Satyavati is a prominent female character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. She was the mother of Vyasa, who is believed to have composed the Mahabharata, and the grandmother of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the central characters of the epic. Here’s what happened to Satyavati in the Mahabharata:
- Marriage to Shantanu: Satyavati was the daughter of a fisherman and was known for her beauty and fragrance. She was married to King Shantanu, who fell in love with her at first sight.
- Birth of children: Satyavati had two children with Shantanu: Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Chitrangada became the king after Shantanu, but died in battle. Vichitravirya became the next king, but died childless.
- Birth of Vyasa: After Vichitravirya’s death, Satyavati was worried about the future of her family. She asked her son Vyasa, who was born to her through the sage Parashara, to father children with Vichitravirya’s wives. Vyasa agreed, and thus, the Pandavas and Kauravas were born.
- Death: Satyavati is believed to have lived a long and fulfilling life. In some versions of the Mahabharata, it is said that she retired to the forest to live a life of meditation and contemplation.
Overall, Satyavati played a key role in the lineage of the Kuru dynasty and the birth of the Pandavas and Kauravas. She was a strong and intelligent woman who was deeply devoted to her family and their well-being.