Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/69

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Sauti said :-"O Brahman, Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, begot a son in the womb of his wite Sukanya. And that son was the illustrious Pramati of resplendent energy. And Pramati begot in the womb of Ghritachi a son called Ruru. And Ruru begot on his wife Pramadvara a son called Sunaka. And I shall relate to you in detail, O Brahmana. the entire history of Ruru of abundant energy. O listen to it then in full I"

"Formerly there was a great Rishi called Sthulakesba possessed of ascetic power and learning and kindly disposed towards all creatures. At that time, O Brahmana sage, Viswavashu, the King of the Gandharvas, it is said, had intimacy with Menaka. the celsstial dancing-girl. And the Apsata, Menaka, O thou of the Bhrigu race, when ber time was come, brought forth an infant near the hermitage of Sibulakesha. And dropping the new-born infant on the banks of the river, O Brahmana, Menaka, the Apsara, being destitute of pity and shame, went away. And the Rishi, Sthulakesha, of great ascetic power, discovered the infant lying forsaken in a lonely part of the river-side. And he perceived that it was a female child, bright as the offspring of an Immortal and blazing, as it were, with beauty. And the great Brahmana, Sthulakesha, the first of Munis, seeing that female child, and filled with campassion, took it up and reared it. And the lovely child grew up in bis holy habitation, the noble-minded and blessed Rishi Sthulakesha performing in due succession all the ceremonies beginnning with that at birth as ordained by the divine law. And beacuse she surpassed all of her sex in goodness, beauty, and every quality, the great Rishi called her by the name of Pramadvara. And the pious Ruru having seen Pramadvara in the hermitage of Sthulakesha became one whose heart was pierced by the god of love. And Ruru by means of his companions made bis father Pramati, the son of Bhrigu, acquainted with his passion. And Pramati demanded her of the far-famed Sthulakesha for his son. And her fosterfather betrothed the virgin Pramadvara to Ruru, fixing the nuptials for the day when the star Varga-Daivata (Purva-phalguni) would be ascendant,

“Then within a few days of the time fized for the nuptials, the beautiful virgin, while at play with companions of her own sex, her time having come, impelled by fate, trod upon a serpent which she did not perceive as it lay in coil. And the reptile, urged to execute the will of