Chapter 8: Satyavatī summons Vyāsa to preserve the Kuru line; Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Pāṇḍu and Vidura are born.

Grieving Satyavatī invokes emergency dharma to preserve the lineage and asks Bhīṣma to beget heirs; Bhīṣma reminds her of his vow.

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_014_1] (Bharata)

Then, O Bharata, the distressed and pitiable Satyavati, longing for offspring, performed the rites for her son together with her two daughters-in-law… (BORI: 1-097-1)

[PV-KDV:01_014_2] (Bharata)

Mindful of dharma and of both the paternal and maternal lineages, the noble, high-minded woman spoke these words to the son of Gaṅgā: (BORI: 1-097-2)

[PV-KDV:01_014_3] (Bharata)

My son—your brother, valiant and very dear to you—went to heaven while still young and childless, O bull among men. (BORI: 1-097-8)

[PV-KDV:01_014_9] (Bharata)

Here are your brother’s two queens, the fair daughters of the king of Kashi, endowed with beauty and youth and longing for sons, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-097-9)

[PV-KDV:01_014_10] (Bharata)

Beget children by these two women to continue our lineage. At my command, illustrious one, you should perform this duty here. (BORI: 1-097-10)

[PV-KDV:01_014_11] (Bharata)

Have yourself consecrated as king, rule the Bharatas, and take wives in accordance with dharma. Do not let your forefathers sink. (BORI: 1-097-11)

[PV-KDV:01_014_12] (Bharata)

Thus addressed by his mother and his friends, that righteous scorcher of foes replied with these words, wholly in keeping with dharma: (BORI: 1-097-12)

[PV-KDV:01_014_13] (Bharata)

Without doubt, Mother, you have set forth the highest duty. But you also know well my solemn vow concerning offspring. (BORI: 1-097-13)

[PV-KDV:01_014_14] (Bharata)

Thus addressed by her son, who possessed immense wealth and prowess, his mother Satyavatī then spoke to Bhīṣma. (BORI: 1-097-19)

[PV-KDV:01_014_20] (Bharata)

I know your supreme steadfastness in truth, O you of unfailing prowess. If you wished, you could create three other worlds by your own power. (BORI: 1-097-20)

[PV-KDV:01_014_21] (Bharata)

I also know that what you said for my sake is true. Consider the law that applies in times of distress, and bear the ancestral burden. (BORI: 1-097-21)

[PV-KDV:01_014_22] (Bharata)

Act, O scorcher of foes, so that your family line and your duty may not fail, and your friends may rejoice. (BORI: 1-097-22)

[PV-KDV:01_014_23] (Bharata)

Bhīṣma rejects Satyavatī’s proposal and suggests another means to continue the lineage.

As she lamented thus—wretched, craving a son, and speaking contrary to dharma—Bhishma said this to her once more: (BORI: 1-097-23)

[PV-KDV:01_014_24] (Bharata)

Queen, consider the laws of righteousness. Do not bring destruction upon us all. A Kshatriya’s departure from truth is not commended among the ways of righteousness. (BORI: 1-097-24)

[PV-KDV:01_014_25] (Bharata)

O queen, I shall tell you the eternal duty of the warrior order, so that Shantanu’s line too may remain unbroken on earth. (BORI: 1-097-25)

[PV-KDV:01_014_26] (Bharata)

Bhishma said:

[PV-KDV:01_014_94] (Bharata)

Let some virtuous Brahmin be invited with wealth, one who might beget offspring upon Vichitravirya’s wives. (BORI: 1-099-2)

[PV-KDV:01_014_96] (Bharata)

Satyavatī reveals Vyāsa’s birth and proposes summoning him to continue the lineage.

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_014_97] (Bharata)

Then Satyavati, her voice faltering, spoke these words to Bhishma with a bashful, almost playful smile: (BORI: 1-099-3)

[PV-KDV:01_014_98] (Bharata)

What you say is true, mighty-armed Bharata. Because I trust you, and for the continuation of the family, I shall tell you. I cannot keep it from you, for this crisis is of such a kind. (BORI: 1-099-4)

[PV-KDV:01_014_99] (Bharata)

You alone are righteousness in our family; you are truth and our highest refuge. Therefore, hear my words and then do what must be done. (BORI: 1-099-5)

[PV-KDV:01_014_100] (Bharata)

O righteous one, my father, who was devoted to dharma, had a ferryboat. Once, in my early youth, I went there. (BORI: 1-099-6)

[PV-KDV:01_014_101] (Bharata)

Then the wise Parashara, the great seer and foremost of those who uphold dharma, came to the boat, intending to cross the river Yamuna. (BORI: 1-099-7)

[PV-KDV:01_014_102] (Bharata)

