Description of the Birth of Dhritarashtra and Others

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.1.20.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । शुकस्तु परमां सिद्धिमाप्तवान्देवसत्तमः । किं चकार ततो व्यासस्तन्नो ब्रूहि सविस्तरम् ॥ 20.1 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śukastu paramāṁ siddhimāptavāndevasattamaḥ kiṁ cakāra tato vyāsastanno brūhi savistaram

The sages said: Shuka attained the supreme accomplishment; what did Vyasa do thereafter? Tell us that in full detail.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.1.20.2)

सूत उवाच । शिष्या व्यासस्य येऽप्यासन्वेदाभ्यासपरायणाः । आज्ञामादाय ते सर्वे गताः पूर्वं महीतले ॥ 20.2 ॥

sūta uvāca śiṣyā vyāsasya ye'pyāsanvedābhyāsaparāyaṇāḥ ājñāmādāya te sarve gatāḥ pūrvaṁ mahītale

Suta said: Those disciples of Vyasa who were devoted to the practice of the Vedas, having received his instruction, all went out earlier upon the earth.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.1.20.3)

असितो देवलश्चैव वैशम्पायन एव च । जैमिनिश्च सुमन्तुश्च गताः सर्वे तपोधनाः ॥ 20.3 ॥

asito devalaścaiva vaiśampāyana eva ca jaiminiśca sumantuśca gatāḥ sarve tapodhanāḥ

Asita, and Devala, and Vaishampayana too, and Jaimini, and Sumantu — all these, rich in austerity, departed.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.1.20.4)

तानेतान्वीक्ष्य पुत्रं च लोकान्तरितमप्युत । व्यासः शोकसमाक्रान्तो गमनायाकरोन्मतिम् ॥ 20.4 ॥

tānetānvīkṣya putraṁ ca lokāntaritamapyuta vyāsaḥ śokasamākrānto gamanāyākaronmatim

Seeing these disciples gone, and his son too departed to another world, Vyasa, overcome with grief, resolved to set out on a journey.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.1.20.5)

सस्मार मनसा व्यासस्तां निषादसुतां शुभाम् । मातरं जाह्नवीतीरे मुक्तां शोकसमन्विताम् ॥ 20.5 ॥

sasmāra manasā vyāsastāṁ niṣādasutāṁ śubhām mātaraṁ jāhnavītīre muktāṁ śokasamanvitām

Vyasa remembered in his mind that auspicious fisherman's daughter, his mother, left behind on the bank of the Ganga, filled with grief.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.1.20.6)

स्मृत्वा सत्यवतीं व्यासस्त्यक्त्वा तं पर्वतोत्तमम् । आजगाम महातेजा जन्मस्थानं स्वकं मुनिः ॥ 20.6 ॥

smṛtvā satyavatīṁ vyāsastyaktvā taṁ parvatottamam ājagāma mahātejā janmasthānaṁ svakaṁ muniḥ

Remembering Satyavati, Vyasa, leaving that excellent mountain, that greatly splendid sage came to his own birthplace.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.1.20.7)

द्वीपं प्राप्याथ पप्रच्छ क्व गता सा वरानना । निषादास्तं समाचख्युर्दत्ता राज्ञे तु कन्यका ॥ 20.7 ॥

dvīpaṁ prāpyātha papraccha kva gatā sā varānanā niṣādāstaṁ samācakhyurdattā rājñe tu kanyakā

Having reached the island, he then asked: 'Where has that fair-faced one gone?' The fishermen told him: 'The maiden was given to a king.'

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.1.20.8)

दाशराजोऽपि सम्पूज्य व्यासं प्रीतिपुरःसरम् । स्वागतेनाभिसत्कृत्य प्रोवाच विहिताञ्जलिः ॥ 20.8 ॥

dāśarājo'pi sampūjya vyāsaṁ prītipuraḥsaram svāgatenābhisatkṛtya provāca vihitāñjaliḥ

The chief of the fishermen too, having duly honored Vyasa with affection, having welcomed him with due greeting, spoke, with joined palms:

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.1.20.9)

