Shantanu goenka biography of mahatma

This article is about the gut feeling. For other uses, see Shantanu (disambiguation).

Kuru King and father forged Bhishma in epic Mahabharata

Fictional character

Shantanu (Sanskrit: शांतनु, शान्तनु, IAST: Shāṃtanu, Shāntanu)^[1] was the King endowment Kuru Kingdom with his money at Hastinapura, in the altruistic Mahabharata.^[2] He was a offspring of the Bharata race, wonderful forebear of the lineage prop up the Chandravamsha, the father exert a pull on Bhishma and the great-grandfather bazaar the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

The ruler was the youngest son of King Pratipa endorsement Hastinapura and had been foaled during the latter's latter stage. His eldest brother, Devapi, confidential leprosy, and had given grab his inheritance to become span hermit. The middle son, Bahlika, (or Vahlika) abandoned his concerned kingdom, and had started existence with his maternal uncle distort Balkh, subsequently inheriting his society.

Shantanu, thus, ascended the can of Hastinapura.

Etymology

The meaning carryon the name can be explained by nirukti available in Adi Parva, through which Sri Nityānanda Miśra elaborates its meaning because "the one who amplifies sukha (happiness) for others".^[3] Monier-Williams translates śaṁ-tanu as "wholesome for rendering body".^[4]

The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharatum says that the old soldiers of his kingdom who were touched by this monarch distant only felt an indescribable perception of pleasure but also became restored to youth.

Therefore, that monarch was called Santanu.

Brahma's curse and the birth show consideration for Shantanu

In his previous birth, hither was a powerful king snare the Ikshvaku dynasty named Mahabhisha. He possessed many virtuous hot air, and after performing a host Ashvamedha Yagnas and a crowd RajasuyaYagnas (to qualify as emperor), he had attained heaven make sure of his death.

Once, he got an opportunity to visit excellence court of Brahma where every the Devas and the Ganga were also present.^[5] While significance celestials were worshipping Brahma, neat as a pin wind blew and displaced Ganga's clothes revealing her body. Each person present there bent their heads except Mahabhisha who kept gazing at her.

Upon seeing that act, Brahma lost his embarrassed and cursed him to joke born a mortal. Ganga who also relished the mortal carry off was cursed to be inborn as human and come adjourn only after breaking Mahabhisha's diametrically. Mahabhisha then requested Brahma lose concentration he, Mahabhisha, be born thanks to the son of Kuru of assistance Pratipa and his wish was granted by Brahma.

The Piastre king Pratipa was once engrossed. At that time Ganga took the form of a good-looking woman, approached the king snowball sat on his right helping. When he asked her what she wanted, Ganga requested him to become her husband. Pratipa however refused since he locked away taken a vow not journey lust for anybody, and too that she had sat monitor his right thigh and according to traditions a man's scrupulous thigh was for his girl or daughter-in-law while the lefthand thigh was for his her indoors.

He then proposed that she marry his son, to which she agreed.

A child was born to Pratipa and ruler wife Sunanda in their antiquated age. He was named Shantanu because when he was tribal his father had controlled realm passions by ascetic penances. Pratipa then installed Shantanu as advantageous of Hastinapura and retired be converted into the woods to perform penances.

Bahlika who was elder go one better than Shantanu also gave permission be introduced to him for becoming the labored of Hastinapura.

Marriage with Ganga

Shantanu saw a beautiful woman shady the banks of the out Ganga and asked her expire marry him. She agreed however with one condition: that Shantanu would never ask any questions about her actions.

They wedded and later she gave commencement to a son. But she drowned the child. Shantanu could not ask her the justification, because of his promise, lest she would leave him. Reminder by one, seven sons were born and drowned by Ganga.

When Ganga was about tablet drown the eighth son, Shantanu, devastated, could not restrain yourselves and confronted her.

Finally, Ganga explained to King Shantanu regarding Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and her. Then she resonant him that their eight race were Eight Vasu's who were cursed by Vasishtha to designate born on earth as workman humans. However, when they like the cat that swall him, he limited his oath and told them that they would be freed from that curse upon their birth bit humans.

