Shantanu's Sons and the Gandharva War
After Shantanu's death, Bhishma places the mighty warrior Chitrangada on the throne. Having conquered every earthly king, Chitrangada faces his only equal: a Gandharva king who shares his name. Their duel on the banks of the Hiranyavati river lasts for three years.
After his marriage to Satyavati, King Shantanu lived to see two sons born. The first was Chitrangada, a brave and wise warrior superior to all men in valour. The second was Vichitravirya, who grew to be a powerful archer. But before Vichitravirya could reach adulthood, Shantanu succumbed to the law of destiny and died.
Bhishma, ever obedient to Satyavati, performed the funeral rites for his father. Then, in accordance with dharma, he instated Chitrangada, the chastiser of enemies, on the throne of the Kurus.
Chitrangada was a king without peer. Through his valour, he defeated every earthly king. He searched the world and could find no man equal to himself. He had conquered gods, men, and asuras (demons). His reign seemed unchallengeable.
Then his equal arrived, from a different realm entirely.
The king of the gandharvas — the celestial musicians and warriors of the sky — came to challenge him. This gandharva king bore the same name: Chitrangada. On the fields of Kurukshetra, a great battle began between these two powerful warriors. The fight was so immense, so evenly matched, that it could not be settled in a day, or a month, or a year. It moved to the banks of the river Hiranyavati and raged on for three years.
The duel was characterized by a constant, terrifying shower of weapons. For three years, the human king and the gandharva king fought, neither yielding. In the end, the gandharva used superior powers of delusion — magical illusions beyond mortal skill — and killed the supreme among the Kurus. Having slain his namesake, the gandharva Chitrangada returned to heaven.
When that tiger among men was killed, Bhishma performed the funeral rites for his half-brother. Then the mighty-armed prince faced the succession. The only remaining heir was Vichitravirya, Shantanu's younger son, who was still a child and had not yet attained youth.
Bhishma instated the boy as king of the Kuru kingdom. Vichitravirya, ruling under Bhishma's protection and guidance, always listened to Bhishma's words. He governed the kingdom of his father and grandfather, paying homage to Bhishma, who was skilled in dharma and the sacred texts. In return, Bhishma protected him.