the love story of King Duṣyanta and Śakuntalā, whose union leads to the birth of Bharata—the mighty emperor after whom the Bhārata dynasty is named. Bharata grows into a fearless ruler and establishes a lineage of kings that eventually produces King Śāntanu. Śāntanu encounters the radiant Gaṅgā on the riverbank and is captivated, agreeing to her mysterious condition that he should never question her actions. Gaṅgā marries him and births their children, drowning each newborn into the river as part of a divine vow. When she attempts to take the eighth child as well, Śāntanu finally breaks his silence, and Gaṅgā leaves with the child—Devavrata—who will later become Bhīṣma, the cornerstone of the Kuru dynasty.