King Shantanu Meets Satyavati

Dasharaja was the chief of a group of fishermen. One day, he found a baby girl in the belly of a fish he had caught. He adopted her and named her Satyavati. Since she was born inside a fish, her body gave off a strong fishy odor due to which she was also known as "Matsyagandha" (one who smells of fish). After she grew up into a beautiful maiden, she began ferrying passengers across the river in her father's boat. 

Once, Sage Parashara wished to cross the river. Upon seeing Satyavati, he was enchanted by her beauty and expressed his feelings to her. She feared that if she rejected his advances, he might get angry and curse her. So, she gave in without resistance. In return, the sage bestowed upon her a pleasant fragrance, so that she no longer reeked of fish.

Meanwhile, King Shantanu happily reigned over the Kuru Kingdom. One day, he happened to be taking a walk on the Yamuna riverbank. He sensed a captivating scent and found that it emanated from a ravishing young woman, who introduced herself as Satyavati. The King was completely smitten with her and proposed marriage. Satyavati replied that she was ready to marry him but required her father's permission. So, Shantanu followed her to her home.

Dasharaja was stunned to find the King of Bharatavarsha at his front door. "To what do I owe this honor?" he asked, bowing.

"I want your daughter's hand in marriage," replied Shantanu.

The clever fisherman concealed his excitement and said, "You may marry my daughter on one condition."

"What is your condition?" inquired Shantanu.

"I want Satyavati's son to be your successor."

Shantanu remembered his son, Devavrata, whom he had just declared as his successor. He stood silently for some time and then returned to Hastinapura.