As he was being ferried across the Yamuna, that foremost sage, tormented by desire, approached me and spoke at length in sweet, conciliatory words. (BORI: 1-099-8)

[PV-KDV:01_014_103] (Bharata)

Fearing both his curse and my father, O Bharata, and having been promised boons difficult to obtain, I did not dare refuse him. (BORI: 1-099-9)

[PV-KDV:01_014_104] (Bharata)

Overpowering me, a mere girl, with his potency, he brought me under his control, O Bharata, enveloping the world in darkness while I was still in the boat. (BORI: 1-099-10)

[PV-KDV:01_014_105] (Bharata)

Formerly I had a strong, repulsive smell of fish; that sage removed it and gave me this pleasant fragrance. (BORI: 1-099-11)

[PV-KDV:01_014_106] (Bharata)

Then the sage said to me, “After giving birth to my child on an island in this very river, you will again be a virgin.” (BORI: 1-099-12)

[PV-KDV:01_014_107] (Bharata)

That great yogi, the son of Parāśara, became a great seer. Born to me while I was still a maiden, he was formerly known as Dvaipāyana. (BORI: 1-099-13)

[PV-KDV:01_014_108] (Bharata)

That venerable sage, having through austerity divided the Vedas into four, came to be called Vyasa in the world, and Krishna because of his dark complexion. (BORI: 1-099-14)

[PV-KDV:01_014_109] (Bharata)

Truthful, devoted to self-restraint, ascetic, and cleansed of sin, he will surely, when appointed by me and by you, O Bhishma of immeasurable splendor, beget worthy offspring on your brother’s wives. (BORI: 1-099-15)

[PV-KDV:01_014_110] (Bharata)

For he told me then, “Remember me when there is something to be done.” I shall remember him, mighty-armed Bhishma, if you so desire. (BORI: 1-099-16)

[PV-KDV:01_014_111] (Bharata)

For with your consent, Bhishma, that great ascetic will surely beget sons upon the wives of Vichitravirya. (BORI: 1-099-17)

[PV-KDV:01_014_112] (Bharata)

Bhīṣma approves Satyavatī’s proposal; Vyāsa is summoned to father heirs on Vicitravīrya’s widows.

At the mention of that great seer, Bhishma joined his palms and said, “Whoever considers these three—dharma, material gain, and pleasure—…” (BORI: 1-099-18)

[PV-KDV:01_014_113] (Bharata)

A wise man is one who, after carefully considering wealth and its consequences, righteousness and its consequences, pleasure and its consequences, and their respective opposites, reaches a sound decision. (BORI: 1-099-19)

[PV-KDV:01_014_114] (Bharata)

What you have said is in accord with dharma and beneficial to our family; it is the highest good and pleases me. (BORI: 1-099-20)

[PV-KDV:01_014_115] (Bharata)

Then, when Bhishma had made this promise, O descendant of Kuru, Kali thought of the sage Krishna Dvaipayana. (BORI: 1-099-21)

[PV-KDV:01_014_116] (Bharata)

That wise man, while expounding the Vedas, perceived his mother’s thought and appeared there unannounced within a moment, O descendant of Kuru. (BORI: 1-099-22)

[PV-KDV:01_014_117] (Bharata)

She then duly honored her son, embraced him in her arms, and bathed him with the milk flowing from her breasts. Seeing her son again after so long, the fisherman's daughter shed tears. (BORI: 1-099-23)

[PV-KDV:01_014_118] (Bharata)

The great seer Vyasa, her firstborn son, sprinkled the distressed woman with water, saluted his mother, and said: (BORI: 1-099-24)

[PV-KDV:01_014_119] (Bharata)

I have come to do what you desire. Command me, O knower of the essence of dharma, and I shall do what pleases you. (BORI: 1-099-25)

[PV-KDV:01_014_120] (Bharata)

Then the priest paid homage to that great seer, and he accepted it in due form, with the prescribed mantras. (BORI: 1-099-26)

[PV-KDV:01_014_121] (Bharata)

After asking him, once he was seated, about his continued well-being, his mother Satyavati looked at him and then said: (BORI: 1-099-27)

[PV-KDV:01_014_122] (Bharata)

Sons are born jointly to their mother and father, O sage. Just as their father has authority over them, so does their mother—of this there is no doubt. (BORI: 1-099-28)

[PV-KDV:01_014_123] (Bharata)

Just as you, ordained by the Creator, are my first son, so Vichitravirya, O Brahmarshi, is my younger son. (BORI: 1-099-29)

[PV-KDV:01_014_124] (Bharata)

Just as Bhishma is Vichitravirya’s brother on his father’s side, so are you his brother on his mother’s side—or consider it as you will, my son. (BORI: 1-099-30)

[PV-KDV:01_014_125] (Bharata)

