सम्भव पर्व — चित्रांगदको कथा

Vaishampayana said : O king, after the conclusion of the marriage, the king Shantanu installed that beautiful lady in his household,

Thereupon, the wise Shantanu begot on his wife Satyavati a very powerful hero, named Chitrangada, the best of men.

The powerful king begot on Satyavati another son, named Vichitravirya, who became a mighty bow-man; and he became king after his father.

Before that best of men, Vichitravirya, had attained the majority, his father succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time.

When Shantanu went to heaven, Bhishma, who was always obedient to Satyavati, installed that chastiser of foes, Chitrangada on the throne.

Chitrangada also defeated all the kings of the world by his prowess. He could not find equal of him among men.

Seeing him defeat men, Asuras and even the celestials, the powerful king of the Gandharvas, who bore the same name with him, came to him foe a fight.

Between that foremost of the Kurus and the powerful Gandharva Chief, a fearful combat took place on the field of Kurukshetra. The combat lasted for three long years on the banks of the Sarasvati. In that fierce encounter, which was covered with showers of weapons, the best of the Kurus was killed, by the Gandharva through his greater prowess or power of Maya (illusion).

Having killed that best of men, the chastiser of foes, Chitrangada, the Gandharva went to heaven.

When that best of men, the greatly powerful prince, was killed, Bhishma the son of Shantanu performed all his obsequies.

Thereupon, he installed the mighty armed boy Vichitravirya, still in his minority, on the throne of the Kuru kingdom.

Vichitravirya, ever obedient to Bhishma, ruled the kingdom of his father and grand-sires.

He adopted the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, learned in the Shastras of religion and law. He too protected him very virtuously.