Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/339

Rh after, the Apsaras and the gods with the tribes of the Rishis began to rain down flowers from the firmament upon the head of and exclaimed, 'This one is Bhisma (the terrible.)' Bhisma then, for serving his father, addressed the illustrious damsel and said, 'O mother, ascend this chariot, and let us go unto our house.

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, Bhisma made the beautiful maiden ride on his chariot. And arriving with her at Hastinapore, he told Shautanu everything as it had happened. And the assembled monarchs, jointly and individually, applauded his extraordinary act, and said, 'He is really Bhisma (the terrible).' And Shantanu also hearing of the extraordinary achievement of his son became highly gratified and bestowed upon the high-souled prince the boon of death at choice, saying, 'Death shall never come to thee as long as thou desirest to live. Truly, death shall approach thee, O sinless one, having first obtained thy command.

Thus ends the hundreth Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.

 

( Sambhava Parva continued. )

Vaisampayana said, "O monarch, after the nuptials were over, king Shantanu established his beautiful bride in his household. Soon after was born of Satyavati an intelligent and heroic son of Shantanu named Chittrangada. He was endued with great energy and became the foremost of men. The lord Shantanu of great prowess also begat in Satyavati another son named who became a mighty bowman and who became king after his father. And before that bull among men,, had attained to majority, the wise king Shantanu realised the inevitable influence of Time. And after Shantanu had ascended to heaven, Bhisma, placing himself under the command of Satyavati, installed that suppressor of the foe, Chittrangada, on the throne. Chittrangada soon vanquished by his prowess all monarchs. He considered not any man as his equal. And beholding that he 39