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BIRTH OF SHANTANU

Mahabhisha was a powerful king of the Ikshavaku dynasty. Because of his good deeds and by peforming thousands of Ashvamedha Yagnas and hundreds of Rajasuya Yagnas while being the King, he attained a place in heaven, and once visited Lord Bramha’s Court, where all the celestial beings along with Goddess Ganga was present. While the celestials were worshipping Lord Brahma, a strong wind blew and it displaced Goddess Ganga’s clothes. Everyone bent their head, except for Mahabhisha. Seeing this inappropriate act of Mahabhisha, Brahma fumed with anger and cursed Mahabhisha and Ganga to be born as mortals, and Ganga would be able to come back after breaking Mahabhisha’s heart. 

Thus, Mahabhisha was reborn as Shantanu, the son of the Kuru king Pratipa.

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CURSE OF THE EIGHT VASUS

Sage Vashishta was the royal priest of the Raghu Dynasty which belonged to Lord Rama. Arundhati, wife of Vashishta used to help him in teaching the Vedas to his disciples. In order to help Arundhati with her chores, Lord Brahma gifted them a wish fulfilling cow, Nandini, daughter of Kamadhenu.

One day, the 8 vasus (divine beings) after having a meal at Sage Vashistha’s house, went and told their wives about Nandini and Prabhasa, one of the vasus, provoked the other vasus, and attempted to steal Nandini from the Ashram as he wanted to gift it to his wife upon her desire. When Sage Vashishta found out he cursed the vasus, that they would all be born on Earth. After they begged for mercy, the Sage reduced the potency of the curse and said that Prabhasa, the one who tied Nandini was cursed to live a long life on earth without wife and children. But was given a boon to be one among the important persons in holy scriptures. While the others would be immersed in the holy Ganga, to wash away their sins, as soon as they were born. And the cursed Vasus were born as the sons of Ganga and Shantanu, and Eighth child was Devavrata who lived for a long time.