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Mahabharata
Sambhava Parva (X)
The history of Satyavati.
Vaishampayana said:
The king Shantanu, adored of the celestial and the royal sages, was famous in all the worlds as being virtuous-minded and truthful.
Self-control, liberality, forgiveness, intelligence, modesty, patience and superior energy ever dwelt in that best of men, Shantanu.
That king was endued with such accomplishments. He was learned in both Dharma and Artha. He was both the protector of the Bharata race and all the people.
His neck was like the conch shell, his shoulder was broad, he was as powerful as a mad elephant. All the auspicious signs of royalty dwelt in his person and they considered that to be their best abode.
The people, seeing the (virtuous) acts of that king of great achievements, came to know that virtue was ever superior to pleasure and profit.
These accomplishments were all in that best of men, Shantanu and no other king was to equal him in virtue.
All the kings of the earth, seeing him devoted to all kinds of virtues, installed him as the king of kings.
All the kings were free from misery, fear and anxiety of all kinds during the reign of that lord-protector of the Bharata race. They all slept in peace and rose in peace after happy dreams.
All the kings became virtuous and devoted to liberality and religious acts and sacrifices from the great example set by that great king of wonderful achievements (Shantanu) who was like Indra himself.
When the earth was ruled by Shantanu and other kings like him, the religious merits of every order greatly increased.
The Brahmanas were served by the Kshatriyas; the Kshatriyas were served by the Vaishyas; the Sudras, adoring both the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas, served the Vaishyas.
Shantanu lived in Hastinapur, the beautiful capital of the Kurus; he ruled over the whole earth bounded by the sea.
He was truthful and virtuous like the king of the celestial; and from his liberality, virtues and asceticism he acquired great fortune.
He was free from anger and malice, he was as handsome as Soma himself. He was as effulgent as the sun and as courageous as the Vayu. He was like Yama in anger and like Earth in patience.
O king, when Shantanu ruled the earth, no deer, beers, birds or other animals were needlessly killed.
The virtue of kindness reigned in the kingdom of Shantanu, who himself was full of mercy and free from anger. He equally protected all creatures.
The sacrifices in honour of the celestial, Rishis and Pitris were performed but no creature was sinfully deprived of its life.
That king became a father of those that were miserable, of those that had not protectors, nay even of birds and beasts and all creatures.
During the reign of that best of the Kuru kings, the king of all kings, (Shantanu) the speech was mixed with truth and mind was devoted to liberality and virtue.
Having enjoyed the companionship of women thirty six years, he retired into a forest.
Shantanu's son, the Vasu, born of Ganga, named Devavrata, resembled his father in beauty, in conduct, in habits and in learning.
He was expert in all sorts of weapons belonging to heaven and earth. He was greatly strong and vastly energetic; he was a great car-warrior; and he was a great beauty.
Once on a time, he (Shantanu) wounded a beer and pursued it along the banks of the Ganges. The king Shantanu saw that the Bhagirathi (Ganga) had became shallow.
Having seen this, the best of men, Shantanu began to reflect, "Why, does not the best of rivers run as before?"
In searching for its cause, the illustrious king saw a beautiful, strong built and amiable youth. Like Indra himself, who had checked the flow of the river Ganga by his sharp celestial weapons.
The king, seeing this wonderful feat (of the youth), namely the checking of Ganga in her course by arrows, was very much surprised.
Shantanu had seen him only once, a few minutes after his birth; therefore, he had not sufficient recollection to identify that youth with his son.
But the youth, as soon as he saw his father, clouded the king's perception by Maya (delusion) and instantly disappeared before his very sight.
The king Shantanu, being much surprised with what he saw and believing the youth to be his own son, said to Ganga, "Show me the child."
Ganga, assuming a beautiful form, showed him the youth decked in ornaments, holding him by his right hand.
Shantanu could not recognise that beautiful lady, bedecked with ornaments and attired in fine robes, though he had seen her before.
Ganga said :
O king, O best of men, the eighth son whom you formerly begot on me, is this, Know that this excellent child is expert in all the weapons.
O great king, take him now. He has been carefully reared by me. O best of men, taking him with you, go home.
This greatly energetic boy has studied with Vasistha all the Vedas with their Angas. He is skillful in all the weapons, he is a great bowman, he is like Indra himself in battle.
O descendant of the Bharata race, both the celestial and the Asuras look on him with favour. Whatever the Vedas and Shastras are known to Ushanas (Shukra) are all known to this boy.
All the Vedas and Shastras that are known by the son of Angirasa (Brihaspati), adored of the celestial and Asuras, he is master of them all. All the weapons that were known to the powerful and invincible son of Jamadagni (Parashurama) are fully and completely known to your this illustrious and mighty-armed son. O king, this boy is a great bow-man and learned in the treatises on the duties of kings. O hero, take home your this heroic son given by me.
Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus commanded by her (Ganga), Shantanu took his son, as effulgent as the sun and started for his own capital. Having reached the city which was like the City of Indra, the descendant of Puru (Shantanu) considered himself very fortunate and successful in his wishes. He then installed his accomplished and illustrious son as his heir-apparent for the protection of the kingdom of the Kurus. O best of the Bharatas, the illustrious son soon pleased his father and all the members of his family. He pleased all the subjects of his kingdom by his conduct. The greatly powerful king lived happily with his son for four years. Once on a time, he went to a forest on the banks of the river, named Yamuna. When the kin was roaming there, he perceived a sweet scent coming from an unknown direction.
Being desirous of finding out its cause, he wandered about hither and thither; and (at last) he saw a maiden of celestial beauty, belonging to the fishermen class.
Having seen her, he asked that black-eyed maiden, "O timid maiden, who are you? What are you doing here?" She said, "Blessing be upon you! I am the daughter of the chief of the fishermen. By the command of my father I am engaged to row this boat of take people across this river for religious merits." Having seen her endued with celestial beauty, amiableness and fragrance, the king Shantanu desired to possess her. He went to her father and asked him to bestow her upon him.
He desired to know whether he was willing to give her in marriage. The chief of the fishermen replied to the king saying, "As soon as that best of beautiful girls was born it, it was understood by me that she should be bestowed (on some one). But, O king, hear the desire that I have in my heart.
O sinless one, if you desire to makes her your lawful wife, you are truthful, then truly give me a pledge.
O king, if you give me the pledge, I shall then bestow my daughter on you, for I can never obtain a husband for her like you."
Shantanu said :
O fisherman, after hearing what you ask, I can then say whether I will be able to grant it or not. If it is capable of being granted, I shall certainly grant it.
The Hsherman said :
O king, the son that will be born of this girl shall be installed on your throne and none else shall you make your successor.
Vaishampayana said :
O descendant of Bharata race, Shantanu became unwilling to grant the wish of the fisherman, thought his body was being burnt by the fire of desire.
That lord of the earth returned to Hastinapur, thinking of the daughter of the fisherman and his heart afflicted by desire.
One day when he was thus meditating over (the girl) in sorrow, his son Devavrata came to him and said -
"All is prosperity with you; all chiefs and potentates obey you, why then you grieve thus in sorrow?
O king, deep in your own thoughts, you do not speak a word to me in reply. You do not now go out on horse back. You are pale and emaciated and discoloured.
I wish to know the disease from which you suffer, so that I may try to get a remedy." Having been thus addressed by his son, Shantanu replied,
"Truly I am melancholy. Hear why I am so. O descendant of Bharata race, you are the only son in this our great dynasty.
You are always engaged in the sports of arms and achievement of power. O son, I am, however, always thinking of the instability of life.
O son of Ganga, if anything happens to you, we shall be sonless and we shall have no descendants. Truly you alone are equal to one hundred best sons.
I do not, therefore, desire to marry again. I only desire that prosperity may always attend on you, so that our dynasty may be perpetuated.
The religious men say that he who has one son has no son at all. The Agnihotra worship and three classes of study do not yield the one sixteenth part of the religious merits as are derived by the birth of a son. There is hardly any difference in this respect between men and other animals.
I have no doubt that he who has got a son gains heaven. The three Vedas, which are the roots of the Puranas and which are authoritative even to the celestial, contain many proofs of this.
O descendant of the Bharata race, you are a hero of excitable temper; and you are always engaged in the exercises of arms. There is every likelihood of your being killed on the field of battle.
"If it so happens, what would be the state of our race! For this reason I am melancholy. I have now told you the cause of my sorrow!"
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard the cause (of his grief) from the king, the greatly intelligent and wise Devavrata thought for a while.
He then went to the old minister, devoted to his father's welfare. He asked him the cause of his father's sorrow.
O best of the Bharata race, that foremost of the Kurus asked him all about it and he then heard from him about the pledge regarding the maiden.
Thereupon, Devavrata, accompanied with many venerable Kshatriya chiefs, went to the chief of the fishermen and begged his daughter for his father.
The fisherman received him with all due adorations. O descendant of the Bharata race, when the prince was seated, he addressed him thus -
"O best of the Bharata race, you are the lord of great prowess, you are the best of wielders of arms. You are the only son of Shantanu. But I have something to tell you.
If the bride's father be Indra himself, still he is to repent for rejecting such an exceedingly honourable and desirable proposal of marriage.
The great man from whose seed was born this most beautiful maiden Satyavati is equal to you in virtue.
He has many times recounted to me the great achievements of your father. He has told me that, that virtuous king is worthy of marrying Satyavati.
Allow me to tell you that I have formerly rejected the offer of that best of Brahmarshis, the celestial sage Asita, who had often asked Satyavati in marriage. O king, I have only one word to say on behalf of this maiden as her father. The only strong objection in this matter is the fact of a rival in a co-wife's son.
