Shaantanu and Devavrat

Thus 16 years passed since Gangaa had left. Shaantanu used to go for gaming nearby Gangaa River banks. One day he saw that Gangaa River water was not flowing very well. He got surprised to see this and to find out the cause of this he walked along 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. Shaantanu 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 to Shaantanu - "Raajan, I have come here to return your future. This is your son." Then she said to Devavrat - "My son, He is your father." Devavrat greeted him by prostrating himself to his feet. Gangaa said to Shaantanu - "He is well versed in all the arts that a Kashatriya should know. Vashishth Jee has been his Guru. He has learnt Ved and Vedaang. Guru Brihaspati has taught him political science, and at my request Parashuraam Jee has taught him archery. Take this hero to your palaces."

Then she said to Devavrat - "Son, 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.

Shaantanu came back happily with his son Devavrat to his chariot. When Saarathee saw the prince coming, he hailed the prince. The prince said - "If you want to hail, then hail to Hastinaapur, because the kingdom is always higher than king and prince." When they came to palace, people welcomed the prince very enthusiastically.

You might want to read here some interesting event shown on MBH Serial on TV-1.