A King of चन्द्रवंश (Lunar dynasty). He was the father of King शन्तनु . There is a story behind the birth of the son शन्तनु to प्रतीप .

One day this राजर्षि was worshipping the Sun-god in the waters of the river गङ्गा , when a beautiful maiden rose from the waters and sat on the right thigh of the royal ascetic. The King was embarrassed and he told her thus:--"Oh sweet girl, who are you? Do you realise what an unrighteous deed you have done? Why did you thus climb on my thigh without seeking my permission? The right thigh is for the daughter and the wife of the son. Since you have thus sat on my right thigh, you shall be the wife of my son when one is born to me."

Hearing this the maiden jumped out from the thigh of the King and left the place and the King went to his palace. After some time प्रतीप got a son named शन्तनु . शन्तनु was none other than emperor महाभिषक् who was forced to be born on earth due to a curse of ब्रह्मा . When शन्तनु came of age प्रतीप decided to spend the rest of his life in forests and calling his son to his side gave him all advice and added "Son, perhaps a maiden may come to you and if she comes accept her as your wife. Do not ask her about her identity. By making her your truthful wife you will acquire a great many benefits."

प्रतीप , thereafter, entrusted the kingdom to his son and after performing severe penance in the forests attained divyaloka. (2nd Skandha, Devī Bhāgavata) .