Ganga-2

Smiling brightly, Satyavati agreed with Bhishma and informed him, O descendant of Bharata, I agree with this proposal. I now understand what is to be done in this connection. My father was an honest man, and to maintain pious activities, he kept a boat for rowing passengers across the river Yamuna. One day the great sage Parashara came and requested me to take him across the river. While I was rowing the boat, the sage became attracted to my beauty and requested fulfilment of his passionate desire. However, I was afraid of my father's wrath, but I was also afraid that the Rishi might curse me. The sage brought me under his control, and in the middle of the river Yamuna, he created a dense fog. He satisfied his sensual desires and was very pleased with my submissiveness.

Before that time, Satyavati continued, a fishy odour emanated from my body, but after the Rishi's touch, a celestial aroma radiates from my person. The sage assured me that by bringing forth a child in the middle of the river, I would still remain a virgin. The child born of our union was the eminent erudite sage, Vyasadeva. He has compiled the Vedic knowledge, and expounded the science of devotion to God. Because he was born in the middle of a river, he became known as Dwaipayana the island born. Because he compiled the Vedas, he is known as Vyasadeva, and because of his blackish complexion, he is known as Krishna. He is truthful in speech, sense controlled, and freed from all sins. If I ask him, then certainly he will generate good children by the wives of your brother. Previously, Vyasa had promised me, Mother, when you are in difficulty simply remembers me, and I will come to you by the speed of the mind.' If you are willing, Bhishma, I will call him this very moment.

Upon hearing the name of Vyasa, Bhishma joined his palms in reverence saying, this sage has true wisdom and sense control, and would be a fit person to continue the Kuru dynasty. Therefore, you have my full approval.

When Bhishma had given his consent, Satyavati immediately thought of her son, Vyasa, and within moments, the great sage appeared before her. Satyavati duly welcomed her son and taking him in her arms, bathed him with affectionate tears. Vyasa offered obeisance to his mother saying, O mother, I have come to fulfil your desire. Command me at once, and I shall carry out your order.

O my son, Satyavati replied, recently Vichitravirya, the King of this world, expired leaving no descendant, and thus the Kuru dynasty is in danger of extinction. Here is Bhishma, Shantanu's son, but he has taken a vow of celibacy and will not beget children. The two wives of Vichitravirya, Ambika and Ambalika, are still living, and I request you to conceive children by them to continue the Kuru dynasty.

Vyasadeva, hearing the appeals of his mother, replied, Since Vichitravirya is my brother, born of your womb, I shall give birth to children who will equal the heavenly gods. Let the queens observe the vows I indicate for one full year.

Satyavati expressed her urgency, there is very little time for vows. The earth is without a king, and the citizens, being without a protector, will certainly perish.

If conception must take place this month, Vyasadeva replied, then the queens of Kashi must be willing to bear my ugliness, strong odour and matted locks. If they can perform these austerities, then they will give birth to noble children. Let one of the queens, dressed in clean clothes and decorated with ornaments; wait for me in her bed chamber.

Satyavati then approached Ambika, explaining to her the situation. With great effort Ambika was convinced that it was for the good of the world. When the right time came for conceiving a child, Satyavati took Ambika to the bed chamber and told her, Vichitravirya had an older brother who has been, until this time, unknown to you. He will soon come here and conceive a child by you that will perpetuate our dynasty. Wait for him here without dropping off to sleep.

Ambika then waited in her room consider the person to be Bhishma or one of the other Kuru elders. Vyasa visited to Ambika in her chambers during the night and Ambika, seeing his matted locks, ugly features, Seeing the Rishi with burning eyes, and a very dreadful and forbidding appearance. She became frightened and closed her eyes. During the night she could not dare open her eyes. And horrible visage closed her eyes in fear and did not open them once during the time of conception. When Vyasa came out in the morning, Satyavati inquired from his son, Vyasa, if a son would be born to Ambika. Will this princess have a worthy son?

