his head. 'He is a powerful man! Our fight would not yield any result....I will talk to Shalva and ask him to....'

Amba gave Sage Parashuraman a withering look. 'I do not want your pity!' She turned and saw the proud and haughty Bhishma for the last time and then walked away from there without a backwards glance.

Amba followed her original plan. She decided to meditate and pray to Lord Shiva with the same determined and single minded hatred that she had developed over the years.

Lord Shiva appeared before her. 'My Lord! I want to destroy Bhishma!' Amba said without any preamble.

Lord Shiva who knew Amba's purpose smiled sadly at her. 'In your next life, you would be the reason of Bhishma's death!'

Amba looked angrily at the three-eyed God but did not say anything. Once the God vanished from there she looked furiously around...Next life? I cannot wait to destroy his life! I will end my life now and here! The sooner I end this life the sooner my next life starts...

The woman was so muddled with her hatred that she did not really mind ending her life. Without a second thought Amba killed herself....

********

King Drupad of Panchala had a daughter.

His daughter walked outside the palace as she watched a garland of fresh flowers which always hung outside palace. Looking at it she always felt so....odd.

One day unable to take it anymore, she pulled down garland. The minute she touched the garland, she felt dizzy. A wave of memories washed through her...Amba...Shalva....Satyavathi....her sisters....BHISHMA...All the emotions that Amba had, were fed into the girl. She looked around furiously. From that time till now, no one has had the guts to wear this. Disgusted the girl pulled it and wore the garland herself.

King Drupad who saw his daughter wear the garland was scared stiff. He knew the history of the garland. This girl would bring doom to the kingdom. By wearing the garland she had invited the wrath of Bhishma. If he attacks my kingdom, I may not be able to protect it...King Drupad decided that the only way he could protect the kingdom was to banish his daughter to the forest. Without a second though Drupad banished his daughter to the forests....

The girl roamed through the forests....That her father banished her did not bother her. The old passion and hatred was back in her eyes. How on earth can I fight with Bhishma now? How can I bring about his death....

The girl there met a yaksha. There with the blessings of the yaksha the girl was transformed into a man. The daughter now became a man – a man who wore the garland of non-withering flowers....He came to be known as Shikhandi....

Chapter 7 - Amba and Bhishma

Amba entered the Kingdom of King Shalva and happily went inside the Court of the King. She saw the king being treated for his injuries. She was about to go forward and talk to him, when his look stopped her. Shalva was looking at her with intense displeasure in his eyes. Before Amba could even understand what was going on, Shalva asked her coldly, 'What are you doing here?'

Amba looked bewildered. 'I told Bhishma that I loved you. When he heard that...' Amba smiled at how magnanimous Bhishma had been.... 'He sent a royal chariot with riches so that I could marry the man I loved....'

King Shalva looked angry and coldly at Amba, 'What makes you think I will marry you?'

Amba looked surprised and hurt and looked at King Shalva without understanding. King Shalva said haughtily, 'Bhishma took you by force from me. Do you think I will take what someone has given to me, after he had grabbed it from me...What sort of warrior do you think I am?'

Amba looked stunned and afraid. 'Shalva! What he did was without knowing that I loved you...If he knew that....he would never have....'

King Shalva looked furious. 'It does not matter to me, whether he did it knowingly or not....I lost you to him...' King Shalva said contemptuously. 'If anybody has the right to marry you, it is Bhishma...Go!' King Shalva angrily flicked his wrists. 'Go back to Bhishma and ask him to marry you! I do not wish to see your face again....'

Amba looked too stunned to speak. Numb with grief and stunned beyond words, her thoughts swirling, Amba slowly walked back to the chariot which had dropped her at Shalva's kingdom....

**********

Bhishma was waiting for the charioteer whom he had sent to drop PrincessAmba. He was a trusted charioteer and Bhishma was not worried. The thought of Princess Amba was what was worrying him....He had brought a woman without her permission. For a warrior of Bhishma's stature, that was an unforgivable crime. He knew he would not rest until he knew for a certainty that Amba was back where she belonged....

Probably deep down Bhishma felt that he had wronged Amba, or probably he had some inkling of something wrong happening, whatever the reason the normally calm Bhishma was restless. He waited for the charioteer to come...

After an agonizing wait, Bhishma's sharp ears heard the hooves of the horses entering the palace. Knowing that it could only be Amba's charioteer, Bhishma went outside the palace.

Bhishma was stunned and numb to find that not only had the charioteer returned, he had returned with Amba.