O chastiser of foes, he is not safe, even he be an Asura or a Gandharva, who has a in you. He will never live long if you grow angry.
O king, this is the only objection in the marriage. There is no other. O chastiser of foes, know, this is all I have to say in the matter of bestowal (of Satyavati)"
Vaishampayana said:
O descendant of the Bharata race, having been thus addressed, the son of Ganga (Devavrata) replied to him in the hearing of all the chiefs and potentates for the sake of his father.
O foremost of truthful men, listen to the vow I take today. There is none born or will be born who will have the courage to take such a vow.
I shall do what you demand. The son that will be born of this maiden will be our king.
O best of the Bharata race, having been thus addressed (by Bhishma), the chief of the fishermen, desirous of achieving the difficult matter of making his daughter's son king, thus spoke to him.
The Fisherman said:
"O virtuous-minded man, you have come here as the full manager of your greatly glorious father. But also the sole manager on my behalf in the matter of the bestowal of this girl.
O Gentle Sir, there is something else to be said and something else to be done. O chastiser of foes, those that have daughter must say what I say.
O devotee of the religion of truth, the pledge that you have taken in the midst of these chiefs for the sake of Satyavati is worthy of you.
I have not the least doubt that it will never be violated by you. But I have great doubt in respect of your sons.
Vaishampayana said:
O king, the devotee of religion of truth, (Devavrata), knowing the scruple of the fisherman and being moved by the desire of doing good to his father then said.
O chief of the fishermen, O best of chiefs, hear what I say for the sake of my father before all these chiefs and potentates.
O chiefs and potentates, I relinquished my right to the throne a few moments before. I shall now settle the doubt that has arisen in respect to my sons.
O fisherman, from this day I adopt the vow of Brahmacharya. If I die sonless, still I shall ascend to the rejoins of the everlasting bliss.
Vaishampayana said :
Having heard those words, the hair of the fisherman stood erect in delight and he said, "I bestowed my daughter."
Thereupon the Apsaras, the celestial and the various classes of Rishis, began to pour down flowers from the firmament (upon the head of Devavrata) and they all exclaimed "This man is Bhishma (the terrible.)"
He (Bhishma) them for the sake of his father, addressed the illustrious (lady) thus, "O mother, ascend this chariot and let us go to our home."
Vaishampayana said:
Having said this, Bhishma made the beautiful maiden ascend his car. Then coming to Hastinapur, he told Shantanu all that had happened.
All the assembled chiefs and potentates applauded him jointly and individually for his great act. They exclaimed, "He is (really) Bhishma."
Having heard the great deed performed by his son Bhishma, Shantanu gave that illustrious man the boon of dying at will.
He said, "O my sinless son! death will have no effect untill you wish to live. Death can influence you only after your permission.
Vaishampayana said:
O king, after the conclusion of the marriage, the king Shantanu installed that beautiful lady in his household.
Thereupon, the wise Shantanu begot on his wife Satyavati a very powerful hero, named Chitrangada, the best of men.
The powerful king begot on Satyavati another son, named Vichitravirya, who became a mighty bow-man; and he became king after his father.
Before that best of men, Vichitravirya, had attained the majority, his father succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time.
When Shantanu went to heaven, Bhishma, who was always obedient to Satyavati, installed that chastiser of foes, Chitrangada on the throne.
Chitrangada also defeated all the kings of the world by his prowess. He could not find equal of him among men.
Seeing him defeat men, Asuras and even the celestial, the powerful king of the Gandharvas, who bore the same name with him, came to him foe a fight.
Between that foremost of the Kurus and the powerful Gandharva Chief, a fearful combat took place on the field of Kurukshetra. The combat lasted for three long years on the banks of the Sarasvati. In that fierce encounter, which was covered with showers of weapons, the best of the Kurus was killed, by the Gandharva through his greater prowess or power of Maya (illusion).
Having killed that best of men, the chastiser of foes, Chitrangada, the Gandharva went to heaven.
When that best of men, the greatly powerful prince, was killed, the son of Shantanu performed all his obsequies.
Thereupon, he installed the mighty armed boy Vichitravirya, still in his minority, on the throne of the Kuru kingdom.
Vichitravirya, ever obedient to Bhishma, ruled the kingdom of his father and grand-sires.
He adopted the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, learned in the Shastras of religion and law. He too protected him very virtuously.
Vaishampayana said:
O descendant of the Kuru race, Chitrangada, having been killed and his brother being minor, Bhishma, ever obedient to Satyavati, ruled over the kingdom.
When that best of all intelligent men, Bhishma, saw that his brother Vichitravirya, had attained majority (youth), he thought of marrying him.
O king, he heard that three daughters of the king of Kashi, all equal to the Apsaras in beauty, would be married at a Sayamvara.
