Chapter 8: Satyavatī summons Vyāsa to preserve the Kuru line; Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Pāṇḍu and Vidura are born.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_014_1] (Jaya)
ततः सत्यवती दीना कृपणा पुत्रगृद्धिनी । पुत्रस्य कृत्वा कार्याणि स्नुषाभ्यां सह भारत ॥BORI: १-०९७-१॥
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] (Jaya)
धर्मं च पितृवंशं च मातृवंशं च मानिनी । प्रसमीक्ष्य महाभागा गाङ्गेयं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥BORI: १-०९७-२॥
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] (Jaya)
मम पुत्रस्तव भ्राता वीर्यवान्सुप्रियश्च ते । बाल एव गतः स्वर्गमपुत्रः पुरुषर्षभ ॥BORI: १-०९७-८॥
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] (Jaya)
इमे महिष्यौ भ्रातुस्ते काशिराजसुते शुभे । रूपयौवनसम्पन्ने पुत्रकामे च भारत ॥BORI: १-०९७-९॥
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] (Jaya)
तयोरुत्पादयापत्यं सन्तानाय कुलस्य नः । मन्नियोगान्महाभाग धर्मं कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥BORI: १-०९७-१०॥
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] (Jaya)
राज्ये चैवाभिषिच्यस्व भारताननुशाधि च । दारांश्च कुरु धर्मेण मा निमज्जीः पितामहान् ॥BORI: १-०९७-११॥
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] (Jaya)
तथोच्यमानो मात्रा च सुहृद्भिश्च परन्तपः । प्रत्युवाच स धर्मात्मा धर्म्यमेवोत्तरं वचः ॥BORI: १-०९७-१२॥
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] (Jaya)
असंशयं परो धर्मस्त्वया मातरुदाहृतः । त्वमपत्यं प्रति च मे प्रतिज्ञां वेत्थ वै पराम् ॥BORI: १-०९७-१३॥
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] (Jaya)
एवमुक्ता तु पुत्रेण भूरिद्रविणतेजसा । माता सत्यवती भीष्ममुवाच तदनन्तरम् ॥BORI: १-०९७-१९॥
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] (Jaya)
जानामि ते स्थितिं सत्ये परां सत्यपराक्रम । इच्छन्सृजेथास्त्रीँल्लोकानन्यांस्त्वं स्वेन तेजसा ॥BORI: १-०९७-२०॥
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] (Jaya)
जानामि चैव सत्यं तन्मदर्थं यदभाषथाः । आपद्धर्ममवेक्षस्व वह पैतामहीं धुरम् ॥BORI: १-०९७-२१॥
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] (Jaya)
यथा ते कुलतन्तुश्च धर्मश्च न पराभवेत् । सुहृदश्च प्रहृष्येरंस्तथा कुरु परन्तप ॥BORI: १-०९७-२२॥
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] (Jaya)
लालप्यमानां तामेवं कृपणां पुत्रगृद्धिनीम् । धर्मादपेतं ब्रुवतीं भीष्मो भूयोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥BORI: १-०९७-२३॥
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] (Jaya)
राज्ञि धर्मानवेक्षस्व मा नः सर्वान् व्यनीनशः । सत्याच्च्युतिः क्षत्रियस्य न धर्मेषु प्रशस्यते ॥BORI: १-०९७-२४॥
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] (Jaya)
शन्तनोरपि सन्तानं यथा स्यादक्षयं भुवि । तत्ते धर्मं प्रवक्ष्यामि क्षात्रं राज्ञि सनातनम् ॥BORI: १-०९७-२५॥
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] (Jaya)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said:
[PV-KDV:01_014_94] (Jaya)
ब्राह्मणो गुणवान्कश्चिद्धनेनोपनिमन्त्र्यताम् । विचित्रवीर्यक्षेत्रेषु यः समुत्पादयेत्प्रजाः ॥BORI: १-०९९-२॥
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] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_014_97] (Jaya)
ततः सत्यवती भीष्मं वाचा संसज्जमानया । विहसन्तीव सव्रीडमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥BORI: १-०९९-३॥
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] (Jaya)
