Peace returned to Hastinapur.
Under the rule of King Shantanu and the guardianship of Bhishma, the Kuru throne glowed with stability. The city's streets were filled with song and trade; its walls echoed with the laughter of children. The people spoke with reverence of their king and with awe of the son who had sacrificed everything for his father's happiness.
Shantanu, at last, had found contentment beside his new queen, Satyavati, the daughter of the fisherman. Her grace was matched only by her intelligence. Though born of humble origins, she carried within her a quiet strength — a sense that destiny flowed through her veins like the river she once called home.
From their union were born two sons — Chitrangada and Vichitravirya.
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The Passing of the King
Years passed peacefully until the day came when King Shantanu, his hair silver and his voice weary with age, felt the call of the heavens. Surrounded by Bhishma, Satyavati, and his sons, he smiled faintly and said,
> "I go where kings must go, but fear not — for as long as Bhishma stands, Hastinapur shall never fall."
And so, with blessings on his lips and peace in his heart, Shantanu departed the mortal world.
The kingdom mourned deeply, for he had been a just and gentle king.
In the halls of Hastinapur, Bhishma lit the sacred flame himself, his face calm, though his heart burned with grief.
Now the throne stood empty.
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Chitrangada, the First King
By the law of succession, the elder son, Chitrangada, ascended the throne.
Handsome, brave, and proud, he bore the valor of his father and the fire of his mother. Under his rule, Hastinapur's armies grew stronger; the kingdom expanded its reach across Aryavarta.
But youth and pride are dangerous companions.
Chitrangada's fame spread like wildfire — and with it, envy took root in the heart of a celestial being who bore the same name: Chitrangada, the Gandharva, a warrior of the heavens.
One night, the Gandharva descended to earth, his chariot blazing across the sky like lightning.
He appeared before the Kuru king and said,
> "O mortal who dares bear my name and boast of glory — there cannot be two Chitrangadas in the world. Come, let us test whose fame shall endure."
The challenge could not be refused.
For days and nights, the battle raged between man and celestial — their weapons flashing like stars, their roars shaking the earth.
The gods watched in silence, for destiny itself held its breath.
In the end, the mortal fell.
King Chitrangada, son of Shantanu, was slain upon the field, and the heavens thundered in grim acknowledgment.
When word reached Hastinapur, Bhishma stood unmoving, his gaze lost beyond the horizon.
He performed the rites himself, speaking no words, only the language of fire and duty.
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Vichitravirya and the Burden of the Throne
After mourning, the younger brother Vichitravirya was crowned king.
But he was still a youth — gentle in heart, lacking the strength and fire of his brother.
The weight of the crown pressed heavy upon him, and Bhishma, bound by his vow, took it upon himself to guide the young monarch.
For years, peace endured again.
Hastinapur stood tall, its people loyal, its guardian eternal.
Yet time, as ever, waited patiently to move its hand.
When Vichitravirya came of age, Satyavati turned to Bhishma and said,
> "My son must not rule alone. It is time he took a queen to stand beside him."
Bhishma agreed.
And so began his journey to find a bride for the young king —
a journey that would lead to one of the most fateful encounters in the history of Bharat.
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The wheel of destiny began to turn once more.
Far away, in the kingdom of Kashi, three princesses were about to change the future of Hastinapur forever.
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