Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Shantanu included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Śāntanu
(ŚANTANU). Son of King Pratīpa of the lunar dynasty.
(i) For previous life and birth as Śantanu see under Bhīṣma, Para II.
(ii) Married life. (See under Bhīṣma, Paras 2, 3).
Other information.
(i) He was the second son of Pratīpa. His elder brother was called Devāpi, younger one Bālhīka and his mother Sunandā. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 94, Verse 61; Chapter 95, Verse 45).
(ii) He was called Śantanu as things touched by both his hands used to become youthful.
(iii) Śantanu became King as his elder brother Devāpi had, as an infant, renounced the throne and left for the forest. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 94, Verse 62; Chapter 95, Verse 45).
(iv) It was he, who brought to the palace and brought up Kṛpa and Kṛpī, who were found in the forest as orphans. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 95, Verse 46).
(v) Śantanu worships Yama in his court. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 8, Verse 25).
(vi) He attained heaven by doing tapas on Mount Ārcika. (Vana Parva, Chapter 125, Verse 19).
(vii) He is one of the Kings to be remembered both at dawn and dusk. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 165, Verse 58).
(viii) He was absolutely wedded to truth and he possessed great prowess. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 96, Verse 1).
(ix) He conducted thousand aśvamedhas and hundred rājasūyas. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 96, Verse 2).
(x) Synonyms used of him in the Mahābhārata:—Bharata, Bhāratagoptā, Bharatasattama, Kauravya, Kurusattama, Prātīpa etc.