सत्यमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि भारत । विश्वासात्ते प्रवक्ष्यामि सन्तानाय कुलस्य च । न ते शक्यमनाख्यातुमापद्धीयं तथाविधा ॥BORI: १-०९९-४॥
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] (Jaya)
त्वमेव नः कुले धर्मस्त्वं सत्यं त्वं परा गतिः । तस्मान्निशम्य वाक्यं मे कुरुष्व यदनन्तरम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-५॥
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] (Jaya)
धर्मयुक्तस्य धर्मात्मन्पितुरासीत्तरी मम । सा कदाचिदहं तत्र गता प्रथमयौवने ॥BORI: १-०९९-६॥
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] (Jaya)
अथ धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठः परमर्षिः पराशरः । आजगाम तरीं धीमांस्तरिष्यन्यमुनां नदीम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-७॥
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] (Jaya)
स तार्यमाणो यमुनां मामुपेत्याब्रवीत्तदा । सान्त्वपूर्वं मुनिश्रेष्ठः कामार्तो मधुरं बहु ॥BORI: १-०९९-८॥
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] (Jaya)
तमहं शापभीता च पितुर्भीता च भारत । वरैरसुलभैरुक्ता न प्रत्याख्यातुमुत्सहे ॥BORI: १-०९९-९॥
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] (Jaya)
अभिभूय स मां बालां तेजसा वशमानयत् । तमसा लोकमावृत्य नौगतामेव भारत ॥BORI: १-०९९-१०॥
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] (Jaya)
मत्स्यगन्धो महानासीत्पुरा मम जुगुप्सितः । तमपास्य शुभं गन्धमिमं प्रादात्स मे मुनिः ॥BORI: १-०९९-११॥
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] (Jaya)
ततो मामाह स मुनिर्गर्भमुत्सृज्य मामकम् । द्वीपेऽस्या एव सरितः कन्यैव त्वं भविष्यसि ॥BORI: १-०९९-१२॥
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] (Jaya)
पाराशर्यो महायोगी स बभूव महानृषिः । कन्यापुत्रो मम पुरा द्वैपायन इति स्मृतः ॥BORI: १-०९९-१३॥
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] (Jaya)
यो व्यस्य वेदांश्चतुरस्तपसा भगवानृषिः । लोके व्यासत्वमापेदे कार्ष्ण्यात्कृष्णत्वमेव च ॥BORI: १-०९९-१४॥
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] (Jaya)
सत्यवादी शमपरस्तपस्वी दग्धकिल्बिषः । स नियुक्तो मया व्यक्तं त्वया च अमितद्युते । भ्रातुः क्षेत्रेषु कल्याणमपत्यं जनयिष्यति ॥BORI: १-०९९-१५॥
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] (Jaya)
स हि मामुक्तवांस्तत्र स्मरेः कृत्येषु मामिति । तं स्मरिष्ये महाबाहो यदि भीष्म त्वमिच्छसि ॥BORI: १-०९९-१६॥
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] (Jaya)
तव ह्यनुमते भीष्म नियतं स महातपाः । विचित्रवीर्यक्षेत्रेषु पुत्रानुत्पादयिष्यति ॥BORI: १-०९९-१७॥
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] (Jaya)
महर्षेः कीर्तने तस्य भीष्मः प्राञ्जलिरब्रवीत् । धर्ममर्थं च कामं च त्रीनेतान्योऽनुपश्यति ॥BORI: १-०९९-१८॥
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] (Jaya)
अर्थमर्थानुबन्धं च धर्मं धर्मानुबन्धनम् । कामं कामानुबन्धं च विपरीतान्पृथक्पृथक् । यो विचिन्त्य धिया सम्यग्व्यवस्यति स बुद्धिमान् ॥BORI: १-०९९-१९॥
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] (Jaya)
तदिदं धर्मयुक्तं च हितं चैव कुलस्य नः । उक्तं भवत्या यच्छ्रेयः परमं रोचते मम ॥BORI: १-०९९-२०॥
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] (Jaya)
ततस्तस्मिन्प्रतिज्ञाते भीष्मेण कुरुनन्दन । कृष्णद्वैपायनं काली चिन्तयामास वै मुनिम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-२१॥
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] (Jaya)
