Shantanu and Devavrat - 1

After Gangaa left, Shantanu got very sad. He often used to go to Gangaa banks and gazed at Gangaa water for long time. He was sad for both Gangaa as well as his son Devavrat. One day when he was coming back from there, he heard cries of children from nearby. When he looked around, he found two children lying and crying on a deer skin under a tree. He said - "It seems that they are of some Braahman's children. It is my duty to protect them." So he picked them up and said - "Because I have got them by the Kripaa (kindness) of Braahman, that is why I will name them Kripaa and Kripee." He brought them to his Kul Guru and asked him to take care of them.

Thus 16 years passed since Gangaa had left. Shantanu used to go for gaming nearby Gangaa River banks. One day he saw that Gangaa River water was not flowing. He got surprised to see this and to find out the cause of this he walked alomg the river for some distance. He found that a net of arrows had stopped Gangaa's water. The net was so well-knitted that not even a drop of water was passing through it. He immediately went there to see as who had done this and wanted to shoot an arrow that Gangaa appeared there. Shantanu got very surprised and happy as well as surprised to see her there.

He asked her to come to his palace, Gangaa said - "Raajan, Does anybody's past return? Past cannot be the part of present. When the Sun has set, it never comes back, rather it ushers only a new day. No one can go back, not even for a moment." The then Gangaa water starting flowing again with a deafening noise and Shanatnu saw a beautiful young boy running towards Gangaa and saying - "See Mother, I did it again." Gangaa said - "Raajan, I have come here to return your future. This is your son." Then she said to Devavrat - "My son, He is your father." Devvavrat greeted him by prostrating himself to his feet. Gangaa said to Shantanu - "He is well versed in all the arts tht a Kashatriya should know. Vashishth has been his Guru. He learned Ved and Vedaang. Guru Brihaspati has taught him political science, and at my request Parashuraam has taught him archery. Take this hero to your palaces." 

Then she said to Devavrat - "Go now with your father where the Itihaas (history) of Hastinaapur is waiting for you." Devavrat asked - "And you, mother?" Gangaa said - "Putra, The shadow of the tree is bound to the tree. It cannot go with the traveler even if it wishes." And Gangaa went away.