Numbly Bhishma registered the fact that Amba looked like someone had yanked the world from under her feet. She slowly staggered out of the chariot. She looked around her and saw everything and nothing. She walked as if in a trance. She focused her eyes as she saw Bhishma. She rushed forward and fell at his feet, sobbing unable to say anything.

Bhishma lifted her up and patiently waited for her to tell her everything. The princess's hands were shaking and her voice was trembling. Finally after a long time, she told Bhishma everything.

Bhishma looked aghast as Amba sobbed before him. 'I....I....' Bhishma was downcast wondering.... The suddenly his eyes brightened. 'I will speak to Vichitraviryan!'

And so Bhishma spoke to his younger brother. 'Please brother! Consider this! I brought Amba here along with her sisters Ambalika and Ambika. You have married Ambalika and Ambika. Please brother, marry Amba too!'

However for once Vichiraviryan refused to follow his elder brother. 'No brother! It is not correct!'

'But....'

Vichitraviryan raised his hands. 'Please hear me out! I know you bought Amba here for me! But she has already accepted Shalva as her husband! How can I marry her now?....I do not think it is right!'

Bhishma pleaded with his brother some more, but Vichitraviryan was firm. Finally accepting defeat Bhishma went back to Amba and told her everything that had happened.

Amba was listening to everything with listless eyes. She was no longer interested in anything....

Bhishma was pacing the floor muttering to himself when he looked at Amba again. 'Shalva! I will speak to him!'

Before Amba could even register what Bhishma had said, Bhishma was out of the palace. He called his charioteer and made preparations to go to Shalva.....

*************

'Shalva! Please listen to me!' Bhishma was in the court of a furious Shalva. 'I took the princesses of Kasi for my brother. At that time, I did not know....that Princess Amba loved you!'

Shalva huffed angrily. Bhishma bristled and then controlled himself. 'She still loves you....please accept her as your wife!'

Shalva looked coldly at Bhishma. 'I loved Amba! I fought for her, and I lost....to you! What sort of a man do you think I am? Why should I accept someone I lost. If you are so concerned about her well being,' Shalva said scathingly. 'Why don't you marry her?'

Bhishma looked coldly at Shalva. He saw the firm mouth and realized that no matter how much he asked Shalva would never change his mind. Angrily he went back to Hastinapur.

*********

Bhishma told everything that had happened to Amba. As Bhishma finished, Amba took in a deep breath and looked coldly at Bhishma and spoke with hatred. 'There is no other choice! You have to marry me now!'

Chapter 6 - Amba, Ambika and Ambalika - The Princesses of Kasi

Kasiraja, the King of Kashi was a worried man. He had three daughters Amba, Ambika and Ambalika and today was their swayamvara. [the ceremony where the girl chooses their own husband]. The intelligence and the beauty of this three daughters had spread throughout the country and he had also invited the Kings from all over.

No. That was not what was worrying him. What was eating the King's head was that he had deliberately avoided inviting the King of Hastinapur for the swayamvara. Kasiraja had his own reasons and the most important being that Hastinapur was more or less being ruled by Bhishma. And he had taken the vow of not marrying. Vichitraviryan, the actual ruler was nothing more than the paper head. Kashiraja had no intention of his daughters getting married to someone like that.....

Kashiraj looked at his ravishing daughters and wished they would hurry up....Kasiraj did not think that Bhishma would actually come to the swayamvara because he did not think that the brother would fight for his younger brother's marriage. But then who knew.... If Bhishma should suddenly come....Kasiraja was under no illusions when it came to Bhishma's fighting prowess. He knew that all the Kings and the princes together were no match for Bhishma.

His eldest daughter Amba had now come forward with the garland in her hand. Kasiraja looked with approval as she walked towards the King Shalva. As she was about to place her garland around...there was a loud commotion outside the palace.

Everybody turned to see outside....Kasiraja's worst nightmare came true when he saw a furious Bhishma thundering inside the palace. However on seeing Bhishma, the other kings and princes jeered at him. 'Oh... the great Bhishma! He is attending a swayamvara! I guess he is going to break his promise now and get married. Wonder whether we should call him Bhishma or the name he had before this....'

