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Ganga and Santanu
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either, when you think I am just a slave to my senses and to my subjects. I am prepared to sacrifice anything for my ideals which I find personified in you. So please trust me, and I shall cheerfully accept whatever conditions you may impose on me to ensure your marital status."
"All right. Here they are. Neither you nor anybody else shall ever ask me about my identity or parentage. No one including yourself shall tell me what to do and what not to do, scold me or question my authority over you, or be wroth with me or ask me where I go and what I do. You shall never raise your hand against me. The moment you do any of these things or anybody else does, I am gone."
"I accept all your terms.” Santanu pledged his word.
"I accept you," she said gracefully and coyly returned the arrow to him as if it were a symbol of love. The dove joyously flapped its wings. Trumpets were blown, drums beaten, and that was indeed the occasion for spontaneous rejoicing among the royal retinue. Led by Santanu and his bride, they all rode back to capital awakening the slumbering villages on the way with their lusty cries of victory. By the time they approached the city of Hastinapura, their number had swelled immeasurably, converting the hunting party into a merry, marriage procession.'
For many years, Santanu and his wife lived happily. Though all the time he was anxious to know who his wife was, he would not commit the indiscretion of asking her about her antecedents. He also warned everybody not to be inquisitive about her. Gradually, however, he outgrew his curiosity
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