As a result of Devavrat’s vow of celibacy, Shantanu can marry Satyavati and find love at last. But he realizes what a terrible price his son must pay, and decides to reward Devavrat with a boon that prevents him from dying unless he desires to die. Devavrat will henceforth be known as Bhishma. When the Royal Priest scolds the king for endangering the kingdom by allowing Devavrat/Bhishma to abdicate, Bhishma proclaims that he will not choose to die as long as the kingdom is in any danger.
Later, the Royal Priest retires and appoints Kripacharya to be his successor. And meanwhile, Shantanu and Satyavati’s happiness with each other starts to give way to guilt over what they had to deny Devavrat and the kingdom. The guilt ultimately becomes so overwhelming to Shantanu that he succumbed to it.
Tropes found here are
- Babies Ever After: Shantanu and Satyavati have two sons. Doesn’t do anything to assuage their guilt.
- Death by Despair: Shantanu succumbs to it.
- Declining Promotion: What Bhishma’s oath essentially is - he is declining the position of heir to the throne.
- Guilt Complex: Shantanu and Satyavati feel this by the cartloads.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Shantanu and Satyavati feel this way.
