Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/156

142 accepting your embraces my virginity will be sullied. O best of Brahmanas, my virginity being sullied, how shall I, O Rishi, be able to return home? Indeed, I shall not then be able to bear life! Reflecting upon all this. O illustrious one, do that which should be done l' That best of Rishis, gratified with all she said.-replied. --Thou shalt remain a virgin even if thou grantest my wish. And, O timid one, O beauteous lady, solicit the boon that thou desirest! O thou fair smiles, my grace hath never before proved fruitless !' Thus addressed, the maiden asked for the boon that her body might emit a sweet scent (instead of the fish-odour that it had). And the illustrious Rishi thereupon granted that wish of her heart."

"Having obtained her boon, she became highly 'pleased, and her season immediately came, And she accepted the embraces of that Rishi of wonderful deeds. And she thenceforth became known among men by name of Gandhavati (the sweet-scented one). And men could perceive her scent from the distance of a yojana. And for this she was known by another name which was Yojanagandha (one who scatters her scent for a yojana all around). And the illustrious Parasata, after this, went to his own asylum."

"And Satyavati gratified with baving obtained the excellent boon (in consequence of which she became sweet-scented and her virginity remained unsullied conceived through Parasara's embraces. And she brought forth the very day, on an island in the Yamuna, the child begot upon her by Prrasara and gifted with great energy. And the child, with the permission of his mother, set his mind on asceticism. And he went away saying. As soon as thou rememberest me when occasion comes, I shall appear unto thee !'"

"And it was thus that Vyasa was born of Satyavati through Parasara. And because he was born in an island, he was called Dwaipayana (Dwaipa or island-born). And the learned Dwaipayana, beholding that virtue is destined to become lame by one leg each yuga (she having four legs in all) and that the period of life and the strength of men followed the yugas, and moved by the desire of obtaining the favour of Brahmana and the Brahmanas, arranged the Vedas. And for this he came to be called Vyasa (the arranger or compiler). The boon-giving great one then taught Sumanta, Jaimini. Paila, his son Suka, and Vaisampayana, the Vedas having the Mahabharata for their fitth. And the cympilation of the Bharata was published by bim through tbem separately."

"Then Bhishma, of great energy and fame and of immeasurable splendour, and sprung from the component parts of the Vasus, was born in the womb of Ganga through king Santanu. And there was a Rishi of the name of Animandavya of great fame. And he was conversant