Shantanu’s Family Tree

About Shantanu →

Family

• Ganga(spouse),Bhishma(child),Vasus(child)— Marriage

  Shantanu married the goddess Ganga, who bore him eight sons — the Vasus incarnated in mortal form to fulfill a curse. She drowned seven at birth to free them, keeping only the eighth, Devavrata Bhishma, alive at Shantanu's insistence, then departed.

• Satyavati(spouse),Chitrangada(child),Vichitravirya(child)— Marriage

  Shantanu married Satyavati after Bhishma's vow of celibacy secured her father's consent. Their union produced two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, who continued the Kuru royal line.

Associated with

• Bhishma

  Shantanu blessed his son Devavrata (Bhishma) with the boon of iccha mrityu — the power to choose his own moment of death — in gratitude for Bhishma's vow of celibacy that enabled Shantanu's marriage to Satyavati.