स वेदान्विब्रुवन्धीमान्मातुर्विज्ञाय चिन्तितम् । प्रादुर्बभूवाविदितः क्षणेन कुरुनन्दन ॥BORI: १-०९९-२२॥
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] (Jaya)
तस्मै पूजां तदा दत्त्वा सुताय विधिपूर्वकम् । परिष्वज्य च बाहुभ्यां प्रस्नवैरभिषिच्य च । मुमोच बाष्पं दाशेयी पुत्रं दृष्ट्वा चिरस्य तम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-२३॥
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] (Jaya)
तामद्भिः परिषिच्यार्तां महर्षिरभिवाद्य च । मातरं पूर्वजः पुत्रो व्यासो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥BORI: १-०९९-२४॥
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] (Jaya)
भवत्या यदभिप्रेतं तदहं कर्तुमागतः । शाधि मां धर्मतत्त्वज्ञे करवाणि प्रियं तव ॥BORI: १-०९९-२५॥
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] (Jaya)
तस्मै पूजां ततोऽकार्षीत्पुरोधाः परमर्षये । स च तां प्रतिजग्राह विधिवन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-२६॥
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] (Jaya)
तमासनगतं माता पृष्ट्वा कुशलमव्ययम् । सत्यवत्यभिवीक्ष्यैनमुवाचेदमनन्तरम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-२७॥
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] (Jaya)
मातापित्रोः प्रजायन्ते पुत्राः साधारणाः कवे । तेषां पिता यथा स्वामी तथा माता न संशयः ॥BORI: १-०९९-२८॥
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] (Jaya)
विधातृविहितः स त्वं यथा मे प्रथमः सुतः । विचित्रवीर्यो ब्रह्मर्षे तथा मेऽवरजः सुतः ॥BORI: १-०९९-२९॥
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] (Jaya)
यथैव पितृतो भीष्मस्तथा त्वमपि मातृतः । भ्राता विचित्रवीर्यस्य यथा वा पुत्र मन्यसे ॥BORI: १-०९९-३०॥
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] (Jaya)
अयं शान्तनवः सत्यं पालयन्सत्यविक्रमः । बुद्धिं न कुरुतेऽपत्ये तथा राज्यानुशासने ॥BORI: १-०९९-३१॥
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] (Jaya)
स त्वं व्यपेक्षया भ्रातुः सन्तानाय कुलस्य च । भीष्मस्य चास्य वचनान्नियोगाच्च ममानघ ॥BORI: १-०९९-३२॥
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] (Jaya)
अनुक्रोशाच्च भूतानां सर्वेषां रक्षणाय च । आनृशंस्येन यद्ब्रूयां तच्छ्रुत्वा कर्तुमर्हसि ॥BORI: १-०९९-३३॥
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] (Jaya)
यवीयसस्तव भ्रातुर्भार्ये सुरसुतोपमे । रूपयौवनसम्पन्ने पुत्रकामे च धर्मतः ॥BORI: १-०९९-३४॥
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] (Jaya)
तयोरुत्पादयापत्यं समर्थो ह्यसि पुत्रक । अनुरूपं कुलस्यास्य सन्तत्याः प्रसवस्य च ॥BORI: १-०९९-३५॥
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] (Jaya)
व्यास उवाच॥
Vyasa said:
[PV-KDV:01_014_131] (Jaya)
वेत्थ धर्मं सत्यवति परं चापरमेव च । यथा च तव धर्मज्ञे धर्मे प्रणिहिता मतिः ॥BORI: १-०९९-३६॥
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] (Jaya)
तस्मादहं त्वन्नियोगाद्धर्ममुद्दिश्य कारणम् । ईप्सितं ते करिष्यामि दृष्टं ह्येतत्पुरातनम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-३७॥
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] (Jaya)
भ्रातुः पुत्रान्प्रदास्यामि मित्रावरुणयोः समान् । व्रतं चरेतां ते देव्यौ निर्दिष्टमिह यन्मया ॥BORI: १-०९९-३८॥
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] (Jaya)
संवत्सरं यथान्यायं ततः शुद्धे भविष्यतः । न हि मामव्रतोपेता उपेयात्काचिदङ्गना ॥BORI: १-०९९-३९॥
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] (Jaya)
सत्यवत्युवाच॥
Satyavatī said:
[PV-KDV:01_014_136] (Jaya)
