Section CV

"Bhishma, continued,

'Listen, O mother, to me as I indicate the means by which the Bharata line may be perpetuated. Let an accomplished Brahmana be invited by an offer of wealth, and let him raise offspring upon the wives of Vicitravirya.'

"Vaisampayana continued, ’satyavati, then, smiling softly and in voice broken in bashfulness, addressed Bhishma saying,

'O Bharata of mighty arms, what you sayest is true. From my confidence in you I shall now indicate the means of perpetuating our line. You shall not be able to reject it, being conversant, as you are, with the practices permitted in seasons of distress.

In our race, you are Virtue, and you are Truth, and you are, too, our sole refuge. Therefore hearing what I say truly, do what may be proper.

"My father was a virtuous man. For virtue’s sake he had kept a (ferry) boat. One day, in the prime of my youth, I went to ply that boat. It so happened that the great and wise Rishi Parasara, that foremost of all virtuous men, came, and betook himself to my boat for crossing the Yamuna.

As I was rowing him across the river, the Rishi became excited with desire and began to address me in soft words. The fear of my father was uppermost in my mind. But the terror of the Rishi’s curse at last prevailed. And having obtained from him a precious boon, I could not refuse his solicitations.

The Rishi by his energy brought me under his complete control, and gratified his desire then and there, having first enveloped the region in a thick fog. Before this there was a revolting fishy odour in my body; but the Rishi dispelled it and gave me my present fragrance.

The Rishi also told me that by bringing forth his child in an island of the river, I would still continue (to be) a virgin. And the child of Parasara so born of me in my maidenhood has become a great Rishi endued with large ascetic powers and known by the name of Dvaipayana (the island-born).

That illustrious Rishi having by his ascetic power divided the Vedas into four parts has come to be called on earth by the name of Vyasa (the divider or arranger), and for his dark colour, Krishna (the dark). Truthful in speech, free from passion, a mighty ascetic who has burnt all his sins, he went away with his father immediately after his birth. Appointed by me and you also, that Rishi of incomparable splendour will certainly beget good children upon the wives of your brother.

He told me when he went away,

'Mother, think of me when you are in difficulty.'

I will now call him up, if you, O Bhishma of mighty arms so desirest. If you are willing, O Bhishma, I am sure that great ascetic will beget children upon Vicitravirya’s field.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Mention being made of the great Rishi, Bhishma with joined palms said,

'That man is truly intelligent who fixes his eyes judiciously on virtue, profit, and pleasure, and who after reflecting with patience, acts in such a way that virtue may lead to future virtue, profit to future profit and pleasure to future pleasure.

Therefore, that which has been said by you and which, besides being beneficial to us, is consistent with virtue, is certainly the best advice and has my full approval.'

And when Bhishma had said this, O you of Kuru’s race, Kali (Satyavati) thought of the Muni Dvaipayana and Dvaipayana who was then engaged in interpreting the Vedas, learning that he was being called up by his mother, came instantly unto her without anybody’s knowing it.

Satayavati then duly greeted her son and embraced him with arms, bathing him in her tears, for the daughter of the fisherman wept bitterly at the sight of her son after so long a time. And her first son, the great Vyasa, beholding her weeping, washed her with cool water, and bowing unto her, said,

'I have come, O mother, to fulfil your wishes. Therefore, O virtuous one, command me without delay. I shall accomplish your desire.'

The family priest of the Bharatas then worshipped the great Rishi duly, and the latter accepted the offerings of worship, uttering the usual mantras. And gratified with the worship he received, he took his seat. Satyavati, beholding him seated at his ease, after the usual inquiries, addressed him and said,

'O learned one, sons derive their birth both from the father and the mother. They are, therefore, the common property of both parents. There cannot be the least doubt about it that the mother, has as much power over them as the father. As you are, indeed, my eldest son according to the ordinance, O Brahmarshi, so is Vicitravirya my youngest son.

And as Bhishma is Vicitravirya’s brother on the father’s side, so art you his brother on the same mother’s side. I do not know what you may think, but this is what, O son, I think. This Bhishma, the son of Santanu, devoted to truth, does not, for the sake, of truth, entertain the desire of either begetting children or ruling the kingdom.

Therefore, from affection for your brother Vicitravirya, for the perpetuation of our dynasty, for the sake of this Bhishma’s request and my command, for kindness to all creatures, for the protection of the people and from the liberality of your heart, O sinless one, it behoves you to do what I say.

Your younger brother has left two widows like unto the daughters of the celestials themselves, endued with youth and great beauty. For the sake of virtue and religion, they have become desirous of offspring. You are the fittest person to be appointed.

Therefore beget upon them children worthy of our race and for the continuance of our line.'

"Vyasa, hearing this, said,

'O Satyavati, you knowest what virtue is both in respect of this life and the other. O you of great wisdom, your affections also are set on virtue.

Therefore, at your command, making virtue my motive, I shall do what you desirest. Indeed, this practice that is conformable to the true and eternal religion is known to me, I shall give unto my brother children that shall be like unto Mitra and Varuna.

Let the ladies then duly observe for one full year the vow I indicate. They shall then be purified. No women shall ever approach me without having observed a rigid vow.'

"Satyavati then said,

'O sinless one, it must be as you sayest. Take such steps that the ladies may conceive immediately. In a kingdom where there is no king, the people perish from want of protection; sacrifices and other holy acts are suspended; the clouds send no showers; and the gods disappear. How can a kingdom be protected that has no king? Therefore, see you that the ladies conceive. Bhishma will watch over the children as long as they are in their mother’s wombs.'

"Vyasa replied,

'If I am to give unto my brother children so unseasonably, then let the ladies bear my ugliness. That in itself shall, in their case, be the austerest of penances. If the princess of Kosala can bear my strong odour, my ugly and grim visage, my attire and body, she shall then conceive an excellent child.'"

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having spoken thus unto Satyavati, Vyasa of great energy addressed her and said,

'Let the princess of Kosala clad in clean attire and checked with ornaments wait for me in her bed-chamber.'

Saying this, the Rishi disappeared, Satyavati then went to her daughter-in-law and seeing her in private spoke to her these words of beneficial and virtuous import,

'O princess of Kosala, listen to what I say. It is consistent with virtue. The dynasty of the Bharatas has become extinct from my misfortune. Beholding my affliction and the extinction of his paternal line, the wise Bhishma, impelled also by the desire of perpetuating our race, has made me a suggestion, which suggestion, however, for its accomplishment is dependent on you.

Accomplish it, O daughter, and restore the lost line of the Bharatas. O you of fair hips, bring you forth a child equal in splendour unto the chief of the celestials. He shall bear the onerous burden of this our hereditary kingdom.'

"Satyavati having succeeded with great difficulty in procuring the assent of her virtuous daughter-in-law to her proposal which was not inconsistent with virtue, then fed Brahmanas and Rishis and numberless guests who arrived on die occasion.'"