Bhishma did not even falter. He looked calm and looked straight at Kasiraja.'From the time the two kingdoms of Hastinapur and Kasi have been in existence, the princesses of Kasi have become the queens of Hastinapur and you...' Bhishma looked furiously at Kashiraja, 'You did not even invite the King of Hastinapur....How dare you?' Bhishma then looked at the other Kings and princes. 'These princesses will marry the King of Hastinapur and become King Vichitraviryan's queens. I am going to take them with me....I challenge you brave people...' Bhishma said sarcasm dripping in every tone, '...to stop me!'

As Bhishma went near the three princesses, the Kings and princes came forward to attack Bhishma. Bhishma countered the attack with a flick of the wrist. The kings fell back. Bhishma clutched the hands of the three princesses. Ambika and Ambalika looked thrilled at the fight. Somebody was fighting for them....

Amba was however scared and terrified. She loved King Shalva and she was about to garland him...King Shalva had fallen back when Bhishma had countered the attack...However Shalva ferociously got back and picked up his sword. Amba watched with terrified eyes as Shalva and Bhishma fought majestically in the court of Kashiraja.

Though King Shalva was seriously outmatched he did not give up. He came back again and again and again. Looking at King Shalva, the other kings also started countering Bhishma. But even together, none of them were able to significantly even slow down Bhishma. He just took the three princesses with him and was soon near his chariot.

Once on his chariot, Bhisma commanded his charioteer to drive the horses as he started using his bow and arrow. King Shalva gave a chase and fired his own arrows.

Princess Amba watched horrified as one of Bhishma's arrows pierced King Shalva and hurt him badly. King Shalva fell unconscious. His charioteer to protect the king drove him away. The other kings and princes also slowly fell back, unable to keep up with the speed of the chariot or face the sharp arrows of Bhishma.

Bhishma kept a sharp vigil out looking for the attack of the kings and the princes. If he had not been so busy, Bhishma would have possibly noted that out of three princesses, two were thrilled and happy. The third one was however angry and scared at the same. The usually observant Bhishma failed to note the eldest princess....

Bhishma entered the borders of Hastinapur without any event. The chariot stopped outside the palace of the Hastinapur. With great care and love, Bhishma helped the three princesses out of the chariot one by one. Bhishma for the first time noticed Amba....But he was not able to fully understand the reactions of the princess. He led them inside.

'My Queen!' Bhishma called as he entered the room of Satyavati. As he was about to enter he called the guards outside, 'Ask the King to come to his mother's room as soon as possible.' The guard bowed his head and walked out As Bhishma entered Satyavati's room. Satyvati came out and first saw the three princesses and then looked at the beaming Bhishma.

'The future queens of Hastinapur! The princesses of Kasi!' Satyavati's face broke into happy laugh as she saw the three ravishing princesses. She nodded to Bhishma and then looked at the three princesses. 'Come forwards, my daughters! This is your home...Please be as comfortable....'

'My Queen! I wish to talk to you please!' Princess Amba came forward and spoke in a rush. It looked as if she had been dying to say something and had found the courage to say it only now. Satyavati nodded at the eldest princess. 'Go ahead my child! What do you wish to say?'

Amba bit her lip as she looked a little fearfully at Bhishma. Satyvati saw this and came forward and held Amba by her shoulders. 'It is ok, my child! Please! Do not be afraid!'

Looking at Satyavati uncertainly, Amba said slowly, 'I...I...I love King Shalva....I was about to garland him, when...' Amba looked at Bhishma not saying anything.

Bhishma shook his head appalled when he thought of the number of times he had hurt King Shalva. 'Why didn't you say anything before?'

Amba looked at Bhishma with fear in her eyes. 'I was afraid....' She whispered.

Bhishma sighed as he shook his head. But then he realized that there was no point getting angry at Amba. He himself was not sure whether he would have paid heed to her at the time he was attacking the kings in the court of Kasiraja.

He called the guards, 'Guards! Prepare for Princess Amba to be decked in the most beautiful jewellery and a royal chariot to send her the Kingdom of King Shalva.'

Amba looked surprised and happy. Bhishma was preparing for her to be sent to Shalva with riches, befit for a princess....

Happily Amba fell at the feet of Satyavati and Bhishma and then took off, giddy and happy. She was going to marry the man she loved....

Chapter 5 - Bhishma and the sons of Satyavati

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Shantanu was shocked! He could not believe that his son....his Devavratha....had given up his right to the throne so easily....Just to keep him happy....

On one side Shantanu was overwhelmed...Satyavati was his...That is what he had wanted...On the other hand, Shantanu was filled with guilt...Devavratha...his son had given up everything for him! Devavratha was now Bhishma... His son would never become a father, because of him...

