Chapter 9 - Bhīshma's Oath

4 years had passed.

Devavrat had assumed the responsibilities of the kingdom's administration. With strategic prowess, he successfully thwarted the armies that sought to assail the Kuru Kingdom. 

When the official announcement declared him as the crown prince, a collective sigh of relief swept through the populace, reassured that the kingdom's future was in capable hands. 

King Śāntanu, who had spent much of his life immersed in the responsibilities of rulership, finally found a moment to live for himself. 

One day, while wandering in the woods near the bank of the river Yamunā, a delightful fragrance caught his attention. Intrigued, he decided to trace the origin of the sweet smell.

As he meandered through the woods, following the enchanting scent, he eventually found himself on the tranquil river bank.

On the riverbank, King Śāntanu discovered a woman of celestial beauty seated on a boat. Intrigued, he approached her and inquired about her identity.

"O King," she spoke with grace, "my name is Satyavatī. I am the daughter of Niṣād Raj. My father has entrusted me with the duty of assisting people in crossing the river with this boat."

Niṣāds, as she explained, were a community relying on fishing for their livelihood. Satyavatī, with her dark beauty, sat poised on the boat, embodying the simplicity and diligence of her people.

[A/n: words like Raj/ Naresh are used for a ruler or chief.]

"Then, will you help me cross the river?" inquired the handsome king, his gaze enchanted by Satyavatī's beauty.

"It would be my honor," she replied, her smile adorned with a subtle blush.

It was said that King went to that bank a lot of times to enjoy the nature's beauty there.

***

A few days later, King Śāntanu decided to visit Satyavatī's father, Daśarāj, to seek his consent for their marriage. Approaching him with respect, the king conveyed his intention.

"O King," replied Daśarāj, "ever since I started raising this girl, I always had worries about her marriage. But I knew the creator would have someone in his mind appropriate for her. Now that I've met you, I'm sure it is you. I doubt I could find anyone better than you for her to marry."

(Here, rāj is in the name. I'll write it separately as Rāj if it is meant to indicate King)

King Śāntanu smiled upon hearing Daśarāj's words. 

"But…" King Śāntanu had smiled too soon.

"But what, Niṣād Raj?" King Śāntanu asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I have a condition, King. If you promise me to fulfill that condition, I won't have any problem with you marrying my daughter," Daśarāj stated.

"Condition?" King Śāntanu's brow furrowed in thoughtful consideration. "Please tell me what is this condition? I can only ascertain my ability to fulfill it once it is revealed. If it lies within my capability, rest assured, I shall honor it. However, if it lies beyond my control, how am I to meet such a condition? "

"O King, to be forthright, my daughter is of royal origin. Thus, it is my fervent desire that her offspring ascend to rulership in the future. If you can pledge this, I will gladly bestow my daughter upon you," Niṣād Raj presented his conditions.

"WHAT!?" King Śāntanu abruptly rose from his seat. "How can I comply with such a demand? You are well aware that I've already declared Devavrat as the crown prince. He is flawless and adored by the people. How could I, as a father, remove my rightful son from the throne and designate unborn children as the future monarchs?"

"Is that so? Then, I regret to say that this marriage cannot proceed. This condition is non-negotiable if you wish to wed my daughter," Niṣād Raj declared with an unwavering voice, conveying his steadfast stance on the matter.

Although the king harbored a fervent desire to marry Satyavatī, he resolved not to accept the condition. 

The weight of his decision cast a shadow upon the palace, and the king returned with a heavy heart. 

In the following days, a cloud of melancholy enveloped him, and he found solace elusive as he grappled with the internal conflict between his deep yearning and the conditions set forth. 

It couldn't be hidden from astute Devavrat. Observing his father's recent behavior, he decided to address the issue.

"Father, is everything alright?" Devavrat inquired with genuine concern. "All aspects of the kingdom are thriving under your rule. The economy is flourishing, people are content, and every other king follows your orders. Yet, there seems to be a shadow of concern in your demeanor. What troubles you, father?"

"Son, I'm grateful to have a son like you. Having you is akin to having a hundred sons," Śāntanu replied with affection. "However, it is often said that having only one son is akin to having none at all. I've observed your dedication to the practice of weapons and warfare. My concern arises from the thought that if— Śiva forbid— anything were to happen to you, what would become of this kingdom? I don't have any other sons to succeed you."

Devavrat sensed that his father was withholding something, a piece of the puzzle yet to be revealed. Determined to uncover the truth, he approached his father's charioteer.

"O suta, you are not only my father's charioteer but also a close friend of his. Can you enlighten me on what has befallen my father?" Devavrat inquired.

