[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.4984 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4984 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.4984 - **Language:** English ### [c9.4984](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4984) i) \*Preface.\* Within this period many changes had taken place in Hastināpura and the bank of Yamunā. Śantanu the king of the Lunar dynasty had married Gaṅgādevī, who had disappeared after giving the king a son named Devavrata (Bhīṣma). Bhīṣma grew up. Once Śantanu was hunting in the forest when he was attracted by the sweet smell of musk. Tracing the origin of that smell, the king reached the fisherman's hut on the banks of the Yamunā. That smell proceeded from Kastūrigandhā (Satyavatī) the mother of Vyāsa. The king fell in love with her. He returned to the palace, sad and silent. Learning the cause of his father's sadness, Devavrata went to the fisherman's hut and took Satyavatī to the palace to be given to his father. Devavrata had taken a vow that the kingdom would be given to the son born to Satyavatī and that he would remain unmarried, throughout his life. Because he had taken so terrible a vow, Devavrata came to be called Bhīṣma from that day onwards. - [Previous: c9.4983](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4983) - [Next: c9.4985](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4985) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4984](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4984) · Pramāṇa