Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/325

Rh accord is never applauded by the wise.' Pratipa then answered, 'O thou of the fairest complexion, moved by lust I never go unto others' wives or women that are not of my order. This, indeed, is my virtuous vow! The maiden rejoined, 'I am not inauspicious or ugly. I am every way worthy of being enjoyed. I am a celestial maiden of rare beauty. I desire thee for my husband. Refuse me not, O king!' To this Pratipa: 'I am, O damsel, abstaining from that course to which thou wouldst incite me. If I break my vow, sin will overwhelm and slay me. O thou of the fairest complexion, thou hast embraced me sitting on my right thigh. But, O timid one, know that is the seat for daughters and daughters-in-law. The left lap is for the wife, but thou hast not accepted that. Therefore, O best of women, I cannot enjoy thee as an object of desire. Be my daughter-in-law. I accept thee for my son.'

"The damsel then said, 'O thou virtuous one, let it be as thou sayest. Let me be united with thy son. From my respect for thee, I shall be a wife of the celebrated Bharata race, Ye (of the Bharata race) are the stay of all the monarchs on earth. I am incapable of numbering the virtues of this race even in an hundred years. The greatness and goodness of many celebrated monarchs of this race are also limitless. O lord of all, let it be understood now that when I become thy daughter-in-law, thy son shall not be able to judge of the propriety of my acts. Living thus with thy son I shall do good to him and increase his happiness. And he shall finally attain to heaven in consequence of the sons I shall bare him, his virtues, and good conduct.

Vaisampayana continued, "O king, having said so, the celestial damsel then and there disappeared. And the king too waited for the birth of his son inorder to fulfill his promise.

"About this time Pratipa, that light of the Kuru race, that bull amongst the Kshatrias, then engaged, along with his wife, in ascetic austerities from desire of offspring. And when they had grown old, a son was born unto them, This was no other than Mahabhisha. And the child was called Shantanu because he was born when his father bad controlled