Satyavati - II
Devrata admitted that Dashraj had a valid argument. He then raised his hands and looking upwards he said, “ With the heaven and earth as witnesses, I solemnly swear that till the end of my life I will abstain from sex, so that there is no question of my having children, legitimate or illegitimate. Hence there will be no question of my progeny making a claim on the throne of Hastinapur.” On hearing this frightful vow, the Gods lined up in the skies and showered Devrata with petals. Henceforth Devrata was known as Bheeshma, or the one of the Frightful Vow. Since all his conditions were now met Dashraj consented to the marriage of Satyavati with Shantanu, and requested Bheeshma to take his daughter to the palace.
At a secluded spot on the way, Satyavati asked Bheeshma to stop the chariot and get down. “From tomorrow I will be your mother and your elder and I will not be able to do what I want to do and what I ought to do.” Saying this Satyavati bent down and touched Bheesma’s feet and asked for his blessings. When Shantanu saw Satyavati with Bheeshma he was overjoyed, but when he Satyavati told him the price Bheeshma had paid for their happiness, his joy turned to sorrow. He gifted Bheeshma a boon that Bheeshma would die only at the time of his choosing and till then Yama, the God of Death, would not knock on his door.
Satyavati and Shantanu had two children, Chitrangad and Vichitraveerya. Chitrangad died in battle while Shantanu was still alive, and Vichitraveerya was crowned king after Shantanu’s death. Vichitraveerya married Ambika and Ambalika, the princesses of Kashi. But unfortunately he died of tuberculosis without leaving behind any issues. Satyavati asked Bheeshma to marry the widowed queens but he refused. “Your son’s sons have to rule Hastinapura,” he said. “Why don’t you call Vyasa, the son you bore in your youth from Sage Parashara. He will not marry Ambika and Ambalika, but can give them sons.” This was done and Ambika gave birth to Dhritarashtra and Ambalika to Pandu. But after the death of Pandu, the animosity between his children and those of Dhritarashtra escalated. Vyasa came to Hastinapura and told Satyavati that she will not be able to bear what is to follow. He took Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika to his hermitage in the forests, where they spent their last days.
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