King Mahavish belonged to Ekshaku clan. He earned the right to enter heaven being a host to many ceremonies.
Once Mahavish was invited to a party in heaven by none other than Brahma - the chief architect of the universe.
Beautiful Ganga - the goddess of the greatest river - was also present in Bramha's party. Suddenly a gust of wind blew away Ganga's robe.
(this is the first recorded incidence of wardrobe malfunction).
The gods averted their gaze, but Mahavish could not take his eyes off resplendent nude beauty of Ganga.

Brahma grew angry with Mahavish. He cursed him: "You wretched man! Get lost!! Go back to the earth. You may return to the heaven only after you haved lived a human life".
Mahavish chose to be born on earth as Shantanu, son of King Prateep. Shantanu was the emperor after seven generations from Kuru.


Ganga meets the OctoBasus

Ganga was returning to earth after the fateful party of Bramha. Mahavish's admiring eyes still lingering in her mind. On her way back, she noticed a group of angels huddled at the wayside. She was curious.
The angels said: "We, eight of us, are OctoBasus. Saint Vashishta cursed us to human life. But we do not wish to enter a human womb. Will you please give birth to us?"
Ganga agreed to OctoBasus' request.
"Let us be born as sons of emperor Shantanu": OctoBasus suggested.
They wished for more: "We are not looking forward to live entire human life. Human life sucks. Can you please throw us in the river as soon as we are born?"
Ganga agreed, conditionally: "I can do that. But what about the emperor, my husband? He would want at least one son from our union. Won't he?".
OctoBasus said: "Let each of us contribute one-eighth of our sperm for a son. He can live and will be strong, but ... he will be infertile".

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