When Dasharaja heard this firm oath he was filled with wonder and joy. But he still had his fears. He said, "you are a great man. You will keep your oath. But your son will fight with my daughter's son for the throne. What will happen then?"

Devavrata burst into laughter. He set Dasharaja's mind at rest. "For the sake of my father I have vowed to give up the throne. Now, for my mother - and she, too, is like God to me - I take another oath. Listen to my oath, Mother Earth and the Sun and the Moon are my witnesses; I swear in the name of my parents - I shall never marry. All women are my mothers. This is my firm vow."

Dasharaja gladly agreed t daughter's marriage with the king.

King Shantanu was amazed when he heard about his son's vows. He was full of praise for him. He admired his great sacrifice and said, "My son, what vows you have taken! It is a 'Bhishma Pratijna' - a vow of matchless firmness. May you be known as Bhishma hereafter!" And he granted him a boon: "May death come to you only when you wish so! Death will wait upon your wishes."