Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/276

262 of Madra. O son, all these maidens are of course of blue blood. Possessed of beauty and pure blood, they are eminently fit for an alliance with our family. O thou foremost of intelligent men, 'I think we should choose them for the growth of our race. Tell me what thou thinkest.' Thus addressed, Vidura replied, "Thou art our father and thou art our mother, too! Thou art our respected spiritual instructor ! Therefore, do thou what may be best for us in thy eyes !'

Vaisampayana continued.--"Soon after Bhishma heard from the Brahmanas that Gandhari, the amiable daughter of Suvala, having worshipped Hara (Siva) had obtained from the deity the boon that she should have a century of sons. Bhishma, the grand father of the Kurus, having heard this, sent messengers unto the king of Gandhara. King Suvala at first hesitated on account of the blindness of the bridegroom, but taking into consideration the blood of the Kurus, their fame and behaviour, he gave his virtuous daughter unto Dhritarashtra and the chaste Gandhari hearing that Dhritarashtra was blind and that her parents had consented to wed her with him, from love and respect for her future husband blindfolded her own eyes. Sakuni, the son of Suvala, bringing unto the Kurus his sister endued with youth and beauty, formally gave her away unto Dhritarastra. And Gandhari was received with great respect and the nuptials were celebrated with great pomp under Bhishma's directions. And the heroic Sakuni, after having bestowed his sister along with many valuable robes, and having received Bhishma's adorations, returned to his own city. And, O thou of Bharata's race, the beautiful Gandhari gratified all the Kurus by her behaviour and respectful attentions. And Gandhari. ever devoted to her husband, gratified her superiors by her good conduct; and as she was chaste, she never referred even by words to men other than her husband or such superiors."

Thus ends the hundred and tenth section in the Sambhava Parva of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana continued.-"There was amongst the Yadavas a chief named Sura. He was the father of Vesudeva. And he had a daughter called Pritha, who was unrivalled for beauty on Earth. And, Othou of Bharata's race, Sura, always truthful in speech, gave from friendship this bis first-born daughter 'unto his childless cousin and friend, the illustrious Kuntibhoja-the son of his paternal aunt