Even now Bhishma did not look like he had sacrificed everything in life for his father. He looked regal and powerful. It was clear to Shantanu that Bhishma would never be tempted to break his vow ….ever. He would keep his vow till the last day he was alive.

Shantanu embraced his son with love and affection. He looked at Bhishma and said, 'Son! I do not know whether I am even the right person to bless you!' Bhishma shook his head to speak when Shantanu held up his hands, 'No! Please let me finish! I, Shantanu bless you that you can choose the manner and the time of your death...You will die only when you want to die and in the manner that you wish to die...'

Bhishma nodded his head and fell at his father's feet. Satyavati watched the whole scene from behind. She had no doubt in her mind about Bhishma. Bhishma was the pillar on which her family leaned on....Though Bhishma would never rule the throne, without him, the kingdom would be nothing...

The people in the kingdom of Hastinapur were however very unhappy....Most of them wanted to be ruled by Bhishma....Besides deep down they always felt that Satyavati was only a fisherwoman and not a queen....However as time went by, the people realized that though Bhishma would never rule them, he was the real power behind the throne....He made the decisions in the name of the King. Soon the people also realized Satyavati's true potential and she also won the people's respect....

Shantanu and Satyavati had two sons – Chitrangada and Vichitraviryan. Bhishma loved and adored his two brothers and in turn the two of them worshiped the ground on which Bhishma walked. Shantanu was too old to look after his two sons. Bhishma with the help of Satyavati, raised his two brothers as his sons. Bhishma raised Chitrangada to be the king after his father. Under Satyavati's request, Bhishma even crowned him as the crown prince when Shantanu was alive.

Chitrangada was a good warrior and he learnt the art of administering the kingdom and diplomacy from his brother. Shantanu passed away a few years later and Chitrangada was crowned as the King of Hastinapur. Chitrangada however heavily relied on his elder brother and the real management of the kingdom was in Bhishma's hands.

Chitrangada fought many wars and was a brilliant warrior. He expanded the kingdom and defeated all the nearby kings. One day, Bhishma wanted to go to the outskirts of the kingdom to look into the affairs of the people there, of the newly acquired kingdoms. Chitrangada made arrangements for his brother's departure. Bhishma left the very next day.

As Chitrangada was going to attend court, he heard a loud roar outside the palace walls! He ran outside and saw a huge Gandharva standing there! The Gandharva looked handsome and ferocious at the same time. The Gandharva now spoke angrily, 'Who is it that has my name?'

Chitrangada looked angrily at the Gandharva, 'Stop scaring my people, Gandharva! Tell me who you are and then we will see...'

The Gandharva opened his mouth to speak in a melodious voice, 'I am Chitrangada, the King of the Gandharvas!'

Without missing a step, Chitrangad pulled out his sword. 'I am King Chitrangada, the Kuru King of Hastinapur! What do you want?'

The Gandharva with wide angry eyes pulled out his sword, 'There cannot be two kings with the name Chitrangada! I am the only true king. You are nothing but a weak pathetic human, whereas I am a Gandharva! You have made me very angry by keeping my name for yourself! Get ready to meet your death for that...'

Chitrangada, the Kuru King said, 'I do not want my good soldiers to be killed for such a silly battle. I will meet your challenge one on one....' The Gandharva nodded his head contemptuously.

Both of them had a fierce battle in the banks of the river Hiranyavati. Gandharva were heavenly musicians. However they were physically very powerful and strong. They were also masters of military tactics. Though Chitrangada, the Kuru prince was a brilliant strategist, he could not keep up with the superior strength of the gandharva.

Much to the dismay of the whole kingdom, Chitrangada, the Kuru King was killed by the Gandharva. The whole kingdom watched in horror as Chitrangada breathed his last! The Gandharva disappeared from there laughing like a maniac....

Bhishma returned a few days later and listened as an inconsolable Satyavati told him everything, 'The...Gandharva killed my son Bhishma! He killed your brother in cold blood...' She broke out in sobs as Bhishma heard the whole story. Bhishma was broken hearted. He could not believe that his brother....a brother whom he had loved like his own son was no more....a gandharva had come and just taken away his brother....

Bhishma sat down clutching his head. Satyavati looked at Bhishma and said, 'Bhishma! The throne of Hastinapur cannot be without a King...'

Bhishma looked at Satyvati and realized that despite her upbringing as a fisherwoman, Satyavati was made up of sterner stuff...She was born to be a queen...She was someone who could plan ahead and set her own grief aside...Bhishma slowly nodded his head.