यथा सद्यः प्रपद्येत देवी गर्भं तथा कुरु । अराजकेषु राष्ट्रेषु नास्ति वृष्टिर्न देवताः ॥BORI: १-०९९-४०॥
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] (Jaya)
कथमराजकं राष्ट्रं शक्यं धारयितुं प्रभो । तस्माद्गर्भं समाधत्स्व भीष्मस्तं वर्धयिष्यति ॥BORI: १-०९९-४१॥
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] (Jaya)
व्यास उवाच॥
Vyasa said:
[PV-KDV:01_014_139] (Jaya)
यदि पुत्रः प्रदातव्यो मया क्षिप्रमकालिकम् । विरूपतां मे सहतामेतदस्याः परं व्रतम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-४२॥
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] (Jaya)
यदि मे सहते गन्धं रूपं वेषं तथा वपुः । अद्यैव गर्भं कौसल्या विशिष्टं प्रतिपद्यताम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-४३॥
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] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_014_142] (Jaya)
समागमनमाकाङ्क्षन्निति सोऽन्तर्हितो मुनिः । ततोऽभिगम्य सा देवी स्नुषां रहसि सङ्गताम् । धर्म्यमर्थसमायुक्तमुवाच वचनं हितम् ॥BORI: १-०९९-४४॥
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] (Jaya)
कौसल्ये धर्मतन्त्रं यद्ब्रवीमि त्वां निबोध मे । भरतानां समुच्छेदो व्यक्तं मद्भाग्यसङ्क्षयात् ॥BORI: १-०९९-४५॥
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] (Jaya)
व्यथितां मां च सम्प्रेक्ष्य पितृवंशं च पीडितम् । भीष्मो बुद्धिमदान्मेऽत्र धर्मस्य च विवृद्धये ॥BORI: १-०९९-४६॥
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] (Jaya)
सा च बुद्धिस्तवाधीना पुत्रि ज्ञातं मयेति ह । नष्टं च भारतं वंशं पुनरेव समुद्धर ॥BORI: १-०९९-४७॥
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] (Jaya)
पुत्रं जनय सुश्रोणि देवराजसमप्रभम् । स हि राज्यधुरं गुर्वीमुद्वक्ष्यति कुलस्य नः ॥BORI: १-०९९-४८॥
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] (Jaya)
सा धर्मतोऽनुनीयैनां कथञ्चिद्धर्मचारिणीम् । भोजयामास विप्रांश्च देवर्षीनतिथींस्तथा ॥BORI: १-०९९-४९॥
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] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_014_179] (Jaya)
ततः सत्यवती काले वधूं स्नातामृतौ तदा । संवेशयन्ती शयने शनकैर्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥BORI: १-१००- १॥
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] (Jaya)
कौसल्ये देवरस्तेऽस्ति सोऽद्य त्वानुप्रवेक्ष्यति । अप्रमत्ता प्रतीक्षैनं निशीथे आगमिष्यति ॥BORI: १-१००- २॥
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] (Jaya)
श्वश्र्वास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शयाना शयने शुभे । साचिन्तयत्तदा भीष्ममन्यांश्च कुरुपुङ्गवान् ॥BORI: १-१००- ३॥
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] (Jaya)
ततोऽम्बिकायां प्रथमं नियुक्तः सत्यवागृषिः । दीप्यमानेषु दीपेषु शयनं प्रविवेश ह ॥BORI: १-१००- ४॥
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] (Jaya)
तस्य कृष्णस्य कपिला जटा दीप्ते च लोचने । बभ्रूणि चैव श्मश्रूणि दृष्ट्वा देवी न्यमीलयत् ॥BORI: १-१००- ५॥
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] (Jaya)
सम्बभूव तया रात्रौ मातुः प्रियचिकीर्षया । भयात् काशिसुता तं तु नाशक्नोदभिवीक्षितुम् ॥BORI: १-१००- ६॥
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] (Jaya)
ततो निष्क्रान्तमासाद्य माता पुत्रमथाब्रवीत् । अप्यस्यां गुणवान्पुत्र राजपुत्रो भविष्यति ॥BORI: १-१००- ७॥
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] (Jaya)
निशम्य तद्वचो मातुर्व्यासः परमबुद्धिमान् । प्रोवाचातीन्द्रियज्ञानो विधिना सम्प्रचोदितः ॥BORI: १-१००- ८॥
