 Later King Shantanu , captivated by her fragrance and beauty , fell in love with Satyavati . She married Shantanu on condition that their children inherit the throne , denying the birthright of Shantanu 's eldest son ( and crown prince ) Bhishma . Satyavati bore Shantanu two children , Chitrangada and Vichitravirya . After Shantanu 's death , she and her prince sons with the help of Bhishma ruled the kingdom . Although both her sons died childless , she arranged for her first son Vyasa to father the children of the two widows of Vichitravirya through niyoga . The children ( Dhritarashtra and Pandu ) became fathers of the Kauravas and Pandavas , respectively . After Pandu 's death , Satyavati went to the forest for penance and died there before witnessing the Kurukshetra War . 
