Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.112

c7.112

8) Gaṅgā became the wife of Śantanu and the Aṣṭavasus were born. Once while hunting on the banks of the Gaṅgā Śantanu saw a beautiful maiden and they fell in love with each other. She agreed to become his wife on the condition that he would not oppose whatever she said. Śantanu agreed to it and married her. Soon after a child was born to them and in the very presence of Śantanu, she threw the child into the Gaṅgā. As per previous condition Śantanu kept mum at this. She threw into the river the seven Aṣṭavasus, who were born to her in succession. When she was about to throw the last eighth of the Aṣṭavasus (Dyau) into the river Śantanu prevented her. She got angry at this and disappeared with the child. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 98).