Thereupon, that best of car-warriors, that chastiser of foes, that Lord (Bhishma), riding on a single car, went at the command of his mother to the city of Varanasi (Kashi).
There the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, saw that many kings and potentates had come from all directions. He also saw those three maidens.
When the kings were being mentioned by name,
Meanwhile there arrived Bhishma alone who had already became an old man. On seeing him, all the extremely beautiful young girls became agitated thinking him to be an old man. Those kings of mean character gathered together over there started talking among themselves and deriding him thus : He has already became an old person. Wrinkles have spread all over his body. The hair on his head has become white. Despite of these signs how came he has arrived here? He is really shameless and by proving his vow untrue, what will he tell the people here. Truly the fact that Bhishma is a calibrate has been spread in vain all the world over.
Vaishampayana said: O Bharata, hearing the words of those kings Bhishma became angry.
Bhishma, the lord, chose himself those maidens (for his brother).
O king, taking those maidens on his chariot, the best of warriors, Bhishma, spoke to the (assembled) kings in a voice like the thunder of the clouds.
The wise have said that after inviting accomplished man, a maiden may be bestowed on him decked with ornaments and accompanied with valuable presents as much asb lie in the power of the bestower to give. Others may bestow their daughters by accepting a couple of kine. Some again may bestow their daughters by taking a fixed sum and some again take away maidens by force. Some marry with the consent of the maidens and some by dragging them into consent. Some by obtaining their parents' consent, some again obtain wives as presents.
The learned men praise the eighth form of marriage, but the Svaymavara is highly spoken by the kings. But the sages have said that the wife taken by force amidst an assemblage of kings after defeating them is to be highly prized. Therefore, O kings, I carry away these maidens by force. Try with all your strength to defeat me or be defeated.
O kings, I stand here, resolved to fight. Having said this to the kings and the king of Kashi, the greatly powerful. Kuru prince took up those maidens on his car. Having thus taken them on his car and having challenged them (the chiefs) to fight, he sped his chariot away.
Thereupon all the kings stood up in anger; they slapped their arms and bit their mother lips.
Their great hurry in casting off their ornaments and putting on their armours produced a loud uproar.
O Janamejaya, the ornaments and armours resembled like the meteoric flashes in the sky. With their brows contracted and eyes red in anger, they moved in impatience, their ornaments and armours dangling with their agitated steps. The charioteers soon brought handsome cars, yoked with fine horses. Those heroes, armed with all kinds of weapons then got on those cars. They pursued the retreating chief of the Kurus. O descendant of the Bharata race, then occurred that wonderful fight. That hair-stirring battle in which innumerable kings were on one side and only one was on the other.
The kings hurled at their foe ten thousands arrows at the same time. Bhishma, however, stopped their memberless arrows before they could fall upon him by a counter shower of his own arrows as numerous as the down of the body. Thereupon, the kings surrounded him on all sides and rained upon him a shower of arrows like masses of clouds showering on the mountains. He (Bhishma), stopping that shower of arrows by his own, wounded each of the kings with three arrows. O king, the kings wounded Bhishma each with five arrows.
But he stopped the attacking kings each with two arrows. The battle became so fierce with the dense shower of arrows that it looked like the battle between the Devas and the Danavas. And even brave men were struck with fear to look at it. (Bhishma) cut off by his arrows flag staffs, armours and human heads by hundreds and thousands on the field of battle. Such was his prowess and extraordinary lightness of hand, such was the skill with which he protected himself, that the fighting car-warriors, though his enemies, loudly applauded him. That foremost of all experts in arms (Bhishma), having defeated all the kings in battle and having taken the maidens with him, went towards the capital of the Bharatas. O king, then the great car-warrior king, Shalva, challenged from behind the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, to a combat. Desirous of securing the maidens, he came upon Bhishma like a powerful leader of elephants, rushing upon another of its kinds and tearing with its tusk its opponent's thigh at the sight of a female. That mighty armed king Shalva cried in wrath to Bhishma, "Stay, Stay." Then the best of men, Bhishma that destroyer of hostile army, provoked by his words, flamed up in anger like a blazing fire. Bow in hand, his brow borrowed into wrinkles, he stopped his car in obedience to the Kshatriya usage and stayed there in expectation of the enemy.
The great car-warrior stopped his car for Shalva and all the kings, also stood there to see him stop. They wished to see the coming combat between Bhishma and Shalva.
The two (heroes) then began to show their prowess on each other like two roaring bulls of great strength fighting at the sight of a cow.
The best of men, king Shalva, covered the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, with hundreds and thousands of swift-winged arrows.
The kings, seeing that Shalva was covering Bhishma at the very outset of the combat with innumerable arrows, were much astonished and they all cried "Blessed, Blessed."
Seeing him very light-handed in battle, all the kings applauded in delight the king of men, Shalva.
