Shantanu (Sanskrit: शांतनु, शान्तनु, IAST: Shāṃtanu, Shāntanu)[1] was the King of Kuru Kingdom with his capital at Hastinapura, in the epic Mahabharata.

[2] He was a descendant of the Bharata race, a forebear of the lineage of the Chandravamsha, the father of Bhishma and the great-grandfather of the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

[4] The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharata says that the old men of his kingdom who were touched by this monarch not only felt an indescribable sensation of pleasure but also became restored to youth.

Ganga who also relished the mortal act was cursed to be born as human and come back only after breaking Mahabhisha's heart.

But the sage Vashishtha also gave a boon to him that he would be virtuous, conversant with all the holy scriptures and will be an obedient son to his father.

With these words, she disappeared along with the child while Shantanu was struck with grief thinking about spending the rest of his life without her.

[6] Shantanu, filled with grief from the loss of his wife and son, began to practise Brahmacharya and ruled his kingdom extremely well.

Ganga having thus appeared revealed to him that the boy was actually his son Devavrata and that he was taught the knowledge of the holy scriptures by the sage Vasishtha and the art of warfare by Parshurama.

[8] Four years later, Shantanu while travelling near the banks of Yamuna smelled a sweet scent coming from an unknown direction.

Upon asking for his consent, her father agreed to the marriage on the condition that Satyavati's son would inherit the throne of Hastinapura.

King Shantanu was unable to give his word on accession as his eldest son Devavrata was the heir to the throne and was forlorn.

Devavrata, however, realised the cause of his sorrow and for the sake of his father, gave his word to the chief that he would renounce all his claims to the throne, in favour of Satyavati's children.

To reassure the skeptical chief further, he also vowed lifelong celibacy to ensure that future generations borne of Satyavati would also not be challenged by his offspring.

Upon hearing about this, Shantanu at first was heartbroken, but later became highly impressed with his son's love and affection and gave him a boon that he will only die if he wants to.