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] (Jaya)
महाभागो महावीर्यो महाबुद्धिर्भविष्यति ॥BORI: १-१००- ९B॥
The foremost of royal sages, greatly blessed, immensely valiant, and highly intelligent. (BORI: 1-100-9B)
[PV-KDV:01_014_189] (Jaya)
किं तु मातुः स वैगुण्यादन्ध एव भविष्यति ॥BORI: १-१००- १०B॥
but because of a defect in his mother, he himself will be blind. (BORI: 1-100-10B)
[PV-KDV:01_014_191] (Jaya)
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा माता पुत्रमथाब्रवीत् । नान्धः कुरूणां नृपतिरनुरूपस्तपोधन ॥BORI: १-१००- ११॥
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] (Jaya)
ज्ञातिवंशस्य गोप्तारं पितृणां वंशवर्धनम् । द्वितीयं कुरुवंशस्य राजानं दातुमर्हसि ॥BORI: १-१००- १२॥
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] (Jaya)
स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय निश्चक्राम महातपाः । सापि कालेन कौसल्या सुषुवेऽन्धं तमात्मजम् ॥BORI: १-१००- १३॥
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] (Jaya)
पुनरेव तु सा देवी परिभाष्य स्नुषां ततः । ऋषिमावाहयत्सत्या यथापूर्वमनिन्दिता ॥BORI: १-१००- १४॥
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] (Jaya)
ततस्तेनैव विधिना महर्षिस्तामपद्यत । अम्बालिकामथाभ्यागादृषिं दृष्ट्वा च सापि तम् । विषण्णा पाण्डुसङ्काशा समपद्यत भारत ॥BORI: १-१००- १५॥
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] (Jaya)
तां भीतां पाण्डुसङ्काशां विषण्णां प्रेक्ष्य पार्थिव । व्यासः सत्यवतीपुत्र इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥BORI: १-१००- १६॥
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] (Jaya)
यस्मात्पाण्डुत्वमापन्ना विरूपं प्रेक्ष्य मामपि । तस्मादेष सुतस्तुभ्यं पाण्डुरेव भविष्यति ॥BORI: १-१००- १७॥
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] (Jaya)
नाम चास्य तदेवेह भविष्यति शुभानने । इत्युक्त्वा स निराक्रामद्भगवानृषिसत्तमः ॥BORI: १-१००- १८॥
“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] (Jaya)
तं माता पुनरेवान्यमेकं पुत्रमयाचत । तथेति च महर्षिस्तां मातरं प्रत्यभाषत ॥BORI: १-१००- २०॥
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] (Jaya)
ऋतुकाले ततो ज्येष्ठां वधूं तस्मै न्ययोजयत् । सा तु रूपं च गन्धं च महर्षेः प्रविचिन्त्य तम् । नाकरोद्वचनं देव्या भयात्सुरसुतोपमा ॥BORI: १-१००- २२॥
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] (Jaya)
ततः स्वैर्भूषणैर्दासीं भूषयित्वाप्सरोपमाम् । प्रेषयामास कृष्णाय ततः काशिपतेः सुता ॥BORI: १-१००- २३॥
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] (Jaya)
दासी ऋषिमनुप्राप्तं प्रत्युद्गम्याभिवाद्य च । संविवेशाभ्यनुज्ञाता सत्कृत्योपचचार ह ॥BORI: १-१००- २४॥
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] (Jaya)
कामोपभोगेन तु स तस्यां तुष्टिमगादृषिः । तया सहोषितो रात्रिं महर्षिः प्रीयमाणया ॥BORI: १-१००- २५॥
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] (Jaya)
उत्तिष्ठन्नब्रवीदेनामभुजिष्या भविष्यसि । अयं च ते शुभे गर्भः श्रीमानुदरमागतः । धर्मात्मा भविता लोके सर्वबुद्धिमतां वरः ॥BORI: १-१००- २६॥
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] (Jaya)
स धर्मस्यानृणो भूत्वा पुनर्मात्रा समेत्य च । तस्यै गर्भं समावेद्य तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥BORI: १-१००- २९॥
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] (Jaya)
एवं विचित्रवीर्यस्य क्षेत्रे द्वैपायनादपि । जज्ञिरे देवगर्भाभाः कुरुवंशविवर्धनाः ॥BORI: १-१००- ३०॥
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] (Jaya)