The Sage replied that a very strong and learned son would be born to Ambika.  The child born shall have the power of ten thousand elephants. He will be equal to a royal sage, and will possess learning, intelligence and prowess. However, because the princess has closed her eyes during conception, the child shall be born blind. Upon hearing this prediction from her son, Satyavati wondered, how can a blind king rule this earth? How will he protect his family and the people of this world? You must again conceive another child that can act as a King. Vyasadeva agreed and went away. In due course of time, Ambika gave birth to a male child who was blind. After the child's birth, he was given the name Dhritarastra.

Satyavati was anxious to beget another male child who could rule the world, and after receiving Ambalika's consent, she called for Vyasadeva, and requested the sage to visit the second wife of Vichitravirya, Ambalika. Vyasa under the orders of her mother agreed. Satyavati told Ambalika to receive the Sage with all cheer and pleasantness and to keep her eyes open. The queen agreed to it as it was her dharma. Vyasadeva approached the chambers of Ambalika. Ambalika, seeing the repulsive features of Vyasa, She did not close her eyes a bidden by Satyavati, but with dread her colour turned pale seeing the Rishi with fear. After conception, the sage left the chambers and told his mother, that, Ambalika would be blessed with a very handsome and brave son. But as her colour became pale when the son was being put into her womb, the son also would be of pale complexion. Satyavati was very much grieved but nothing could be done more.

Vyasa came to ask her mother’s permission to depart. She requested Vyasa to visit Ambika once more after her son was born, so that she could get a son having eyesight. Vyasa agreed to her mother’s wishes. Vyasa left Hastinapura.

In due course two children were born to the respective queens. The son of Ambika was blind while the son of Ambalika was yellowish. They were named Dhritahastra and Pandu. Satyavati approached the beautiful Ambika, again asking her to conceive a child by Vyasadeva. Satyavati again sent for Vyasa and warned her daughter-in-law regarding her proper conduct when the Sage re-visited her. She reminded her of her mistake, which had resulted in her son being born blind.

Ambika was still horrified by the appearance of Vyasa. She could not gather courage to receive the Sage again. Instead she asked her maid to go in her place and receive the Rishi.  And thus she sent to her chambers one of her maid servants who had heavenly beauty. When Vyasa entered the chambers, the maid servant offered respects to the sage, treating him kindly. She took her seat near him when asked. The maid served the Rishi with full attention and devotion. Vyasadeva was well pleased with her, and upon leaving told her, you shall be a slave no longer. Your child will be justice personified and esteemed among intelligent men on earth. After leaving the queen's chambers, in the morning he informed Satyavati of Ambalika's dishonesty, and how he had begotten a son by a shudra woman. After speaking with his mother, that a wise and good son would be born, who would be an incarnation of Lord of Dharma, but the son would be born to the maid who had served him at night and not to Ambika. Vyasa gave his blessings and Vyasa disappeared. The third child born to the maid was named Vidura.  He was an incarnation of Yamaraja, the great Vaishnava mahajana and the Lord of death. Due to the curse of Mandavya Muni, Yamaraja had to be born on earth as a shudra.

The first born, Dhritarastra was blessed with unusual strength and Pandu was exceptionally proficient in the art of archery. Vidura was the wisest of the three. Dhritarastra was appointed as the crown prince. Pandu was made commander of the army. Vidura was made a Minister to the king. Since Dhritarastra was blind, the Pandu ruled the kingdom with the assistance of Vidura.

Thus from the wives of Vichitravirya, Vyasadeva begot two sons, Dhritarastra and Pandu, who would save the Kuru race from extinction.

Now, the princes were of marriageable age, Bhishma started looking for suitable brides for them. For Dhritarastra, daughter of the king of Gandhara, Gandhari was found suitable, she consented to marry Dhritarastra. As she did not want to be better in any respect of her husband, she bound a silk scarf on her eyes and vowed never to remove it. Pandu was married to the daughter of the king of Madra Kingdom. Her name was Madri and she was exceptionally beautiful and charming.