One day, young Shantanu was enchanted by an exquisite woman roaming in the banks of river Ganga in a golden dress .

Shantanu approached her: “Oh my beauty, who are you? A goddess, or a mere mortal? Whoever you are, will you please marry me?”.

Ganga replied:“ I can be your wife. But on condition. You must not resist any of my actions, be it good or evil. If you ever try to stop me, I will leave you ”.

Shantanu, enchanted by the mysterious woman, agreed.

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Shantanu was happy with his charming and caring new wife. They together had eight babies, all boys, all handsome as god.

But every time, his wife threw the newborn into the river just after birth. Shantanu was irked by her strange act, but he did not resist.

Nevertheless, he could not help himself for the eighth newborn. “Please do not throw the baby in the water”: he pleaded to her. “Why do you reject the babies every time. Why?”

His wife smiled: “You want a son, I know. I will not throw this newborn to the river. But my days with you have now come to an end”.

Then she revealed her identity, told him about the curse of OctoBasus...