Jaya- Mahabharat

देवव्रतः - Devavrat

Shantanu and Ganga began their marital life happily and peacefully. Ganga's presence brought tranquility and freshness to the entire kingdom. Shantanu's subjects experienced heightened levels of auspiciousness and regular joy.

Amidst such beautiful circumstances, Ganga became pregnant. When Shantanu heard of it, his joy knew no bounds. He was going to be a father. He was sure his child would bring him so much joy. He began making several arrangements, for Ganga's loving care and his child's smooth arrival. Ganga, as ever, took care of herself and her child. Although free of anyone's question, she never took a toe out of the line. She abided by all required protocols of pregnancy, and Shantanu fell more and more in love with her. What had he done to deserve so much joy!

When the day of delivery dawned, the sun rose with the echoes of the crying of the newborn child of Shantanu and Ganga. It was a son. Beautiful, and healthy. When Shantanu heard of the good news he ran without thinking anything, to Ganga's room. Upon entering, to his great surprise, Ganga wasn't there. He looked here and there. Nobody was in.

As he glanced out of his window, he saw Ganga walking out of the Palace, with the baby in hands. Overwhelmed as well confused, he ran to catch pace with her. He couldn't even think of the various questions arising. As he ran out of the palace, he saw her taking the turn. He followed her pace with great difficulty. At the final turn, he saw her kneeling, over the bank of river Ganga. He walked slowly from behind her. He was blank. What was she gonna do?

Splash. Ganga dropped the baby into the gushing river. Shantanu opened his mouth to scream but voice failed him. He couldn't even speak. His eyes bulged. His hand shivered. What horror had he witnessed?! Did this lady, just drop his first child into the water? Shantanu waited, horror struck, stood affixed and rooted to the ground. He thought maybe some miracle would happen, and the child will be returned by the river to its goddess. But Ganga, stood up and straightened herself. She curtly turned and gave one side glance to Shantanu, speaking nothing. Then she walked back silently, softly. Her face was devoid of any grief or regret. Shantanu stood there staring at the river.

He was blank. Nothing struck him. He ran to the banks, but surely there was no use now. The child must have been dead, and being carried away by the stream. God. What horrific sin has Ganga committed! Why? Why did she do this? What kind of act is this? How in any case can this be neglected? How did she even do it without guilt or regret? What was in her mind? Why didn't she share it with him?

A thousand questions raged in him. But, Alas! He couldn't ask even a single one of them. He turned, to see the silhouette of Ganga blurring away, advancing towards the palace. He remembered, that he had given his promise. He won't ask her any questions.

.....................
When he came back to the palace gates, disheartened, sorrow-filled, he glanced at Ganga's window. She was standing there. Not tear eyed. Not grief-struck. Not ashamed. A gentle smile was firm on her plump lips. Her eyes were tinkling in the dusk's evening sunlight. She stood there, as if contacting the heavens.

Although disheartened, Shantanu couldn't grieve over it for long. It has been over a year since his marriage. The subjects will expect an heir. If only his first son could've been let to live, he would be of 1 year now. He could be playing with Shantanu. But all this, he had already lamented over. Now, his heart was back to its tranquility. Ganga had again gone back to her former life. Nobody asked her questions. Yet she continued to follow all the virtues of a wife. Shantanu thought that "She is a divine lady. Maybe she had done it for some purpose. Of course she should have. How can a mother drown her just born baby, if not for some reason. But why wasn't she aggrieved? Was she so detached from human life? Did children not matter to mothers in heaven, from where this Ganga has descended?
But... Whether or not aggrieved.. She had a reason. For that, she is worth forgiving. She is a celestial person. She can't be evil." And just like that he found several reasons, justifications and logical explanations to forgive Ganga. He became amiable with her again. And so everything was perfectly fine soon.
Soon, Ganga became pregnant again. And Shantanu was as joyful as the last time. This time, he waited outside Ganga's room during the delivery. As the cries of the new born baby erupted and echoed, his heart was filled with excitement. He couldn't help but rush inside, but before he opened the room, the door opened on itself, as the helpers and servants left. Shantanu waited and after they left, he again reached for the room door. This time again, the room door opened before he did it, and this time, Ganga stood in the doorframe, holding the baby and smiling. He bubbled with excitement as he extended his hands to get hold of the child -it was again a beautiful and healthy baby boy. But Ganga, instead of handing it over to him, smiled at him, and walked. Shantanu followed, anxiety taking over him. "No.. No... She can't... " As he kept telling himself that, he couldn't help but notice his own foolishness. Ganga was walking along the same path, to the banks of the river Ganga. Once at the banks, he wanted to stop her.. But that would mean breaking his promise. As he was immersed in the ethical dilemma, even before he found a conclusion,