Hearing these shouts of the Kshatriyas, the subjugator of hostile towns, the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, exclaimed, "Stay, Stay."
He (Bhishma) commanded his charioteer in anger, saying, " Lead the car where the king (Shalva) is. I shall instantly kill him as Garuda kills a serpent."
O king, the Kuru prince then attached the Varuna weapon to his bow-string and he wounded with it the four steeds of king Shalva.
O best of Kings, the Kuru prince, warding off with his weapons those of his foe, killed king Shalva's charioteer.
The best of men, the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, for the sake of the maidens, killed the excellent steed (of his adversary) by the Aindra weapon. He then defeated that best of kings, (Shalva), but allowed him to escape with his life. O best of the Bharata race, thereupon, Shalva went away to his own kingdom. Having returned to his capital, he virtuously ruled over his people; and O subjugator of hostile towns, the kings also who came to the Svaymvara returned to their own capitals. After defeating the kings, the best of all wielders of arms, Bhishma, went with the maidens to Hastinapur, where was that king of the Kurus, Vichitravirya, who ruled the World.
Vichitravirya, who ruled the world virtuously like his father the Kuru prince and the best of all monarchs Shantanu. O king, within a very short time, he (Bhishma) passed many forests, rivers, hills and woods with various trees. The son of the ocean-going river (Ganga) of immeasurable prowess in battle, killing numberless men, but having no scar on his own body.
Bhisma brought the daughters of the king of Kashi. As tenderly, as if they were his own daughter-in-law, sisters or daughters. Bringing them as his daughters, he presented them to the Kurus.
That mighty armed hero wishing his brother's welfare brought those greatly accomplished maidens and then offered them to his brother.
Bhishma gave to Vichitravirya the maidens who were brought by his prowess. The virtuous man (Bhishma), having achieved this extraordinary deed according to kingly custom, began to make preparations for his brother's marriage. Having consulted with Satyavati everything about the wedding was settled by Bhishma; but the eldest daughter of the king of Kashi, softly smiling, spoke thus -
"I have chosen in my heart the king of Saubha as my husband. He too has in his heart accepted me as his wife. This is also agreeable to my father.
I would have also chosen Shalva in the Svayamvara as my husband. You are learned in the precepts of virtue. Knowing all this do, what you think proper."
Thus addressed by that maiden before the Brahmanas, the heroic Bhishma began to reflect what should be done.
The greatly virtuous man, after consulting with the Brahmanas, learned in the Vedas, allowed the eldest daughter of the king of Kashi, Amba, to do what she liked.
Bhishma then bestowed (the two princess) Ambika and Ambalika on his younger brother Vichitravirya according to the ordained rites.
After having married them, Vichitravirya, though he was virtuous-minded, became lustful from his prime of youth.
They were both of tall stature; their heads, were covered with black curly hair, their finger nails were red and high; they had beautiful rising breasts and hips.
The beautiful and amiable damsels, endued with every auspicious mark, considered their husband Vichitravirya in every war worthy of them; and they loved and respected him.
He (Vichitravirya) too, endued as he was with the beauty of the Ashvinis and the prowess of the celestial, could steal the hearts of all women.
That king of the world, Vichitravirya, enjoyed with his wives uninterruptedly for seven years and he was then attacked by consumption, though he was still in the prime of youth.
His friends and relatives tried to effect a cure in consultation with the physicians, but (in spite of all their efforts), the Kuru prince went to the abode of Yama like a setting son.
The virtuous-minded son of Ganga (Bhishma) became plunged in anxiety and grief. Bhishma with all the other chief Kurus, in consultation with Satyavati, then caused the obsequies of (the deceased) Vichitravirya to be performed by learned priests.
Vaishampayana said:
The unfortunate and miserable Satyavati, plunged in grief for her son, performed with her daughters-in-law the obsequial rites of her son. The amiable lady then consoled her two daughters-in-law and the foremost of all wielders of arms Bhishma; Then turning her mind on virtue and on the paternal and maternal lines, the illustrious lady thus addressed the son of Ganga. "The funeral cake, the achievements and the perpetuation of the Kuru dynasty and of the line of the illustrious and virtuous Shantanu all depend upon you.
As the attainment of heaven is certain from good deeds, as long life is certain from truth, so virtue is certainly inseparable from you.
O virtuous man, you are well acquainted with the precepts of virtue, both in abstract and in detail. You are learned in the various Shrutis and in all the branches of the Vedas.
I know you are like Indra and Angiras in firmness, in virtuous, in preserving family-customs and in the presence of mind.
Therefore, O best of virtuous men, greatly relying on you, I shall appoint you to do a certain act. Hearing it, you should do it.
O descendant of Bharata race, the wives of your brother, the beautiful daughters of the king of Kashi, both possessing beauty and youth, are desirous of offspring. O best of men, my son and your brother, endued with great prowess and dear to you, has gone to heaven when he was a boy. O mighty-armed hero, therefore, beget at my perpetuation of our dynasty. You should perform this virtuous act.
