Mahabharata Condensed in the Poet's Own Words /25

ततोऽन्तरिक्षेऽप्सरसो देवास्सर्षिगणास्तदा ।
अभ्यवर्षन्त कुसुमैः भीष्मोऽयमिति चाब्रुवन् ॥
From heaven at that time, the celestial
damsels, the gods and the assemblage of
sages showered flowers and said : "This
man is Bhishma —the terrible one."
 
अधिरोह रथं मातर्गच्छावस्स्वगृहानिति ।
एवमुक्त्वा तु भीष्मस्तां रथमारोप्य मामिनीम् ।
आगम्य हास्तिनपुरं शान्तनोस्सन्न्यवेदयत् ॥
"Mother, ascend the chariot, we shall
proceed to our mansion." Having said
so, Bhishma took her in the chariot,
reached Hastinapura and offered her
to Santanu.
 
स तेन कर्मणा सूनोः प्रीतस्तस्मै वरं ददौ ।
'त्वत्तो ह्यनुज्ञां संप्राप्य मृत्युः प्रभविताऽनघ' ॥
Pleased with that act of his son,
Santanu gave him a boon : Impeccable
soul! only after obtaining your permission
shall Death prevail upon you."