King Shantanu and Satyavati had two sons–Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Chitrangada ascended the throne after Shantanu’s death. Unfortunately, Chitrangada was killed in a battle with a Gandharva king by the same name. Vichitravirya ascended the throne but, tragically, he too died very young. The Kuru dynasty had no heirs and was in danger of dying. Bhishma and Satyavati did everything they could in their power to make sure the dynasty survived and prospered.
