Week 13 Story: The Child Slayer

Long ago, there was an all-consuming war that swallowed the lands of India. This war was due to one specific event, but that one event was due to everything that took place -- both before and after.

How did this event take place? Grab some snacks, get comfy, and I'll tell you all about it.

There was a king that went by the name of Shantanu that was single and, apparently, ready to mingle. One day, he was in the bank of Ganga when he fell in love with a river goddess. He hoped the feelings were mutual, and they were indeed! Right then and there, he decided he would ask her to be his wife. (Yes, that's how things went back then). 

Ganga, the river goddess, said yes but made him promise to never question any of her decisions. Blinded by love, Shantanu saw no problem with that request and agreed. 

A year went by and they had their first child. Out of no where, Ganga drowned the baby and King Shantanu was very upset as anyone would be. Queen Ganga continued doing this and killed their next six children as well. Staying loyal to his promise, King Shantanu never questioned her actions. 

Eventually, the couple had their eighth child and the queen went to do to him as she had the previous children. King Shantanu finally broke and stopped her to ask why she was doing this yet again. 

This is where things start to get a little sticky in the story. I'm sure that's the last time King Shantanu will ever break his promise with a goddess. 

She informed him of the 8 Vasus who had been cursed to live mortal lies for a crime committed long ago. Ganga had agreed to give birth to the 8 celestial spirits and free them from mortality as soon as they came into the world. 

After Ganga told him the truth, she pulled out a knife and looked as though she was going to slice the baby up. In outrage and disgust, Shantanu snatched the baby and took off on his horse.

He left her and took their last remaining son as he could not bear to see her murder the small being that looked identical to himself. 

After fleeing to the opposite side of India, Shantanu and several gods banned together to take on Ganga when she arrived. Little did they know, this would be the war that goes down in history. 

(Photo from WikiMedia).

Author's Note:
This story was based on the Epified videos over Mahabharata. The Mahabharata is a story of kings and queens, heroes and villains...It's a story of an all-consuming war that swallowed the subcontinent. Mahabharata is said to be due to karma. Everything throughout is thought to occur because of what happened before and after the fact. 
The videos started with King Shantanu of Hastinapur in the bank of Ganga when he fell in love with a river goddess. Ganga, the river goddess, said yes but made him promise to never question any of her decisions. When they had their first child, Ganga drowned the baby and King Shantanu was very upset as anyone would be. Queen Ganga killed their next six children as well and King Shantanu never questioned her actions once. Once the eighth child was born and the queen was about to drown it, King Shantanu stopped her and asked her why she was doing this. She then informed him of the 8 Vasus who had been cursed to live mortal lies for a crime committed long ago. Ganga had agreed to give birth to the 8 celestial spirits and free them from mortality as soon as they came into the world. 
After Ganga told him the truth, she left him and took their last remaining son with her. The son's name was Devarat and he was a very skilled archer. 
I changed the story by making Shantanu take his son with him and then form a war between those on his side and those on her side. I also made the soy a bit more relaxed and in a story-telling format.

The Mahabharata by Epified.