Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 13
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
देवापि: शान्तनुस्तस्य बाह्लीक इति चात्मजा: । पितृराज्यं परित्यज्य देवापिस्तु वनं गत: ॥ १२ ॥ अभवच्छान्तनू राजा प्राङ्महाभिषसंज्ञित: । यं यं कराभ्यां स्पृशति जीर्णं यौवनमेति स: ॥ १३ ॥
devāpiḥ śāntanus tasya bāhlīka iti cātmajāḥ pitṛ-rājyaṁ parityajya devāpis tu vanaṁ gataḥ
Die Söhne Pratīpas waren Devāpi, Śāntanu und Bāhlīka. Devāpi gab das väterliche Reich auf und ging in den Wald; darum wurde Śāntanu König. Śāntanu, der in einem früheren Leben Mahābhiṣa hieß, konnte durch bloße Berührung mit seinen Händen Greise wieder zur Jugend führen.
FAQs
In Canto 9, Chapter 22, verse 13, Śukadeva describes that King Śāntanu (formerly Mahābhiṣa) could restore youth to whatever or whomever he touched with his hands.
This verse identifies that Śāntanu was previously known as Mahābhiṣa, indicating his earlier identity before becoming king in the lunar (Puru) dynasty line.
The Bhagavatam often highlights remarkable traits in dharmic rulers to show how divine destiny and virtue can manifest as unusual blessings—encouraging readers to value dharma and devotion over temporary bodily youth.