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Ganga and Santanu
is capable of achieving it? Let us meet that child. Who knows, he may be some god !"
When Santanu and his party approached the boy, he sprang to his feet, pulled out an arrow from his quiver and aimed it at them. Santanu smiled and raised his hands to suggest surrender. Suddenly Ganga rose from the river and spoke to the boy thus: "My precious Devavrata! He is Santanu, your father. Salute him, my child.” Turning to Santanu, she said, "Now I can give you back your son. Devavrata has Parasurama's skill in archery, Sukra's proficiency in all the arts, crafts and sciences, and Brihaspati's wisdom. As long as he lives on earth, he shall remain its supreme glory." She disappeared.
Devavrata bowed to Santanu who took him in his arms and smothered him with kisses. The party returned to the capital, and on an auspicious day, with due ceremony, the prince was named heir-apparent.
Devavrata later became famous as Bhishma and shaped the destinies of many generations of heroes of the Mahabharata.
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