"Install yourself on the throne of the kingdom and rule the domain of the Bharatas. Marry wife according to the rites. Do not sink your ancestors in hell."
Vaishampayana said:
Thus addressed by his mother, relatives and friends, the chastiser of foes, the virtuous-minded (Bhishma) said the following comfortable to the dictates of virtues.
"O mother, what you say is certainly sanctioned by religion. But you know my vow as regards begetting children. O mother Satyavati, you know also what took place in connection with thy bestowal. I now repeat the pledge I once gave.
I can renounce the three worlds, I can renounce the kingdom of heaven or anything that may be greater than the both, but I can never renounce truth.
Earth may renounce her scent, water may renounce its moisture, light may renounce its attribute of exhibiting forms, the wind may renounce its attribute of being perceivable by the touch.
The sun may renounce its glory, comet its heat, the sky its sound, moon its cool rays.
The slayer of Vitra (Indra) may renounce his prowess and the king of justice his impartiality, but I cannot renounce truth."
Having been thus addressed by her son, endued with great effulgence, mother Satyavati, then replied to Bhishma, "O hero whose strength is truth, I know you are devoted to truth. If you like, you can create another three worlds out of your great energy. I know what was your vow on my account. But taking into your consideration the emergency, bear the burden of duty you own towards your ancestors.
"O chastiser of foes, act in a way so that virtue is not destroyed and so that the thread of our race is not broken and our friends and relatives may not grieve."
Having been thus again and again urged by his miserable and son-bereaved mother (Satyavati), with words inconsistent with virtue, Bhishma said -
"O queen, turn your eyes on virtue. Do not destroy us all. The violation of truth in Kshatriyas is never praised in the scriptures.
O queen, I shall tell you the everlasting usage of the Kshatriyas, to which recourse may be had in order to prevent the line of Shantanu being extinct.
Hearing it, consider what should be done, in consultation with the priests and those wise men who know what practices are allowable in the time of emergency and distress. Forget not the ordinary course of social conduct."
Bhishma said:
The king Haihayas was killed by (Parashu) Rama, the son of Jamadagni, with his battle axe from his anger at the death of his father. Cutting off one thousand arms of Arjuna (Haihayas), he achieved a most difficult feat in the world.
He set out on his car to conquer the world; and taking up his bow, he hurled his mighty weapons to exterminate the Kshatriyas. In olden time the illustrious descendant of the Bhrigu race, exterminated the Kshatriya race for twenty one times with his swift arrows.
When the earth was thus in olden time made Kshatriya-less by that great Rishi, the Kshatriya women raised children by the Brahmanas, learned in the Vedas. They went to the Brahmanas not lustfully, but from virtuous motives. It is said in the Vedas that the son so raised belongs to him that had married the mother.
Having established Dharma in mind those Brahmanas reached there. In this world we have seen rebirth of Kshatriyas.
Thus it was that the Kshatriya race was again brought into existence all over the world. There is an old history in connection with this matter and I shall narrate it to you.
There was in the time of yore, a wise Rishi, named Utathya. He had a wife, name Mamata whom he dearly loved. One day Utathya's younger brother, the priest of the celestial, the greatly effulgent Brihaspati, proposed to Mamata.
Mamata said to her Devara (husband's younger brother), that best of eloquent men, "I am pregnant by your elder brother; therefore you should not seek me now.
O illustrious Brihaspati, the child, who is now in my womb, has studied there the Vedas with six Angas. Your seed is also infallible. How is it possible for two children to live there at the same time? Therefore, you should not desire me today."
Having been thus addressed by her, Brihaspati, though greatly intelligent, could not suppress his desire.
(Slokas 14 to 21 are not translated for obvious reasons.)
From the curse of the Rishi Brihaspati, Utathy's son, as illustrious and as effulgent as Brihaspati, was born blind; and he was named Dirghatamas. The born-blind, Veda-knowing and greatly wise Rishi obtained for his wife by his learning a young and handsome Brahmana maiden, named Pradveshi.
He begot on her Gautama and other sons in order to keep up the illustrious line of Utathya's race. But Gautama and others were all covetous and fools. The virtuous-minded, high souled and learned in the Vedas and Vedangas. (Dirghatamas) learnt from Surabhi’s son the practices of the cow race and he began publicly to commit the vice.
The excellent Rishis, the dwellers of the same hermitage, became indignant to see him transgress all propriety. They said, "This man transgresses all propriety. He deserves not to live in the hermitage. We shall all renounce this sinful wretch."
They said many things else regarding the Rishi Dirghatams. His wife also, having (already) obtained sons, was not pleased with him.
