The celestial realm trembled with anticipation as the gods and goddesses anxiously awaited the birth of Devi Niyati. Five hundred years before the end of the Dwaparayug, Mahadev had ignited the spark of time, setting the wheels of destiny in motion. The air was electric with expectation as the divine beings wondered where Niyati would take birth and begin her journey.

Dev Raj Indra, the King of the gods, paced restlessly, his mind consumed by uncertainty. His eyes burned with fierce longing as he felt an overwhelming urge to seek guidance from Narayana. But Dev Guru Brihaspati's words of caution echoed in his mind like a warning bell. "Remember the boon we asked of Devi Niyati and her warning against disobedience," the wise guru reminded him, his voice dripping with foreboding.

Kuber, the god of wealth, shared Indra's impatience. His voice was laced with desperation as he urged, "Dev Guru Brihaspati, we cannot simply sit and wait for Niyati's birth. We must seek guidance from Tridev. The universe's fate hangs in the balance, and every moment counts."

Just then, Maharshi Narada appeared, his presence commanding attention. His eyes blazed with an inner fire as he chanted, "Narayan, Narayan," the celestial beings bowing before him in reverence. Narada's wise eyes scanned the gathering, his voice filled with a deep sense of urgency. "When we asked Devi Niyati for the boon to change the course of lives, we knew it would take time, Kuber. But time is running out. We must be patient yet vigilant. We are playing a deadly game with Niyati, and the stakes are higher than ever."

A shiver ran down the celestial beings' spines as Narada's words struck a chord of fear within them. Vayu Dev, the god of air, spoke up, his voice laced with dread. "Why do I feel that we have made a grave mistake? That we have unleashed a power that we cannot control?"

Guru Brihaspati's expression was somber, his eyes filled with a deep concern. "A mistake has indeed been made, Vayu Dev. But now, we must face the consequences. Let us be patient yet prepared. We must not deviate from our roles but act whenever our presence is crucial. And if anyone doubts, it is time for us to seek guidance from Brahma Lok, and it's time for his curse is about to unfold."

The celestial beings nodded in unison, their faces set with determination. They knew the wait had just begun, and the universe's fate hung in the balance. As they dispersed, each one couldn't help but wonder: where would Devi Niyati be born, and what would be the nature of her divine intervention? Would she bring salvation or destruction? Only time will tell.

The Unfortunate Gaze

Mahabhisha, the illustrious King of the Ikshvaku dynasty. He possessed many virtuous qualities, and after performing a thousand Ashvamedha Yagnas and a hundred Rajsuya Yagnas (to qualify as an emperor), he attained heaven after his death. Today, he stood among the celestial gathering in Brahma Lok. His eyes shone with reverence as he beheld the divine assembly where Devas and the sacred Ganga had congregated to discuss the impending birth of Devi Niyati.

As the celestials worshipped Brahma, a sudden gust of wind swept through the gathering, displacing Devi Ganga's garments and revealing her resplendent form. The assembly instinctively bowed their heads in reverence, except for Mahabhisha, whose gaze remained fixed on the goddess.

Brahma's wrath was instantaneous. His eyes blazed with indignation as he cursed Mahabhisha, "You shall be born as a mortal, forsaking your divine existence!" The weight of the curse settled upon Mahabhisha like a physical burden.

Devi Ganga, too, was not spared. Brahma's curse also extended to her: "You shall be born as a human, and your return to the celestial realm shall be contingent upon breaking Mahabhisha's heart." A subtle smile played on her lips as if she relished the prospect of this mortal endeavor.

Mahabhisha, grasping the gravity of his situation, appealed to Brahma, "I wish to be born as the son of Kuru King Pratipa." Brahma's nod sealed his fate, and the celestial beings exchanged knowing glances, whispering, "The story repeats itself, unchanged..."

Yet, amidst this grand drama, a question lingered, echoing through the cosmos: "Where is Devi Niyati?" The celestial assembly awaited her arrival with bated breath, unaware of her presence's profound impact on the mortal realm.

The Celestial Union

In the hallowed halls of the Kuru dynasty, King Pratipa ruled with kindness and compassion, beloved by all creatures. His eyes, aglow with spiritual fervor, seemed to hold the wisdom of the ages. He had performed ascetic penances for many years at the source of the majestic River Ganga, whose crystal waters flowed like liquid moonlight.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and Pratipa's eyes fluttered open. Before him stood a vision of loveliness, a maiden with skin as radiant as the moon and hair that flowed like the river itself. She was Ganga, the celestial goddess, and had descended upon the mortal realm to fulfil an ancient promise.

Unbeknownst to Ganga, the right thigh was reserved for daughters and daughters-in-law, while the left was for wives. Pratipa, sensing the weight on his right thigh, opened his eyes to behold the celestial maiden. His gaze was met with a mixture of surprise and reverence.

"Ah, fairest one," Pratipa exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder, "you have embraced me, sitting on my right thigh. But the timid ones know this is the seat for daughters and daughters-in-law. The left lap is for the wife. Therefore, best of women, I cannot enjoy you as an object of desire, for it is against my nature. Please be my daughter-in-law and accept my son as your husband."