This son of Shantanu, true in valor and steadfastly upholding his word, will not set his mind on having children or on governing the kingdom. (BORI: 1-099-31)

[PV-KDV:01_014_126] (Bharata)

Therefore, sinless one, out of regard for your brother and for the continuation of the family, at this Bhishma’s word and at my command... (BORI: 1-099-32)

[PV-KDV:01_014_127] (Bharata)

Out of compassion for all beings, for the protection of them all, and out of kindness, you ought to hear what I tell you and carry it out. (BORI: 1-099-33)

[PV-KDV:01_014_128] (Bharata)

your younger brother’s two wives, who resemble daughters of the gods, are endowed with beauty and youth, and rightfully desire sons… (BORI: 1-099-34)

[PV-KDV:01_014_129] (Bharata)

Beget offspring by both of them, my son, for you are capable—offspring worthy of this family and of its continuation and propagation. (BORI: 1-099-35)

[PV-KDV:01_014_130] (Bharata)

Vyāsa agrees to beget heirs immediately, provided Ambikā can endure his ascetic appearance.

Vyasa said:

[PV-KDV:01_014_131] (Bharata)

You know, Satyavati, both higher and lower dharma, and, O knower of dharma, how your mind is fixed on dharma. (BORI: 1-099-36)

[PV-KDV:01_014_132] (Bharata)

Therefore, at your command and for the sake of dharma, I will do as you desire, for this is an ancient, established practice. (BORI: 1-099-37)

[PV-KDV:01_014_133] (Bharata)

I shall provide my brother with sons equal to Mitra and Varuna. Let those two queens observe the vow I have prescribed here… (BORI: 1-099-38)

[PV-KDV:01_014_134] (Bharata)

for one year, in accordance with the prescribed rule; then they will be purified. For no woman who has not undertaken the vow should approach me. (BORI: 1-099-39)

[PV-KDV:01_014_135] (Bharata)

Satyavatī said:

[PV-KDV:01_014_136] (Bharata)

Make it so that the queen conceives at once. In realms without a king, there is neither rain nor the presence of the gods. (BORI: 1-099-40)

[PV-KDV:01_014_137] (Bharata)

How can a kingdom without a king be sustained, lord? Therefore, beget a child; Bhishma will raise him. (BORI: 1-099-41)

[PV-KDV:01_014_138] (Bharata)

Vyasa said:

[PV-KDV:01_014_139] (Bharata)

If I must provide a son at once, without waiting for the proper time, let her endure my ugliness; that will be her highest vow. (BORI: 1-099-42)

[PV-KDV:01_014_140] (Bharata)

If she can endure my smell, appearance, attire, and body, then let Kausalyā conceive an extraordinary child this very day. (BORI: 1-099-43)

[PV-KDV:01_014_141] (Bharata)

Satyavatī explains the succession crisis to Ambikā and prepares her to conceive an heir with Vicitravīrya’s brother.

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_014_142] (Bharata)

Thus the sage, desiring the union, vanished. Then the queen approached her daughter-in-law in private and spoke to her words that accorded with dharma, served their purpose, and were for her good. (BORI: 1-099-44)

[PV-KDV:01_014_143] (Bharata)

Kausalya, heed what I tell you concerning dharma. The extinction of the Bharatas is clearly due to the waning of my good fortune. (BORI: 1-099-45)

[PV-KDV:01_014_144] (Bharata)

Seeing me distressed and the ancestral line in dire straits, Bhishma gave me this counsel in the matter, for the furtherance of dharma. (BORI: 1-099-46)

[PV-KDV:01_014_145] (Bharata)

I know, daughter, that this plan rests with you. Restore the fallen Bharata line once more. (BORI: 1-099-47)

[PV-KDV:01_014_146] (Bharata)

Bear a son, fair-hipped one, whose splendor equals that of the king of the gods; for he will bear the heavy burden of governing our lineage. (BORI: 1-099-48)

[PV-KDV:01_014_147] (Bharata)

Having somehow persuaded that virtuous woman on grounds of duty, she fed Brahmins, divine seers, and guests. (BORI: 1-099-49)

[PV-KDV:01_014_148] (Bharata)

Vyāsa begets the blind Dhṛtarāṣṭra on Ambikā, who is unable to bear the sight of his ascetic form.