दाशराज उवाच । अद्य मे सफलं जन्म पावितं नः कुलं मुने । देवानामपि दुर्दर्शं यज्जातं तव दर्शनम् ॥ 20.9 ॥

dāśarāja uvāca adya me saphalaṁ janma pāvitaṁ naḥ kulaṁ mune devānāmapi durdarśaṁ yajjātaṁ tava darśanam

The chief of the fishermen said: Today my birth is fruitful, our family purified, O sage, in that the sight of you, hard to obtain even for the gods, has come to be.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.1.20.10)

यदर्थमागतोऽसि त्वं तद्ब्रूहि द्विजसत्तम । अपि दारा धनं पुत्रास्त्वदायत्तमिदं विभो ॥ 20.10 ॥

yadarthamāgato'si tvaṁ tadbrūhi dvijasattama api dārā dhanaṁ putrāstvadāyattamidaṁ vibho

Tell me the purpose for which you have come, O best of the twice-born; is it a wife, wealth, sons? This is at your disposal, O mighty one.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.1.20.11)

सरस्वत्यास्तटे रम्ये चकाराश्रममण्डलम् । व्यासस्तपःसमायुक्तस्तत्रैवास समाहितः ॥ 20.11 ॥

sarasvatyāstaṭe ramye cakārāśramamaṇḍalam vyāsastapaḥsamāyuktastatraivāsa samāhitaḥ

On the lovely bank of the Sarasvati, Vyasa made a circle of hermitages, and, joined with austerity, remained there, composed.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.1.20.12)

सत्यवत्याः सुतौ जातौ शन्तनोरमितद्युतेः । मत्वा तौ भ्रातरौ व्यासः सुखमाप वने स्थितः ॥ 20.12 ॥

satyavatyāḥ sutau jātau śantanoramitadyuteḥ matvā tau bhrātarau vyāsaḥ sukhamāpa vane sthitaḥ

Two sons of Satyavati had been born to Shantanu of boundless splendor; knowing these two to be his brothers, Vyasa, dwelling in the forest, found happiness.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.1.20.13)

चित्राङ्गदः प्रथमजो रूपवाञ्छत्रुतापनः । बभूव नृपतेः पुत्रः सर्वलक्षणसंयुतः ॥ 20.13 ॥

citrāṅgadaḥ prathamajo rūpavāñchatrutāpanaḥ babhūva nṛpateḥ putraḥ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutaḥ

The first-born, Chitrangada, handsome, a scourge to his enemies, became the king's son, endowed with every auspicious mark.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.1.20.14)

विचित्रवीर्यनामासौ द्वितीयः समजायत । सोऽपि सर्वगुणोपेतः शन्तनोः सुखवर्धनः ॥ 20.14 ॥

vicitravīryanāmāsau dvitīyaḥ samajāyata so'pi sarvaguṇopetaḥ śantanoḥ sukhavardhanaḥ

The second, named Vichitravirya, was born; he too, endowed with every virtue, was the increaser of Shantanu's happiness.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.1.20.15)

गाङ्गेयः प्रथमस्तस्य महावीरो बलाधिकः । तथैव तौ सुतौ जातौ सत्यवत्यां महाबलौ ॥ 20.15 ॥

gāṅgeyaḥ prathamastasya mahāvīro balādhikaḥ tathaiva tau sutau jātau satyavatyāṁ mahābalau

His firstborn was Gangeya, a great hero, of surpassing strength; and likewise these two other sons, of great might, were born of Satyavati.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.1.20.16)

शन्तनुस्तान्सुतान्वीक्ष्य सर्वलक्षणसंयुतान् । अमंस्ताजय्यमात्मानं देवादीनां महामनाः ॥ 20.16 ॥

śantanustānsutānvīkṣya sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutān amaṁstājayyamātmānaṁ devādīnāṁ mahāmanāḥ

Shantanu, beholding these sons endowed with every mark, that great-minded one considered himself unconquerable, even by the gods.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.1.20.17)

अथ कालेन कियता शन्तनुः कालपर्ययात् । तत्याज देहं धर्मात्मा देही जीर्णमिवाम्बरम् ॥ 20.17 ॥

atha kālena kiyatā śantanuḥ kālaparyayāt tatyāja dehaṁ dharmātmā dehī jīrṇamivāmbaram

