<P> The Kuru king Pratipa was once meditating, in atonement for the crimes he had committed in seizing the throne of Hastinapur . At that time Ganga took the form of a beautiful woman, approached the king and sat on his right thigh . When he asked her what she wanted, Ganga requested him to become her husband . Pratipa however refused since he had taken a vow not to lust for anybody, and also that she had sat on his right thigh and according to traditions a man's right thigh was for his daughter or daughter - in - law while the left thigh was for his wife . He then proposed that she marry his son, to which she agreed . </P> <P> A child was born to Pratipa and his wife in their old age . He was named Shantanu because when he was born his father had controlled his passions by ascetic penances . Pratipa then installed Shantanu as king of Hastinapura and retired into the woods to perform penances . Bahlika who was elder than Shantanu also gave permission to him for becoming the king of Hastinapura . </P> <P> Shantanu saw a beautiful woman on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) and asked her to marry him . She agreed but with one condition: that Shantanu would not ask any questions about her actions . They married and she later gave birth to a son . But she drowned the child . Shantanu could not ask her the reason, because of his promise, lest she would leave him . One by one, seven sons were born to them and were drowned by Ganga . When Ganga was about to drown the eighth son, Shantanu, devastated, could not restrain himself and confronted her . Finally, Ganga explained to King Shantanu about Brahma's curse given to Mahabhisha and her . Then she told him that their eight children were Eight Vasus who were cursed by Vasishtha to be born on earth as mortal humans however when they pacified him, he limited his curse and told them that they would be freed from this curse within a year of their birth as humans . So she released the seven of them from this life by drowning them all . However the Vasu Dyaus was cursed to live a long life and to never have a wife or have children . But the sage also gave a boon to him that he would be virtuous, conversant with all the holy scriptures and will be an obedient son to his father . that she will take him to the heavens to train him properly for the King's throne and status . With these words she disappeared along with the child while Shantanu was struck with grief thinking about spending the rest of his life without her . </P> <P> Shantanu, filled with grief from the loss of his wife and son, began to practise Brahmacharya and ruled his kingdom extremely well . By merely adopting virtuous behaviour, Shantanu was easily able to conquer the entire world without lifting weapons . All the kings declared Shantanu as Emperor and his reign was a peaceful one . Shantanu gave up hunting and gained popularity from his subjects . </P>

Who is 8th child of his parents in mahabharata