Chitrangada did not have any children...So as per the laws of those days, the younger brother Vichitraviryan had the right to rule the kingdom...

Both Bhishma and Satyavati chose an auspicious day and crowned Vichitraviryan, the younger son as the King...Bhishma pulled himself together and once again started teaching Vichitraviryan the ways of the King...Under the request of Satyavati, Bheeshma ruled the vast Kingdom as a representative of the young Vichitraviryan.

Under his brother's guidance, Vichitraviryan learnt the ways of administering the kingdom and became a good diplomat and learnt the art of warfare....

Chapter 4 - Devavratha becomes Bhishma

On reaching the kingdom, Shantanu studied his son. Over the days it became clear to Shantanu that Devavratha was extremely intelligent. His knowledge of the state warfare was something that even the experienced Shantanu himself did not have. Shantanu also found that Devavratha was very serious and never talked much. Devavratha was more of a doer than a talker. 

Devavratha loved his father and made sure his father was always happy. Father and son were so close. They talked about everything under the sun. Shantanu discussed all the matters of the state and everything else he felt like talking. In Devavratha he found a perfect listener…calm and balanced…

Much to Shantanu’s happiness the people of Hastinapur accepted Devavratha very easily. In him the people found the perfect prince, who would eventually rule them. On an auspicious day, Shantanu crowned Devavratha the crown prince of Hastinapur. The people rejoiced. The kingdom flourished and people were looking forward to glorious years being ruled by Devavratha. 

Shantanu also found that after Devavratha had come to him, he did not miss Ganga as much as before. True, her thoughts sometimes bothered him. But on the whole he felt more complete and mature. He did not feel the pangs of loneliness the way he used to feel before. His heartache was healing – slowly.

Shantanu still visited the jungles – now with more vigour than ever. After appointing Devavratha as the crown prince, Shantanu slowly let Devavratha take over the administration of the kingdom. Devavratha was a natural diplomat and the kingdom prospered well. 

Four years went by.

As Shantanu was galloping through the jungles, he smiled. He heard the flow of the Ganga from the far side of the forest. But of late, he did not feel the urge to visit the river. He asked his charioteer to turn and drive in another direction. The king rode for the long time, thinking happily about the latest achievements of Devavratha. 

The king was so lost in his thoughts that he did not notice that he was the on the banks of a river – another river – it was the Yamuna. Looking at the flowing calm river, Shantanu was still thinking, when a fragrance hit him from somewhere….’Hit him’ was the right word for it. After Shantanu inhaled the fragrance, Shantanu found the fragrance so enchanting that he was not able to think of anything else. The fragrance was so…inviting and alluring… Shantanu asked his charioteer to stop. He got down and looked around…

There, Shantanu blinked….

Sitting on a boat in the river was a beautiful…’beautiful’ hardly did justice to the woman…she was enchanting…. Shantanu studied the rugged dark dress of the woman which was flowing in the wind, her hair waving to the tunes of the wind and the way she sat on the boat with her feet playing in the water, an oar in her hand…. Shantanu for the second time in his life felt his mind go numb again. He slowly walked towards the woman wondering whether she was real or a figment of his imagination….

As Shantanu walked closer he actually expected the woman to disappear. She had this beauty which was unreal…Just looking at her made Shantanu’s head go dizzy. Shantanu inhaled deeply and found that the fragrance he had smelt when he had first come here was coming from the woman.  

The closer Shantanu went, the more hopelessly he felt in love with the woman. He felt that he had to marry the woman…and that without her he would be incomplete….

Shantanu shook his head trying to clear her thoughts. The woman had heard his footsteps and turned to look at him. When the woman saw him, Shantanu felt himself become blank again. 

‘Wh…who areyou?’ He found that he was mixing up all the words.

The woman laughed. Shantanu heard her tinkling laugh and found himself getting embarrassed. She however replied to him, ‘I am Satyavati! I am the daughter of the chief fisherman…’ She said pointing to her right. 

It was only after she pointed, Shantanu noticed small settlements on the right of the river. Satyavati was pointing to what was the biggest house among those small huts. 

Shantanu looked at her, ‘What are you doing here?’

Satyavati did not miss the longing in the king’s eyes. She smiled at him, ‘I ferry people across the river…’ She said pointing at her oar.

As she spoke a whiff of wind whipped up and the king found that the fragrance from her body was overwhelming him…Shantanu looked at her once more and promised himself that he would marry this woman no matter what….