Then, after some time, through the working of time, the righteous-souled Shantanu, the embodied soul, cast off his body like a worn-out garment.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.1.20.18)

कालधर्मगते राज्ञि भीष्मश्चक्रे विधानतः । प्रेतकार्याणि सर्वाणि दानानि विविधानि च ॥ 20.18 ॥

kāladharmagate rājñi bhīṣmaścakre vidhānataḥ pretakāryāṇi sarvāṇi dānāni vividhāni ca

When the king had gone to the way of time, Bhishma duly performed all the funeral rites, and various acts of charity.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.1.20.19)

चित्राङ्गदं ततो राज्ये स्थापयामास वीर्यवान् । स्वयं न कृतवान् राज्यं तस्माद्देवव्रतोऽभवत् ॥ 20.19 ॥

citrāṅgadaṁ tato rājye sthāpayāmāsa vīryavān svayaṁ na kṛtavān rājyaṁ tasmāddevavrato'bhavat

That mighty one then established Chitrangada in the kingdom; he did not take the kingdom himself — for that reason he became known as Devavrata, true to his vow.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.1.20.20)

चित्राङ्गदस्तु वीर्येण प्रमत्तः परदुःखदः । बभूव बलवान्वीरः सत्यवत्यात्मजः शुचिः ॥ 20.20 ॥

citrāṅgadastu vīryeṇa pramattaḥ paraduḥkhadaḥ babhūva balavānvīraḥ satyavatyātmajaḥ śuciḥ

Chitrangada, however, intoxicated with his own valor, became a source of distress to others; he was mighty, heroic, the pure-souled son of Satyavati.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.1.20.21)

अथैकदा महाबाहुः सैन्येन महतावृतः । प्रचचार वनोद्देशात्पश्यन्वध्यान्मृगान् रुरून् ॥ 20.21 ॥

athaikadā mahābāhuḥ sainyena mahatāvṛtaḥ pracacāra vanoddeśātpaśyanvadhyānmṛgān rurūn

Once, that mighty-armed one, surrounded by a great army, wandered through a region of the forest, hunting the deer fit to be killed.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.1.20.22)

चित्राङ्गदस्तु गन्धर्वो दृष्ट्वा तं मार्गगं नृपम् । उत्ततारान्तिकं भूमेर्विमानवरमास्थितः ॥ 20.22 ॥

citrāṅgadastu gandharvo dṛṣṭvā taṁ mārgagaṁ nṛpam uttatārāntikaṁ bhūmervimānavaramāsthitaḥ

But a Gandharva, also named Chitrangada, seeing that king passing on the road, descended near the ground, mounted upon his excellent celestial chariot.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.1.20.23)

तत्राभूच्च महद्युद्धं तयोः सदृशवीर्ययोः । कुरुक्षेत्रे महास्थाने त्रीणि वर्षाणि तापसाः ॥ 20.23 ॥

tatrābhūcca mahadyuddhaṁ tayoḥ sadṛśavīryayoḥ kurukṣetre mahāsthāne trīṇi varṣāṇi tāpasāḥ

O ascetics, there took place a great battle between those two of equal valor, at Kurukshetra, that great place, for three years.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.1.20.24)

इन्द्रलोकमवापाशु गन्धर्वेण हतो रणे । भीष्मः श्रुत्वा चकाराशु तस्यौर्ध्वदैहिकं तदा ॥ 20.24 ॥

indralokamavāpāśu gandharveṇa hato raṇe bhīṣmaḥ śrutvā cakārāśu tasyaurdhvadaihikaṁ tadā

The king, slain in battle by the Gandharva, at once attained the world of Indra; Bhishma, hearing of this, then at once performed his funeral rites.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.1.20.25)

गाङ्गेयः कृतशोकस्तु मन्त्रिभिः परिवारितः । विचित्रवीर्यनामानं राज्येशं च चकार ह ॥ 20.25 ॥

gāṅgeyaḥ kṛtaśokastu mantribhiḥ parivāritaḥ vicitravīryanāmānaṁ rājyeśaṁ ca cakāra ha

Gangeya, having performed the rites of mourning, surrounded by his ministers, then made the one named Vichitravirya lord of the kingdom.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.1.20.26)