Ganga's smile deepened, and she nodded in agreement. "O virtuous one, I accept your proposal. Let me be united with your son. I shall be the wife of the celebrated King of the Kuru dynasty. I'm incapable of numbering the virtues of this race even within a hundred years. The greatness and goodness of many celebrated monarchs of this dynasty are limitless. But my dear King, let it be understood now that when I become your daughter-in-law, your son shall not be able to judge the propriety of my acts. Living with your son, I shall do good to him and increase his happiness. And he shall finally attain to heaven in consequence of the sons I shall bear him, and of his virtues and good conduct."

As Ganga vanished into thin air, Pratipa was left to ponder the significance of their encounter. He awaited the birth of his son, who would fulfil the promise made to the celestial maiden. However, fate had other plans. Pratipa's elder son, Devapi, was afflicted with leprosy and had renounced his claim to the throne to become a hermit. The second son, Bahlika, had abandoned his paternal kingdom to live with his maternal uncle, Balkh, and eventually inherited his kingdom.

Years passed, and Pratipa's wife, Sunanda, gave birth to a child in their old age. The child was named Shantanu. Pratipa's son, Shantanu, became a strong and just king. He ruled with wisdom and compassion, beloved by his people. But despite his many accomplishments, Shantanu felt an inexplicable sense of longing, a feeling that there was something more to life than the mundane routines of royal duty.

Then, he saw her—the celestial goddess Ganga, standing on the banks of the River Ganga, her beauty shining like a beacon in the sunlight. Shantanu's heart skipped a beat as he gazed upon her, his soul drinking in her loveliness.

Without a word, Ganga turned to face him, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that left him breathless. Shantanu knew at that moment that he was doomed to love this celestial goddess with every fiber of his being, doomed to follow her wherever she might lead.

"Who are you, celestial one?" Shantanu asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Are you a goddess or the daughter of any god?" he continued, his eyes burning with curiosity. "Do you belong to the Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakshas, or Nagas race? Hey, celestial beauty, I request you to be my wife?"

Ganga's smile was enigmatic. "O King, I shall accept your proposal on one condition. You must never ask me about my origin or the true nature of my being. You must also never question me or my actions – good or bad. You must stand by me on all counts. If you act against these conditions, I shall leave you then and there."

Shantanu, smitten by Ganga's beauty and charm, accepted her condition without hesitation. And so, they were married, their union sealed by the sacred vows of marriage. Little did Shantanu know that he had just given an open boon like Raja Dasharath gave one for his wife Kaikeya, and now this moment will have far-reaching consequences for himself, his kingdom, and the very fabric of destiny itself.

A Father's Unbearable Pain

Shantanu and Ganga's lives were serene tapestries of love and happiness, but a cauldron of sorrow simmered beneath the surface. The celestial beings watched with bated breath, awaiting a change in destiny.

Their first child was born with a smile, and Ganga took the infant to the River Ganga and cast it into the waters. The child's cries were abruptly silenced as it was submerged beneath the surface. Shantanu was aghast with horror, his mind reeling in shock. He wanted to ask Ganga why but restrained himself, mindful of his promise to her.

This heart-wrenching ritual repeated itself six more times, each child meeting the same fate. Shantanu's grief deepened his pain, a palpable force that threatened to consume him. Yet, he remained silent, bound by his promise.

The eighth child was born, and Ganga, with the same intention, walked towards the river. Shantanu's instincts screamed at him to intervene, but his promise paralyzed him. However, when the eighth child was born and Ganga walked towards the river with the same intention, Shantanu's resolve crumbled. "Stop!" he cried, his voice shaking with emotion. "I forbid you to kill this child!"

Ganga's smile was enigmatic as she replied, "This child will live, but I must leave you now." Her words cut through Shantanu like a knife, leaving him shattered.

With a heavy heart, Ganga revealed her true identity as the goddess of the River Ganga. She explained that their children were the eight Vasus, gods of the eight elements - Anala (Fire), Dhara (Earth), Anila (Wind), Aha (Space), Pratyusha (Sun), Prabhasa (Sky), Soma (Moon), and Dhruva (Stars) - cursed to be born as mortal men.

Shantanu's fatherly pain was overwhelming as he asked, "But why? Why were they cursed?" Ganga's story unfolded like a dark tapestry, revealing the Vasus' transgression and the sage's subsequent curse.

The eight Vasus had been travelling on a holiday with their wives when they came across Sage Vashishtha's ashram. Outside the ashram, they saw Nandini, Vasishta's divine cow. One of Prabhasa's wives requested it, and Prabhasa, overcome by his wife's imploring requests, agreed to steal the cow.

The eight Vasus took Nandini and her calf by force and disappeared before Vashishtha returned. Upon his arrival, Vashishtha discovered Nandini missing and, through his divine vision, saw all that had transpired. Enraged, he cursed the eight Vasus to be born as mortal men.

When the eight Vasus learned of this curse, they begged for forgiveness. Sage Vasishta replied, "Request Goddess Ganga to be your mother on earth and ask her to relieve you after your birth so you may return to the heavens without long years of suffering." Since Prabhasa stole the cow, the curse would remain in full effect for him, and he would have to live his entire life on earth like a human.

Ganga had agreed to the Vasus' request, knowing she would become Shantanu's wife and carry out this task. With these words, she disappeared, along with the child, leaving Shantanu shattered and grief-stricken.

The celestial beings watched with concern worried that destiny's course would remain unchanged. But Dev Guru Brihaspati reminded them, "Niyati, the force of destiny, will change its course in time." Thus, the stage was set for the epic tale of the Pandavas and the Kauravas and the arrival of Narayan as Shri Krishna.