Pradveshi said:
The husband then addressing his wife Pradveshi said, "Why are you dissatisfied with me?" The husband is called Bhatri, because he supports his wife; he is called Pati, because he protects her, but you are neither to me. O great ascetic, as you are blind from your birth, it is I who have supported you and your children. But I shall do it no longer.
Bhishma said:
Having heard her words, the Rishi became angry and he said to his wife Pradveshi and her sons 'Take me to the Kshatriyas (kings) and you will then be rich."
Pradveshi said:
O Brahmana, I do not desire to possess the wealth, earned by you, which would always be the cause of misery. O best of Brahmanas, do what you like; I shall not support you as I did before.
Dirghatamas said:
From this day I make this rule among men that every woman shall stick to one husband only all through her life. Whether the husband is dead, or whether he is alive, she must not have connection with another man. She, who will have it, will be considered as fallen. A woman without a husband will always be liable to be sinful. Even if she is wealthy, she will not be able to enjoy it truly. Calumny and evil report will always follow her.
Bhishma said:
Having heard these words, the Brahmana lady became exceedingly angry and said, "O sons, throw him into the Ganges."
Her avaricious and foolish sons, Gautama and his brothers, exclaimed, "Why should we support this blind old man?" Thus thinking, those wicked men tied him on a raft and threw him into the Ganges. They then returned home.
The Brahmana, drifting along the stream on that raft, passed through the territories of many kings. One day a king, named Bali, learned in all the precepts of religion, saw him (the blind Rishi) drifting along the stream and approaching near him.
O best of the Bharata race, the virtuous-minded Bali, whose strength was truth, knowing who he was, took him up (from the stream) for the purpose of raising up offspring. He said,
"O illustrious man, I have to raise up a few sons on my wife. Therefore, beget on her some virtuous and wise sons."
Thus addressed, the greatly effulgent Rishi said to him, "Be it so." Thereupon, that king sent his wife Sudeshna to him.
That lady, knowing him to be blind and old, did not go to him. She sent to him her old nurse. The virtuous-minded Rishi begot on that Shudra woman eleven sons.
O descendant of the Bharata race, seeing all those sons, Kakshivata being their eldest, who studied all the Vedas, the king one day asked the Rishi, "Are these sons mine?"
The great Rishi said to him, "No, they are mine. I have begotten Kakshivata and others on a Shudra woman.
Your queen, Sudeshna, finding me old and blind, the foolish woman, insulted me (by not coming herself) and sent her nurse to me.
He (the king) then gratified the excellent Rishi and sent his wife, Sudeshna, again to him.
Dhirghatama touched that lady's body and told her, "You will give birth to sons, as effulgent as the sun.
Namely, Anga, Vanga, Kalinga Pundra and Sunga. Five countries will be named on earth after their names.
From Anga a country will be called Anga, from Banga one Banga, from Kalinga one Kalinga, from Pundra one Pundra and from Suhma one Sahma. It was thus the line of Bali was perpetuated by the Rishi.
It was thus that many virtuous, greatly energetic and exceedingly strong bow-men, Kshatriyas, were born from the Brahmanas. Hearing this, O mother, do as you like in this matter.
Bhishma said:
O mother, listen to me, I shall point out the means by which the Bharata dynasty may be perpetuated. Let an accomplished Brahmana be invited with the offer of wealth; let him beget offspring on the wives of Vichitravirya.
Vaishampayana said:
Then Satyavati thus spoke to Bhishma, smiling softly and speaking in bashful voice.
Satyavati said:
O descendant of the Bharata race, what you say is true. From my confidence in you, I shall now point my confidence in you, I shall now point out the means of perpetuating our dynasty.
You shall not be able to reject it, learned as you are in the practices permitted in the time of distress. You are Virtue, you are Truth.
Therefore, hearing what I say, do what is proper. My father was a virtuous man and for virtue's sake he had kept a boat (for crossing people.)
In the prime of my youth, I went one day to ply that boat. It so happened that the great and wise Rishi Parashara, the foremost of all virtuous men, came on my boat for crossing the Yamuna. As I was taking him across the river, that best of Rishis became full of desire and began to address me in soft words.
O descendant of Bharata, I was afraid of my father, but I was also greatly afraid of the Rishi's curse. Therefore, having got from him a great boon, I could not refuse his request.
O descendant of the Bharata race, he overpowered me, a mere girl, by his great effulgence and he also enveloped the region with a thick fog. There was in my body a revolting odour of fish before, but the Rishi dispelled it and gave me my this fragrance.
The Rishi told me, "After bringing forth this child on the island of this river, you will remain a virgin."
The son of Parashara, thus born of me in my maiden-hood, has becomes great ascetic, named Dvaipayana.
That illustrious Rishi, having divided by his ascetic power the Vedas into four parts, has become known on earth as Vyasa and for his black colour as Krishna.
He is truthful, free from passions and a great ascetic who has destroyed all his sins; he went away with his great father as soon as he was born.
