Shantanu saw a beautiful woman on the banks of the river [Ganges] (Ganga) and asked her to marry him.
She agreed but with one condition: that Shantanu would not ask any questions about her actions.
They married and she later gave birth to a son.
But she drowned the child.
Shantanu could not ask her the reason, because of his promise, lest she would leave him.
One by one, seven sons were born to them and were drowned by Ganga.
When Ganga was about to drown the eighth son, Shantanu, devastated, could not restrain himself and confronted her.
Finally, Ganga explained to King Shantanu about Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and her.
Then she told him that their eight children were Eight Vasus who were cursed by Vasishtha to be born on earth as mortal humans.
However when they pacified him, he limited his curse and told them that they would be freed from this curse within a year of their birth as humans.
So she released the seven of them from this life by drowning them all.
However the Vasu ([Dyaus Pita|Dyaus]) was cursed to live a long life and to never have a wife or have children.
But the sage also gave a boon to him that he would be virtuous, conversant with all the holy scriptures and will be an obedient son to his father.
 Ganga said she would take him to the heavens to train him properly for the King's throne and status.
With these words she disappeared along with the child while Shantanu was struck with grief thinking about spending the rest of his life without her.
Shantanu saw a beautiful woman on the banks of the river [Ganges] (Ganga) and asked her to marry him. She agreed but with one condition: that Shantanu would not ask any questions about her actions. They married and she later gave birth to a son. But she drowned the child. Shantanu could not ask her the reason, because of his promise, lest she would leave him. One by one, seven sons were born to them and were drowned by Ganga. When Ganga was about to drown the eighth son, Shantanu, devastated, could not restrain himself and confronted her. Finally, Ganga explained to King Shantanu about Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and her. Then she told him that their eight children were Eight Vasus who were cursed by Vasishtha to be born on earth as mortal humans. However when they pacified him, he limited his curse and told them that they would be freed from this curse within a year of their birth as humans. So she released the seven of them from this life by drowning them all. However the Vasu ([Dyaus Pita|Dyaus]) was cursed to live a long life and to never have a wife or have children. But the sage also gave a boon to him that he would be virtuous, conversant with all the holy scriptures and will be an obedient son to his father.  Ganga said she would take him to the heavens to train him properly for the King's throne and status. With these words she disappeared along with the child while Shantanu was struck with grief thinking about spending the rest of his life without her.
Shantanu