Tales froM Indian Mythology

SR No.: 006950
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: A S Raman
Publisher: Kutub Popular
Publication Year: 1961
Total Pages: 166
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 119

Ganga and Santanu
85
were not satisfied with his cryptic reply. They demanded an explanation. But when they saw tears streaming down his coarse, manly cheeks, they left him alone.
In course of time, she gave birth to another son who shared the fate of the previous one. Another son after some years, yet another, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, a seventh, and they all went the same way. Everybody began to abuse Santanu for having married a mad, bloodthirsty witch of an unknown, mysterious origin. The time for her separation from Santanu seemed to be drawing near, biecause he and his subjects lost their patience.
Meanwhile, her eighth child, also a son, was born. At midnight, as on the previous occasions, she took him in her arms and was about to set out on her fiendish errand, when Santanu held her back. Turning to him, she said : "Do you remember the pledge you gave me at the time of our marriage ?”
"Yes,” replied he, "I do, and I mean to break it. Do not take away my son, you devil !”
"Oh, you are angry with me! So we must part now ?” "I do not care, but give me my child.”
"No, not now. Do you still want to know who I am ? Santanu, do you realize how blessed you are ? Listen to my story. I am no other than the Goddess Ganga herself, and the eight sons I have borne you are all alive. There is no death for them, because they are the Vasus, the celestial attendants of Indra. The eldest of them, Prabhasa, who is in my arms, shall live on earth for many, many years as the symbol of the very best in man. But he shall spend his early childhood with me, since I cannot leave him at the mercy of fools like you.