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Bhisma
Once upon a time, there were eight Vasus. They were wandering in the forest and they came across the ashram of Vasishtha along with their wives. One of Vasus named Prabhasa's wife was fell in love with a cow named Nandini and she wanted to steal that Nandini from Vasishtha. Other seven Vasus tried to help Prabhasa to steal Nandini. However, when Vasishtha came to know about this and cursed all 8 Vasus. He cursed them to born as mortals on earth and suffer all pains like normal human beings.

All Vasus begged Vasishtha to forgive them. The curse could not take back. Vasishtha told that 7 Vasus except Prabhasa would get the short life on earth but Prabhasa who was the main person in this theft need to survive for long period on earth and he tried to steal the cow because of the desire of his wife, so in the life as a human he was cursed to not marry. He would live a long life on earth, even without wife and sons. This is the story of eight Vasus.

Now come to the actual birth of Bhishma. Santanu fell in love with Ganga and wanted to marry her. Ganga gave birth to eight children.