The epic Mahabharata begins not with war or rivalry, but with destiny, sacrifice, and an unspoken vow. The union of King Shantanu and Devi Ganga sets the foundation for a lineage shaped by karma and duty, ultimately leading to the birth of Bhishma, whose life would define the moral backbone of the epic.The epic Mahabharata begins not with war or rivalry, but with destiny, sacrifice, and an unspoken vow. The union of King Shantanu and Devi Ganga sets the foundation for a lineage shaped by karma and duty, ultimately leading to the birth of Bhishma, whose life would define the moral backbone of the epic.