Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/266

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252
MAHABHARATA

with every duty went to the Ganges to perform bis ablutions. And as the monarch was thus engaged, the raft to which the Rishi was tied, approached him. And as it came, the king took the old man. The virtuous Vali, ever devoted to truth, then learnig who the man was that was thus saved by bim, chose him for raising up offspring. And Vali said, - illustrious one, it behoveth thee to raise upon my wife a few sons that shall be virtuous and wise Thus addressed, the Rishi endued with great energy, expressed his willingness. Thereupon king Vali sent his wife Sudeshna unto him. But the queen knowing that the latter was blind and old went not unto him, she sent unto him her nurse. And upon that Sudra woman the virtuous Rishi of passions under full control begat eleven children of whom Kakshivat was the eldest. And beholding those eleven sons with Kakshivat as the eldest, who had studied all the Vedas and who like Rishis were utterers of Brahma and were possessed of great power, king Vali one day asked the Rishi sayining.- Are these children mine? - The Rishi replied - No, they are mine. Kakshivat and others have been begotton by me upon a Sudra woman. Thy unfortunate queen Sudeshna, seeing me blind and old, insulted me by not coming herself but sending unto me, instead, her nurse --The king then pacified that best of Rishis and sent unto him his queen Sudeshna. The Rishi by merely touching her person told her - Thou shalt have five children name Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Pundra and Cumbha, who shall be like unto Suryya (Sun) him. self in glory. And after their names as many countries shall be known on Earth--It is after their names that their dominions have come to be called Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Pundra and Cumbha.

"It was thus that the line of Vali was perpetuated, in days of old, by a great Rishi. And it was thus also that many mighty bowmen and great car-warriors wedding to virtue, sprung in the Kshatriya race from the seed of Brahmanas. Hearing this, O mother, do as thou likest. as regards the matter in hand

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

SECTION CV

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Bhishma, continued-'Listen, O mother, to me as I indicate the means by which the Bharata line may be perpetuated! Let an accomplished Brahmana be invited by an offer of wealth, and let him raise offspring upon the wives of Vichitravirya.'"