Shantanu felt his heart flutter as he spoke to her again, ‘I am the king of Hastinapur!’ Satyavati nodded her head. She had seen all the royal markings on the man…. Shantanu cleared his throat and spoke again, ‘I want to marry you…are you willing to marry me?’

Satyavati blushed and Shantanu did not need an answer to that question. Satyavati however spoke, ‘You will have to speak with my father, your majesty!’ 

Shantanu nodded to her and looked at the hut again…He walked towards the fisherman’s hut, thoughts swirling in his mind…How could such a woman be the daughter of a fisherman? She looks like a woman from the heavens….how could she live here?

The king’s suspicions were correct. However he was not to know the story of Satyavati’s birth. 

[Satyavati was the adopted daughter of the fisherman. She was actually the daughter of the King Vasu and Adrika – a lady from the heavens. Adrika had been cursed to become a fish. A fisherman caught Adrika as a fish. After the fish was dead, Adrika went back to heaven. Inside the body of the fish were a baby boy and a baby girl. The fisherman who found the fish took the children to the king Vasu. King Vasu is said to have taken the boy and asked the fisherman to keep the girl as a gift from him. The fisherman raised the girl as his own. Because the girl was found inside the fish, she always smelt of fish so she was called Matsya Gandhi [‘One smelling of fish’] Exactly how Matsya Gandhi began to have such a sweet fragrance is another story and narrated in another part of the Mahabharatha…]

Shantanu was still thinking as he entered the hut of the fisherman…The fisherman should be glad I am going to marry his daughter…Just for a minute Shantanu felt pangs of guilt…Would Devavratha be angry with him, because he had taken another woman as his wife….But then Shantanu shook his head. Devavratha was very mature and much more grown up than his twenty years. Devavratha would surely understand…. 

Shantanu entered the hut, Satyavati’s fragrance still lingering in the hut…Shantanu was surprised. He was so far away from Satyavati, but he could still smell her….How was that possible….

Inside, a rough fisherman with sly eyes and a crooked smile greeted him, ‘Welcome your majesty! I am grateful, that the great king of the land has set foot on my humble hut….This is indeed a privilege…I must be….’

‘Cut the flattery!’ Shantanu said angrily. Somehow he did not like the fisherman or the way he talked…

The fisherman stopped talking immediately. But his eyes were glinting. He looked at the king waiting for the king to talk. The king felt uncomfortable and then took a deep breath, breathing in the fragrance of Satyavati, ‘Is that your daughter, who ferries people across the Yamuna?’ 

‘I brought up Yojana Gandhi…’ The fisherman said nodding his head. Yojana was a unit measuring distances and Gandhi meant fragrance…Satyavati’s fragrance could be smelt for a yojana? Shantanu again wondered how it was possible…Now was not the time to worry about that…

Shantanu looked at the fisherman, ‘As you know I am the king of Hastinapur! I wish to marry your daughter…’

The fisherman pretended to look like he was surprised, ‘I am so happy, my Lord! You are willing to bless this humble…’

‘Are you willing to let your daughter marry me or not?’ Shantanu asked sharply. He was in no mood to listen to the fisherman. 

The fisherman pretended to look sad and shook his head, ‘My Lord! I have but a small condition…you see I had her horoscope made when she was young…She..Satyavati…According to her horoscope is going to be the mother of kings…I wish that to come true…’

Shantanu stared at the fisherman like he was mad. He felt like he was sharply dragged back to earth from the heavens by the words of the man. ‘So what do you want?’ Shantanu’s voice came out like a whisper. 

‘I want you to promise that Satyavati’s child should be the ruler of Hastinapur after you…’ 

Each word hit Shantanu with a force of a missile. His knees went knobbly and he felt giddy. Shantanu felt like he would swoon to the ground for even listening to the fisherman’s talk….How could the fisherman even impose such a condition…if he agreed to it, his Devavratha would never become a king…Devavratha the one who had learnt politics from Sage Brihaspati…One who was destined to make Hastinapur the greatest kingdom on earth…What the fisherman was asking was inhuman…he would never agree to it…NO! 

Shantanu looked at the fisherman and said haughtily trying to hide his desperation, ‘Look! Ask for anything else – money, jewels…anything….but not this…this is wrong….’ He almost cried out aloud when he said the last words.

But the fisherman was adamant. ‘No, your majesty! This is the only wish I have…If you grant me the wish, Satyavati is yours!’