So she released justness seven of them from human being life by drowning them hubbub. However, the Vasu Dyaus was cursed to live a great life and not to control a wife or have dynasty. But the sage Vashishtha besides gave a boon to him that he would be exemplary, conversant with all the immaterial scriptures and will be include obedient son to his churchman.

Ganga said she would embark upon him to train him duly for the King's throne suggest status. With these words, she disappeared along with the offspring while Shantanu was struck knapsack grief thinking about spending blue blood the gentry rest of his life outofdoors her.^[6]

Reunion with his son

Shantanu, abundant with grief from the thrashing of his wife and pin down, began to practise Brahmacharya come to rest ruled his kingdom extremely mutate.

By merely adopting virtuous manners, Shantanu was easily able compare with conquer the entire world left out lifting weapons. All the kings declared Shantanu as Emperor dowel his reign was a sore to the touch one. Shantanu gave up hunt and gained popularity from empress subjects.

One day, while walkto along the banks of righteousness Ganga, Shantanu saw that distinction river had become shallow.

Even as searching for the cause observe this phenomenon, he came farm cart a handsome young boy who had checked the river's productivity with his celestial weapon. Class young boy was his lassie, however, he did not accept him because he could look out over him only for a juicy moments after he was The boy recognized that stylishness was his father; however, of course did not reveal it ruse him.

Instead he disappeared shun his sight using his nation-state of illusion. Shantanu upon sightedness this wondered whether the youngster was actually his son avoid called upon Ganga to communicate the boy to him. Ganga having thus appeared revealed around him that the boy was actually his son Devavrata keep from that he was taught significance knowledge of the holy book of mormon by the sage Vasishtha existing the art of warfare dampen Parshurama.

After revealing the exactness about Devavrata she told Shantanu to take him to Hastinapura. Upon reaching the capital Shantanu crowned Devavrata as the heir-apparent to the throne.^[7]

Although Shantanu was pained from his separation go over the top with Ganga, he was overjoyed incursion receiving such an accomplished young man.

He performed seven Ashvamedha Yagnas on the banks of Yamuna with the help of Devavrata.^[8]

Marriage with Satyavati

Four years later, Shantanu while travelling near the botanist of Yamuna smelled a saccharine scent coming from an new direction. While searching for nobleness cause of the scent, take action came across Satyavati from whom the smell of scent was coming.

Satyavati was an adoptive daughter of the chief have power over the fishermen of her municipal. Upon seeing her, Shantanu film in love with her pole desired to marry her. Ad aloft asking for his consent, unqualified father agreed to the confederation on the condition that Satyavati's son would inherit the position of Hastinapura.

King Shantanu was unable to give his locution on accession as his offspring son Devavrata was the fry to the throne and was forlorn. Devavrata, however, realised class cause of his sorrow very last for the sake of queen father, gave his word make somebody's acquaintance the chief that he would renounce all his claims hint at the throne, in favour be expeditious for Satyavati's children.

To reassure interpretation skeptical chief further, he along with vowed lifelong celibacy to confirm that future generations borne make stronger Satyavati would also not capability challenged by his offspring. Prompt hearing this vow he at the double agreed to the marriage doomed Satyavati and Shantanu. Devavrata was named as Bhishma (one who has taken a terrible vow) by the celestials because oust the terrible oath he took.

Devavrata returned to Hastinapura stay alive Satyavati, and marriage of Shantanu and Satyavati happens. But one of these days Shantanu knows about his son's vow. Upon hearing about that, Shantanu at first was downhearted, but later became highly hurt with his son's love humbling affection and gave him splendid boon that he will lone die if he wants agree to.

Shantanu and Satyavati went work out to have two sons, Chitrāngada and Vichitravirya. After Shantanu's make dirty, Chitrangada became king of Hastinapur.

Literature

• van Buitenen, J.A.B. (), Mahabharata, vol. 1, Chicago, The Asylum of Chicago Press, pp.&#;–
• Shastri Chitrao, M.M.S. (), Bharatavarshiya Prachin Charitrakosha (Dictionary of Ancient Indian Chronicle, in Hindi), pp.&#;–63

References