01.111
Core:Pandu quotes scriptures and asks Kanti to get progeny from someone superior to him.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Abiding in supreme penance there, he, powerful, became pleasing to behold to the groups of Siddhas and Cāraṇas.
He, eager to serve, modest in speech, self-controlled and sense-conquered, endeavored to attain heaven by his own strength, O Bhārata.
He was like a brother to some, a friend to others, and some sages protected him like a son.
He, having attained sinless penance over a long time, became like a Brahmarṣi — Pāṇḍu, O best of the Bhāratas.
Desiring to reach the far side of heaven, he set out facing north from Mount Śataśṛṅga with his two wives. The ascetics there said: "Ascending higher and higher, face the king of mountains to the north."
We have seen many inaccessible regions of this mountain, which are the playgrounds of gods, Gandharvas, and Apsarases.
There are level and uneven gardens of Kubera, flanks of great rivers, fortresses, and mountain caves.
There are perpetually snowy regions without trees, animals, or birds; some are rainy and others are difficult fortresses.
No bird could cross those regions — how then could other animals? Only the wind passes through, along with perfected beings and supreme sages.
The two princesses are going in this king of mountains; how may they, undeserving of sorrow, not suffer? Do not proceed, O best of the Bhāratas.
Pāṇḍu said.
O highly fortunate ones, they do not indicate the path to heaven for the childless. Therefore, afflicted by this, being childless, I say this to you.
Humans are born on earth burdened with fourfold debts — to ancestors, gods, sages, and men — in hundreds of thousands.
But he who does not understand these in due time, his worlds do not exist — so it is established by the knowers of dharma.
One pleases the gods with sacrifices, the sages with study and austerity, the ancestors with sons and oblations, and humans with kindness.
I am freed by dharma from the debts to sages, gods, and men, but not from the ancestral debt; therefore I am tormented, O ascetics rich in austerity.
Upon the body’s destruction, the destruction of ancestors is certain — this is the firm conclusion. Therefore, the best of men are born for the sake of offspring.
Just as I was begotten by that great-souled one in my father’s field, so how indeed could offspring arise in this field of mine?
The ascetics said:
Indeed, O righteous-souled one, we know by divine vision that there is god-like, auspicious, and sinless offspring for you, O king.
O tiger among men, bring about the divinely ordained action here; the wise man obtains untroubled results without agitation.
When that result is seen, dear one, you should make effort; having obtained virtuous offspring, you will attain joy.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Having heard the ascetic’s words, Pāṇḍu became full of anxiety, knowing that his own function was obstructed by the curse of a deer.
He spoke in private to his righteous and illustrious wife Kuntī, urging her to take recourse for producing offspring in this difficulty.
Offspring, O Kuntī, is known among people as the foundation tied to dharma; the wise know this as eternal dharma from the beginning.
All sacrifices, gifts, penance, and observances properly performed are said to be not purifying here for the childless.
Thus knowing this, O pure-smiling one, I foresee that being childless, I shall not attain the auspicious worlds — so I think.
Indeed, due to the curse of the deer-sage, my progeny is lost — like that of a fearful and undisciplined one who acted cruelly, it stands obstructed.
These are the six types of sons who are kinsmen-heirs according to the dharma tradition. There are six more who are not such heirs — hear them from me, O Pṛthā.
The son begotten by oneself, appointed, purchased, born of a remarried woman, born of an unmarried girl, and born of a self-willed woman.
Given, bought, artificial, one who comes of his own accord, born of an already married woman, and one held by a lower womb.
In the absence of the earlier and best types, one should desire a son from the next; men desire a son from the best source, even in difficulty.
O Pṛthā, the virtuous obtain supreme offspring, givers of the fruit of dharma, even from one's own seed — so said Manu, son of Svayambhū.
Therefore, being myself deprived of generation, today I shall send you; know the offspring, O illustrious one, to be from one equal or superior.
Hear this story, O Kuntī, of the daughter of Śāradaṇḍāyana, who was a hero's wife, appointed by elders for bearing offspring.
Purified and bathed with flowers, at night, at a crossroad, O Kuntī, she chose an accomplished twice-born and, having offered into the fire in the puṁsavana rite—
When the ritual was completed, she lived with him there and gave birth to three great warriors, beginning with Durjaya.
Likewise, O auspicious one, from a Brāhmaṇa superior in austerity, by my instruction, endeavor quickly for the generation of offspring.