After a moment of deliberation, the charioteer responded, "Crown Prince, your father has fallen in love with a daughter of Niṣād Raj. However, it appears that he had to decline the union due to some conditions set forth by him."

"Hmm… Is that so?" Devavrat mused before decisively saying, "Very well, guide me to where he resides. I must speak with him and understand his turmoil."

Devavrat, along with some old ministers, went to the court of the Niṣād Raj.

Niṣād Raj welcomed them with due respect.

Devavrat, accompanied by a retinue of old ministers, arrived at the court of Niṣād Raj, where they were welcomed with due respect.

Expressing his purpose, Prince Devavrat requested Niṣād Raj's daughter's hand for his father. The Niṣād Raj reiterated the condition associated with the union.

In response, Devavrat spoke with a commanding voice, "Just that? Don't worry. My father may not strip me of my right as the crown prince, but I can."

Standing tall, Devavrat made a profound declaration in the court, "I, son of Śāntanu, renounce my position as the crown prince. I pledge to you that your daughter's son shall inherit the throne. Is that sufficient?" 

"I appreciate your understanding, Prince Devavrat. However, as a father deeply concerned for his daughter's future, I must voice my apprehensions.

"Just as your father has no authority to coerce you into relinquishing your right to the throne, you, in turn, cannot compel your own offspring. What if your children, inheriting your strength and prowess, demand their rightful place on the throne in the future? I fear they may possess the capability to seize power," the cunning Niṣād Raj sighed.

"Is that so? It is true that I cannot coerce my children into relinquishing their rights," conceded Devavrat, acknowledging the validity of Niṣād Raj's concerns.

"Yes, exactly. That's why—"

"But no worries," Devavrat interrupted him. "O Niṣād Raj, listen to what I have to say! No one in history has had the courage to make such an oath, nor will there ever be. I, who have already renounced my rights to the throne, shall now address the matter of my children."

The court was convened outside on the bank of the Yamunā River. Devavrat walked to the river, cupped some water in his hand, and offered it in the direction of the Sun. Making a resolute proclamation, he announced,

"I, Gāngey (Son of Gangā) Devavrat, son of King Shāntanu, take this oath today in the presence of the Sun, Earth, Wind, Fire, and the river Yamunā, that from this moment forward until the day I die, I will adhere to Brahmachārya. I shall bear no offspring. I will ensure that the child of Mother Satyavatī becomes the king. I, myself, will safeguard this dynasty until my last breath!"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers rose from their seats in astonishment. 

Niṣād Raj, on the other hand, stood up with glee and exclaimed, "I bestow my daughter!"

Witnessed by Devas, Apsaras, Sages, Gandharvas, and other celestial beings from heaven, they showered Devavrat with flowers and applause. 

Consequently, for undertaking such a formidable oath, Devavrat became renowned throughout Aryavart (also known as Bhārat) as Lord Bhīshma. 

When Bhīshma brought Satyavatī back to the palace and recounted the events to Śāntanu, the king was overwhelmed with emotions.

"What good karma have I done to have such a virtuous son!" Śāntanu, brimming with both gratitude and guilt, expressed, "Devavrat, please ask for something in return. Request any boon you desire."

Devavrat simply bowed down and said, "Father, your happiness is my happiness. However, if you feel compelled to grant me a boon, let it be that I possess the strength to fulfill the oath I have taken. I want to ensure the security of your dynasty."

King Śāntanu, leveraging the good karma amassed in his lifetime, bestowed a boon upon Bhīshma. 

"My dear son, until it is your desire, no death shall befall you. Death will be your servant. You will and can die, only when you wish to."

Bhīshma, humbled by the gesture, touched the feet of his father and his new mother, Satyavatī. He solemnly declared, "I promise you, Father, for as long as I am present, I shall serve the throne and safeguard the Kuru dynasty." 

***

"So, Vāsusen, do you now comprehend why Lord Bhīshma chose to become a Brahmachāri?"

"Yes, sage. It's clear that he loved his father above all else, and his father's happiness held paramount importance to him."

"What other lessons have you gleaned from this?" the sage inquired.

"I've learned that one should never make a promise without thoughtful consideration," Vāsusen responded. The sage nodded in agreement.

"And, if you see a beautiful woman, you gotta run as fast as possible. They bring nothing but trouble." 

Vāsusen's cheeky reply ended up causing the sage to choke from the surprise before a burst of laughter escaped from him.

[A/n: I hope you liked this story. It if very important that even the people who have not read/watched mahabharat understand the family dynamics of the kuru family.

Also, I MC will hear lots of stories in his life, but i will post them as extras in between the main story chapters. Because of this, I won't have to integrate them in the main story and still can make reference to them. These stories were the pop culture at that period after all. Haha.]