Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/269

Rh practice that is conformable to the true and eternal religion is known to me, I shall give unto my brother children that shall be like unto Tama and Varuna. Let the ladies then duly observe for one full year che vow I indicate. They shall then be purified. No women shall ever approach me without having observed a rigid vow ! !

"Satyavati then said, 'O sinless one, it must not be as thou sayest. On the other hand, take such steps that the ladies may conceive immediately. In a kingdom where there is no king, the people perish from want of protection : sacrifices and other holy acts are suspended ; the clouds send no showers; and the gods disappear. How can, O lord a kingdom be protected that hath no king? Therefore, see thou that the ladies conceive. Bhishma will watch over the children as long as they are in their mother's wombs! - "Vyasa replied,- 'If I am to give unto my brother children so auseasonably, then let the ladies bear my ugliness. That in itself shall, in their case, be tbe austerest of penances. If the princess of Kosala can bear my strong odour, my ugly and grim visage, my attire and body, she shall then conceive an excellent child ?

Vaisampayana continued,-"Having spoken thus unto Satyavati, Vyasa of great energy again addressed her and said, --'Let the princess of Kosala clad in clean attire and decked with ornaments wait for me in her bed-chamber. Saying this, the Rishi disappeared. Satyavati then went to her daughter-in-law and seeing her in private spoke to her these words of beneficial and virtuous import, 'O princess of Kosala, listen to what I say. It is consistent with virtue. The dynasty of the Bharatas hath became extinct from my misfortune. Beholding my affliction and the extinction of his paternal line, the wise Bhishma. impelled also by the desire of perpetuating our race, hath made me a suggestion, which suggestion, however, for its accomplishment is dependent on theel Accomplish it, О daughter, and restore the lost line of the Bharatas! O thou of fair hips, bring thou forth a child equal in splendour unto the chief of the celestials ! He shall bear the onerous burden of this our hereditary kingdom !"

Satyavati having succeeded with great difficulty in procuring the assent of her virtuous daughter-in-law to her proposal which was not inconsistent with virtue, then fed Brahmanas and Rishis and numberless guests who arrived on the occasion."

Thus ends the hundred and fifth section in the Sambhava Parva of the Adi Parva,