The epic begins with Emperor Bharata passing over his biological sons to choose a commoner based strictly on merit, setting a high standard for righteousness in Hastinapur. Generations later, King Shantanu breaks this trend when he falls in love with the river goddess Ganga. He accepts her condition to never question her actions, but is forced to intervene when she drowns their eighth newborn son to release him from a celestial curse. Ganga departs with the infant, returning years later with Devavrata, a highly trained prince who is quickly named crown prince. However, to allow his heartbroken father to marry a fisher-girl named Satyavati, Devavrata takes a profound and terrifying vow of lifelong celibacy and gives up his right to the throne, earning the name Bhishma. Bhishma eventually abducts princesses Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika
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