Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/267

Rh Vaisampayana continued, -"Satyavati then, smiling softly and in voice broken in bashfulness, addressed Bhishma saying, 'O Bharata of mighty arms, what thou sayest is true. From my confidence in thee I shall now indicate the means of perpetuating our line. Thou shalt not be able to reject it. conversant as thou art with the practices per. mitted in seasons of distress. In out race, thou art Virtue, and thou art Truth, and thou art, too, our sole refuge ! Therefore hearing what I say truly, do what may be proper 1"

"My father was a virtuous man. For virtue's sake he had kept a (ferry) boat. One day, in the prime of my youth, I went to ply that boat. It so happended that the great and wise Rishi Parasara, that foremost of all virtuous men, came, and betook himself to my boat for crossing the Yamuna. As I was rowing him across the river. the Rishi became excited with desire and began to address me in soft words. The fear of my father was uppermost in my mind. But the terror of the Rishi's curse at last prevailed. And having obtained from him a precious boon, I could not refuse his solicitations. The Rishi by his energy brought me under his complete control, and gratified his desire then and there, having first enveloped the region in a thick fog. Before this there was a revolting fishy odour in my body; but the Rishi dispelled it and gave me my present fragrance. The Rishi also told me that by bringing forth his child in an island of the river, I would still continue (to be) a virgin. And the child of Parasara so born of me in my maidenhood hath became a great Rishi endued with large ascetic powers and known by the name of Dwaipayna (the island-born). That illustrious Rishi having by his ascetic power divided the Vedas into four parts hath come to be called on Earth by the name of Vyasa (the divider or arranger), and for his dark colour, Krishna (the dark). Truthful in speech, free from passion, a mighty ascetic who hath burnt all his sins, be went away with his father immediately after his birth, Appointed by me and thee also, that Rishi of imcomparable splendour will certainly beget good children upon the wives of thy brother. He told me when be went away.--Mother, think of me when thou art in difficulty. I will now call him up. if thou, O Bhishma of mighty arms so desirest! If thou art willing, O Bhishma, I am sure that great ascetic will beget children upon Vichittravirya's Geld !'

Vaisa mpayana continued.--"Mention being made of the great Rishi, Bhisma with joined palms said.--"That man is truly intelligent who fixes bis eyes judiciously on virtue, profit, and pleasure, and who after reflecting with patience, acteth in such a way that virtue may lead to future virtue, profit to future profit and pleasure to future pleasure.