Vaiśampāyana said:

[PV-KDV:01_014_179] (Bharata)

Then, at the proper time, as Satyavati settled her daughter-in-law—who had bathed after her menstrual period—upon the bed, she spoke softly: (BORI: 1-100-1)

[PV-KDV:01_014_180] (Bharata)

Kausalyā, you have a brother-in-law. He will come to you today. Remain vigilant and wait for him; he will arrive at midnight. (BORI: 1-100-2)

[PV-KDV:01_014_181] (Bharata)

Having heard her mother-in-law’s words, she lay upon a splendid bed and then thought of Bhishma and the other foremost Kurus. (BORI: 1-100-3)

[PV-KDV:01_014_182] (Bharata)

Then the truth-speaking sage, first appointed to Ambikā, entered her bedchamber while the lamps were burning. (BORI: 1-100-4)

[PV-KDV:01_014_183] (Bharata)

Seeing the tawny matted locks, blazing eyes, and brown beard of that dark-skinned man, the queen closed her eyes. (BORI: 1-100-5)

[PV-KDV:01_014_184] (Bharata)

That night he lay with her, wishing to please his mother; but the daughter of Kāśī was too frightened to look at him. (BORI: 1-100-6)

[PV-KDV:01_014_185] (Bharata)

Then his mother approached her son as he came out and said, “My son, will a virtuous prince be born to her?” (BORI: 1-100-7)

[PV-KDV:01_014_186] (Bharata)

Hearing his mother’s words, Vyasa, supremely wise and possessed of knowledge beyond the senses, spoke, impelled by destiny: (BORI: 1-100-8)

[PV-KDV:01_014_187] (Bharata)

The foremost of royal sages, greatly blessed, immensely valiant, and highly intelligent. (BORI: 1-100-9B)

[PV-KDV:01_014_189] (Bharata)

but because of a defect in his mother, he himself will be blind. (BORI: 1-100-10B)

[PV-KDV:01_014_191] (Bharata)

Vyāsa begets the pale Pāṇḍu on Ambālikā, who turns pale at the sight of his ascetic form.

Hearing those words of his, the mother then said to her son, “A blind man is not fit to be king of the Kurus, O ascetic.” (BORI: 1-100-11)

[PV-KDV:01_014_192] (Bharata)

You should give us a second king for the Kuru dynasty, a protector of the family line who will perpetuate the lineage of his ancestors. (BORI: 1-100-12)

[PV-KDV:01_014_193] (Bharata)

The great ascetic promised, “So be it,” and departed. In due course, Kausalya gave birth to that blind son. (BORI: 1-100-13)

[PV-KDV:01_014_194] (Bharata)

Then, after reproaching her daughter-in-law, the truthful and blameless queen once again summoned the sage as before. (BORI: 1-100-14)

[PV-KDV:01_014_195] (Bharata)

Then, following the same procedure, the great sage went to her and approached Ambalika. When she saw him, she too became dejected and pale, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-100-15)

[PV-KDV:01_014_196] (Bharata)

Seeing her frightened, pale, and distressed, O king, Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, spoke these words: (BORI: 1-100-16)

[PV-KDV:01_014_197] (Bharata)

Because you turned pale when you saw my misshapen appearance, this son of yours will therefore be pale. (BORI: 1-100-17)

[PV-KDV:01_014_198] (Bharata)

“And here his name shall be that very same, fair-faced one.” Having said this, the venerable sage, best of seers, departed. (BORI: 1-100-18)

[PV-KDV:01_014_199] (Bharata)

Ambikā substitutes a maid; Vyāsa begets the wise and righteous Vidura.

His mother again asked him for another son, and the great seer replied to his mother, “So be it.” (BORI: 1-100-20)

[PV-KDV:01_014_201] (Bharata)

Then, when her fertile time came, she appointed the elder daughter-in-law to him. But, recalling that great sage’s appearance and smell, the woman, who was like a daughter of the gods, was too afraid to obey the queen’s command. (BORI: 1-100-22)

[PV-KDV:01_014_203] (Bharata)

Then the daughter of the king of Kashi adorned a maidservant with her own ornaments, making her look like an Apsaras, and sent her to Krishna. (BORI: 1-100-23)

[PV-KDV:01_014_204] (Bharata)

The maid went out to meet the sage when he arrived and saluted him. With his permission, she lay with him and attended him with due honor. (BORI: 1-100-24)

[PV-KDV:01_014_205] (Bharata)

The sage found satisfaction in making love to her, and the great seer spent the night with her as she delighted him. (BORI: 1-100-25)

[PV-KDV:01_014_206] (Bharata)

As he rose, he said to her, “You will no longer be a slave. And, fair one, the glorious child who has entered your womb will be righteous and foremost among all the wise in the world.” (BORI: 1-100-26)

[PV-KDV:01_014_207] (Bharata)

Having thus fulfilled his duty, he met his mother again, informed her of the pregnancy, and vanished on the spot. (BORI: 1-100-29)

[PV-KDV:01_014_210] (Bharata)

Thus, in Vichitravirya’s widows, through Dvaipayana, were born sons who shone like the offspring of gods and increased the Kuru lineage. (BORI: 1-100-30)

[PV-KDV:01_014_211] (Bharata)