Bhishma Pratigya

Devavrata found his father, Shantanu perturbed. He asks his father what is the cause of his displeasure. But Shantanu brushes it aside as nothing. Devavrata being the devout son, decides to try to find what was disturbing his father. So he summons a minister who is close to his father and asked him what was disturbing the king. The minister tells Devavrata that the king had visited a fisherman's hut recently and ever since then, he has been aloof and distraught. Devavrata immediately proceeds to meet the fisherman.

The fisherman greets Devavrata and invites him into his humble hut. Inside, he sees a beautiful maiden with a divine fragrance. The fisherman introduces her as his daughter Satyavati. Devavrata asks the fisherman if the king had come to his hut. The fisherman affirms the visit. Devavrata then asks him what transpired there that has left his father, the King, very upset. The fisherman then tells Devavrata,  "A few days ago, the King had come to the banks of river Yamuna, where Satyavati, ferried the king across the river in her boat. The King, Shantanu, fell in love with her and came to me to ask her hand in marriage. This was the happiest thing that could happen to my daughter. But I was concerned that, when the King had a great, learned and able son in you, O! Devavrata, my daughters off springs would never even get a chance to the throne. Hence I told the king that that she could marry her only on the condition that her offspring would be the heir to the throne."

Devavrata quickly realized the reason behind his fathers dejection. Shantanu loved him so much that he could never ask his only son to not be the next ruler. Hence he did not pursue the alliance with Satyavati. But since he could not have her, Shantanu was dejected. Devavrata decides that his fathers happiness is paramount and tells the fisherman that he would rescind his right to the throne to the offspring of Shantanu and Satyavati. The fisherman thinks for a while and says, "You are indeed a great human being to sacrifice your right for your father. But your offspring's may not be as righteous as you are and may challenge my daughters progeny. So how can her descendants claim their right?"

Devavrata thought for a while and said, "I would never marry nor have children. Hence there is no question about Satyavati's descendants not having a right on the kingdom."  Devavrat took a Pratigya (Vow, Pledge) too great in nature. He had just vowed to remain celibate through out his life and abstain from conjugal love out of love for his father. Everyone who heard this was astounded. The Gods and the celestial beings, blessed Devavrata for this Act. From then on he was known as the Bhishma, the one who took the Bhishma Pratigya (the terrible oath).

Bhishma takes Satyavati to his father. Shantanu is amazed at his son. Out of love for him, he grants him the wish of Sweccha Mrityu, or the power to decide the time of his death out of his self will.