Shantanu did not even bother replying to the fisherman. Without even as a second glance he walked out of the hut. 

The fisherman saw the retreating back of the king and did not try stopping him. 

Shantanu never knew when he was inside the chariot and when it had started. He was looking lamely around at everything and nothing. His mind was numb. He was cursing himself….How could he be so foolish…How could he have fallen in love with Satyavati…How dare that silly fisherman impose such a condition…His head told him that accepting to such a condition was foolishness….but his heart….that was all together another matter….His heart was in no condition to even listen to his head… He felt he had to marry Satyavati, otherwise he would always feel incomplete….

Shantanu stared blankly and wondered when he had left the forests and entered the kingdom of Hastinapur. As he entered the kingdom, he saw Devavratha come and greet him. Devavratha looked smiling, energetic and regal…. Looking at him, Shantanu felt inadequate. He tried not to think…but the the words came to his mind…If Devavratha was not there, he could have married Satyavati now….NO! 

Shantanu felt angry at himself even thinking like this… At his age he was thinking about marrying another woman, when right now he should be bothered more about getting his son married…Shantanu took a deep breath trying to remember what a wonderful son he had in Devavratha…I have to forget Satyavathi…But then Shantanu suddenly remembered the heavenly fragrance when he had been near Satyavati…

Shantanu angrily shook his head confused and angry. But try as he might Shantanu could not forget Satyavati. Without even being aware of it, Shantanu started hating Devavratha. Devavratha started talking something, when Shantanu held up his hands, ‘I am tired Devavratha…I do not want to talk with you…’ Shantanu said the words angrily without realizing that he had spoken angrily. Shantanu saw Devavratha look at him quietly a little bewildered…

Curtly Shantanu entered his room and banged the door shut. 

Devavratha watched his father a little hurt and a little puzzled. His father had never spoken to him like this…His father had gone to the jungles countless number of times… after each trip, his father looked happy and complete. Devavratha had guessed that his father loved being in the forests surrounded by wild animals…But today his father had looked at him angrily…Devavratha did not even know what it was that he had done wrong….Whatever it was he would wait for his father to tell him….Devavratha took a deep breath stared at the closed door for some time and then left for his own room. Devavratha tossed and turned in the bed wondering what might have happened to his father….

Shantanu was also not able to sleep. Though he had told his son that he was feeling tired, the image of Satyavati and the fisherman’s words kept him awake for almost the entire night. It was almost dawn before he could fall asleep…

The next few days were very difficult between the father and son. Every time Devavratha tried talking to his father, Shantanu would pretend to be interested in something else or ignore his son. In the evenings, Shantanu would retire to his bed very early so that he did not have to face Devavratha….

Finally Devavratha could take it no more. He went to his father’s charioteer, the man who had driven Shantanu to the forests… 

The charioteer bowed to Devavratha, ‘My prince!’ The charioteer looked at the determined angry face of the young prince and knew what was coming. He remained silent and waited for the prince to speak.

‘My father is behaving very strangely since the day he has come back from the forests…’ Devavratha said looking at the charioteer studying his face closely. ‘Before he went there, he loved me and told me everything….now it looks as if he hates me and does not want me here…’ Devavratha’s said the words unemotionally. But his heart felt like it was going to break into a million pieces when he was speaking. ‘What happened in the forests?’

The charioteer licked his lips and hesitated. 

‘Speak Now!’ Devavratha thundered. The charioteer quailed under Devavratha’s angry look and stammered out, ‘A…woman…he saw a woman, there…’

Devavratha looked at the charioteer and slowly nodded his head. He nodded his head asking the charioteer to continue. The charioteer told him everything, ‘…that silly fisherman was asking for his daughter’s children to become the ruler after him….’ The charioteer stopped talking looking at the prince. He was sure the prince was going to start shouting at him for bringing such bad news. 

The charioteer was stunned, but not because Devavratha shouted at him…but because Devavratha was laughing…. ‘My father…’ he said laughing, ‘could not marry the woman, because of that…’ Devavratha shook his head. He reached a decision and looked at that charioteer, ‘Take me to the fisherman now!’

The charioteer looked at the prince. The prince now looked dangerous. It was as if he had made up his mind and was going to do something terrible. The charioteer shuddered, ‘My prince! Whatever you are going to do, please reconsid…..’

Devavratha gave the charioteer a look which just silenced him. The charioteer knew that no amount of talking was going to convince the prince. Haughtily Devavratha got on the chariot. ‘Drive me to the fisherman…’ The charioteer realizing that he had no choice drove the chariot.

