How Devavrata became Bhishma

Shanthanu lived happily in the company of his son for a few years. Once he reached the shore of river Kalindi and was overwhelmed with a fragrance that filled the air there. As he wandered around looking for the source of smell he met with Malsyagandhi who had become Gandhavathi by the blessing of sage Parasara. The king fell immediately in love with her. When asked she introduced herself. Her real name was Sathyavathy and she was the daughter of Dasaraja, the king of fishermen. Shanthanu expressed his desire to marry her. She needed the consent of her father on that issue.

Shanthanu approached her father who was happy to give him her hand, but on one condition. The son born to Shanthanu in Sathyavathy should inherit the kingdom. Shanthanu had already made up his mind to make Devavrata the heir apparent. Hence, it was not easy for him to agree to this. Yet, his desire for Sathyavathy was so strong that he could not turn away from that offer either.

It was with his heart pulled in two opposite directions that the king returned to his palace. His desire for his beloved grew day by day and yet he could not deny the rightful place to his dear son. The king was tormented with these opposing thoughts and he became paler day by day.

Devavrata did not fail to notice this change in his father. One day he asked the king what the matter was. When pressed on his father replied tactfully that Devavrata being his only son, the perpetuation of the kingdom depended entirely on him. This reply did not satisfy the prince. So, he approached the ministers to get the full story. He learned from them about the king’s visit to the river and his meeting with the princess of the fishermen.

Devavrata wasted no time to meet Dasaraja and to ask for his daughter on behalf of Shanthanu, his father. He was told of the same condition which he had laid before king Shanthanu. On hearing this Devavrata declared that he did not covet the kingdom and that he would gladly sacrifice it for the benefit of the children born to Sathyavathy.

Dasaraja was still not happy. May be, Devavrata would keep his word and keep away from claiming the kingdom. But, what about the children born to him ? Learning about these misgivings by Sathyavathy’s father Devavrata declared that he would remain a bachelor to ensure that the kingdom would always remain with the progeny of Sathyavathy.

Everybody around, on earth and in heaven, exclaimed that that was an extraordinary promise to make. The gods started showering flowers from heaven on Devavrata. They declared that he would thenceforth be known as Bhishma, one who made a terrible (extremely difficult) vow. We shall soon learn how this vow by Devavrata turned the story of Mahabharatha in a different direction.

Bhishma, thus, won the hands of Sathyavathy for his father and returned to the palace with his step mother with him. Shanthanu was very pleased beyond words and blessed his son with the powers of death only when wished by Bhishma himself.