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Gandhavati and Santanu
One day Shantanu, the Kuru king of Hastinapur, came to the forest on a hunting trip and mesmerized by the musk-fragrance emanating from Satyavati. Allured by her sweet scent, Shantanu reached Satyavati's house and, seeing her, fell in love at first sight. The king asked the fisherman-chief for his daughter's hand; the angler Dusharaj said his daughter would marry the king if – and only if – her sons would inherit the throne.

The king, shocked and dejected, returned to the palace since he had already anointed his son, Devavrata, as heir apparent. Devavrata distressed by his father's condition; he learned about the promise asked by the fisherman-chief from a minister. Immediately, Devavrata rushed to the hut of the fisherman-chief and begged for Satyavati's hand on his father's behalf. The angler repeated his condition and told Devavrata that only Shantanu was worthy of Satyavati; he had rejected marriage proposals from even Brahmarishis like Asita.