Asked by me and also by you, that Rishi of incomparable effulgence will surely beget excellent offspring on the wives of your brother.
He told me, "Mother, think of me (mentally call me) when you will be in difficulty. O mighty-armed Bhishma, if you wish, I can now think of him."
O Bhishma if you are willing and if you appoint him, I am sure that great ascetic will beget children on the wives of Vichitravirya.
Vaishampayana said:
When the great Rishi was the mentioned, Bhishma with joined hands said. 'That man is truly intelligent who fixes his eyes judiciously on Dharma, Artha and Kama and who, after reflecting with patience, acts in such a way as virtue (Dharma) may lead to future virtue, profit (Artha) to future profit and pleasure (Kama) to future pleasure. Therefore, that which has been said by you and that which, besides being beneficial to us is consistent with virtue, is certainly the best advice and it has my full approval."
Vaishampayana said:
O descendant of the Kuru race, when Bhishma said this, Kali (Satyavati) thought of the Rishi Krishna Dvaipayana. Dvaipayana, who was then interpreting the Vedas, came at once to his mother without any body knowing it, as soon as he found that he had been thought of. She (Satyavati), having welcomed her son in all due form, embraced him with her arms and bathed him with her breast milk. The daughter of the fisherman (Satyavati) shed much tears to see her son after a long time.
Having seen her weep, the great Rishi, Vyasa, her eldest son, washed her (face) with cool water; and bowing to his mother, he said -
"O mother, I have come to fulfill your wishes. Therefore, O virtuous lady, command me without delay. I shall accomplish what you desire."
The priest (of the Bharatas) then worshipped the great Rishi in the proper form and the Rishi accepted the offerings of the worship with uttering the usual Mantras.
Being pleased with the due worship with the proper Mantras, he took his seat. His mother, Satyavati, seeing him conformably seated, asked his welfare and made the usual enquiries.
She then said, "O Kavi, (learned man), the sons derive their birth from both the father and the mother. There is no doubt that their proprietors are both the father and the mother. You are my eldest son according to the ordinances. O Brahmarshi, Vichitravirya was my youngest son. As he was the brother of Bhishma by father's side, so you are by the mother's side. This is my opinion, I do not know what is your opinion. This Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, who is devoted to truth, does not, for the sake of truth, wish to beget children or to rule the kingdom.
"Therefore, O sinless one, for the sake of the affection you bear for your brother (Vichitravirya), for the sake of perpetuating the dynasty of Shantanu, for the sake of Bhishma and my request. For the sake of the kindness you bear for all creatures, for the sake of the protection of people and for the sake of the liberality of your heart you should do what I say. Your younger brother has left two young wives, like the daughters of the celestial. They possess beauty and youth and they wish to have sons from the desire of getting virtue. O son, therefore, beget on them sons worthy of our dynasty and for the continuance of our line."
Vyasa said:
O (mother) Satyavati, you know what is virtue, both as regards this world and the next. O lady of great wisdom, your mind is also fixed on virtue. Therefore, making virtue my motive, I shall, at your command, do what you desire, knowing (as I do) that this practice is conformable to the true and eternal religion. I shall produce for my brother sons that will be like Yama and Varuna.
Therefore, let the ladies observe the vow I indicate for one full year. They will be then purified. No woman must come to me without having observed a rigid vow.
Satyavati said:
Take such steps as the ladies may conceive today. The people perish in a kingdom where there is anarchy. Sacrifices and other holy acts are destroyed, the rains and the celestial disappear from that place.
O Lord, how can a kingdom be protected without a king? Therefore, see that the ladies conceive. Bhishma will watch over the children in their womb.
Vyasa said:
If I am to produce sons for my brother so unseasonably then let the ladies tolerate my ugliness. That will be to them a great penance.
If the princess of Kosalya (Ambika) can bear my strong odour, my ugly and grim visage, my attire and body, she will then conceive an excellent son.
Vaishampayana said:
Having thus spoken to Satyavati, the greatly effulgent Vyasa said to her, "Let the princess of Kosalya adorned with ornaments wait for me in her bed room in clear attire, (so saying) he (immediately) disappeared.
Satyavati then went to her daughter-in-law and in private, spoke to her these words of beneficial and virtuous import, "O princess of Kosalya, hear what I say. It is consistent with virtue.
On account of my bad fate, the Bharata dynasty has become extinct. Seeing me grieved and the extinction of his paternal line. The wise Bhishma, with the desire of perpetuating our race has made to me a suggestion. But, O daughter, its accomplishment depends on you. Accomplish it and restore the lost line of the Bharatas. O beautiful girl, bring forth a son as effulgent as the king of the celestial. He will bear the heavy burden of our this hereditary kingdom.
She (Satyavati,) having succeeded somehow in getting the consent of that virtuous lady to her proposal which was consistent to religion, fed Brahmanas, Devarshis and guests.
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