Soon they reached the banks of the river Yamuna. Devavratha smelt the fragrance of Satyavati and looked at her. I now know why my father fell in love with this woman… Devavratha thought. He nodded her head at her and then looked at the tiny settlements.  

He walked straight to the largest hut as Satyavati followed him anxiously.

‘Is Satyavati your daughter?’ Devavratha asked the reclining fisherman, who was looking around the house idly.

The fisherman sat up and looked at the determined prince. Feeling a little nervous he swallowed and got up. He bowed to the prince and said, ‘Yes sir! I brought her up!’

‘Why did you not let my father marry her?’ Devavratha asked the fisherman coming directly to the point. 

The fisherman swallowed again. His heart was thumping painfully. He was briefly considering whether to say anything or not. But in the end, greed won out and the fisherman spoke. ‘My prince, I only asked that my daughter’s children should be the king after him…I want nothing at all for myself…Your father could not promise me that…so…’ The fisherman said defensively.

Devavratha looked at the fisherman contemptuously and spoke, ‘My father could not promise you that, because it was not his promise to give…He has already used that right and appointed me as the crown prince…so he cannot give you something that he has already given me…’

The fisherman was very afraid and did not know what to say. He just looked at Devavratha just praying that he would get out of this mess with his life…What if the prince suddenly got angry and killed him…The fisherman shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. 

Devavratha looked at Satyavati and then at the fisherman, ‘I, Devavratha, the son of Shantanu and Ganga promise to give up my throne in favour of the children born from Satyavati and my father!’

The declaration was met by silence. The only noise which could be heard was the loud ‘NOOOOOOO!’ of the charioteer, who was watching the whole scene from outside the house. The charioteer was opening his mouth like a fish but no sound was coming out of it. 

Devavratha looked at the charioteer and with an angry stare silenced him. As he was turning to look at the fisherman, he saw Satyavati’s face, which had tears in her eyes. She was shaking her head wordlessly, muttering to herself.

The fisherman could not believe that he had heard right….Surely this could not have been so easy…The fisherman felt like he was in seventh heaven, when suddenly a thought occurred to him. He vigorously shook his head, ‘No this will not do…this will not do at all…’

All the other three looked at the fisherman with blank expressions…The crown prince had just given up the throne….. what more could the man want….

Devavratha recovered first, ‘What is it? You doubt my word?’ Devavratha looked angrily at the fisherman.

The fisherman’s voice was hoarse. He was almost sure that what he was going to say was going to get him killed. ‘Prince! I know you have never gone back on your word and never will….it is something else….’

Devavratha was silent and waited for the man to continue. The fisherman licked his lips and spoke haltingly, ‘You will keep your word, but what about your children, the children you will have….’

Devavratha looked dangerously at the fisherman, his eyes narrowed, ‘What about them?’

‘They will fight with the children of Satyavati! You will train your children in warfare and they will definitely be better warriors than a fisherman’s grandchildren….they will fight and take the kingdom away from my grandchildren….Then what will I do?’ The fisherman said almost wailing.

Devavratha thought for a second, ‘I will train them not to go for the throne.’

The fisherman definitely shook his head, ‘No my prince, that is not something that you can control…I am sorry!’

Devavratha bent down and studied his feet for a full second and then looked at the fisherman. The fisherman almost recoiled when he saw Devavratha’s face. In the face was an expression he did not know…was it determination or was it power….

Devavratha’s proud haughty face studied the fisherman, ‘I know I cannot promise for my children….but I can promise you not to have any children…’

Satyavati gasped…looking at Devavratha shaking her head. 

The charioteer looked like someone had yanked the world from under his legs. 

The fisherman looked fearfully like he had done something terrible. ‘What do you mean, prince?’ He whispered.

‘I, Devavratha, promise that I will never look at any woman and never have any children of my own, in this life…’ 

The declaration was met with a shower of flowers from the heavens. The Devas rained flowers on Devavratha and a voice was heard from the heavens. ‘Devavratha has kept terrible vow! He will not break it, now or ever…For keeping the vow, he will be called as ‘Bhishma – the firm’.

The fisherman looked at the entire spectacle with an awe that he could not explain. Silently he handed over Satyavati’s hand to Bhishma. 

The charioteer fumbled with the horses many times as Bhishma and Satyavati got on the chariot not believing what he had just now seen….