मन्त्रिभिर्बोधिता पश्चाद्गुरुभिश्च महात्मभिः । स्वपुत्रं राज्यगं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रशोकहतापि च ॥ 20.26 ॥

mantribhirbodhitā paścādgurubhiśca mahātmabhiḥ svaputraṁ rājyagaṁ dṛṣṭvā putraśokahatāpi ca

Comforted afterward by the ministers and by the great-souled elders, and seeing her remaining son now installed in the kingdom, though stricken with grief for her other son,

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.1.20.27)

सत्यवत्यतिसन्तुष्टा बभूव वरवर्णिनी । व्यासोऽपि भ्रातरं श्रुत्वा राजानं मुदितोऽभवत् ॥ 20.27 ॥

satyavatyatisantuṣṭā babhūva varavarṇinī vyāso'pi bhrātaraṁ śrutvā rājānaṁ mudito'bhavat

— Satyavati, that fair one, became greatly content; Vyasa too, hearing that his brother had become king, became joyful.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.1.20.28)

यौवनं परमं प्राप्तः सत्यवत्याः सुतः शुभः । चकार चिन्तां भीष्मोऽपि विवाहार्थं कनीयसः ॥ 20.28 ॥

yauvanaṁ paramaṁ prāptaḥ satyavatyāḥ sutaḥ śubhaḥ cakāra cintāṁ bhīṣmo'pi vivāhārthaṁ kanīyasaḥ

Satyavati's auspicious son, having attained the fullness of youth, prompted Bhishma too to consider the matter of a marriage for his younger brother.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.1.20.29)

काशिराजसुतास्तिस्रः सर्वलक्षणसंयुताः । तेन राज्ञा विवाहार्थं स्थापिताश्च स्वयंवरे ॥ 20.29 ॥

kāśirājasutāstisraḥ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutāḥ tena rājñā vivāhārthaṁ sthāpitāśca svayaṁvare

The three daughters of the King of Kashi, endowed with every auspicious mark, had been set by that king in a self-choice ceremony for the purpose of marriage.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.1.20.30)

राजानो राजपुत्राश्च समाहूताः सहस्रशः । इच्छास्वयंवरार्थं वै पूज्यमानाः समागताः ॥ 20.30 ॥

rājāno rājaputrāśca samāhūtāḥ sahasraśaḥ icchāsvayaṁvarārthaṁ vai pūjyamānāḥ samāgatāḥ

Kings and princes, invited by the thousands, honored guests all, gathered there for the purpose of the free-choice self-selection.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.1.20.31)

तत्र भीष्मो महातेजास्ता जहार बलेन वै । निर्मथ्य राजकं सर्वं रथेनैकेन वीर्यवान् ॥ 20.31 ॥

tatra bhīṣmo mahātejāstā jahāra balena vai nirmathya rājakaṁ sarvaṁ rathenaikena vīryavān

There, Bhishma, of great splendor, mighty, indeed carried off those three maidens by force, having overwhelmed the entire assembly of kings, alone, in a single chariot.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.1.20.32)

स जित्वा पार्थिवान्सर्वांस्ताश्चादाय महारथः । बाहुवीर्येण तेजस्वी ह्याससाद गजाह्वयम् ॥ 20.32 ॥

sa jitvā pārthivānsarvāṁstāścādāya mahārathaḥ bāhuvīryeṇa tejasvī hyāsasāda gajāhvayam

Having conquered all those kings, and taking those maidens with him, that great warrior, splendid through the might of his own arms, indeed reached the city named for the elephant.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.1.20.33)

मातृवद्भगिनीवच्च पुत्रीवच्चिन्तयन्किल । तिस्रः समानयामास कन्यका वामलोचनाः ॥ 20.33 ॥

mātṛvadbhaginīvacca putrīvaccintayankila tisraḥ samānayāmāsa kanyakā vāmalocanāḥ

Regarding them indeed as he would a mother, a sister, and a daughter, he brought those three fair-eyed maidens along.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.1.20.34)

सत्यवत्यै निवेद्याशु द्विजानाहूय सत्वरः । दैवज्ञान्वेदविदुषः पर्यपृच्छच्छुभं दिनम् ॥ 20.34 ॥

satyavatyai nivedyāśu dvijānāhūya satvaraḥ daivajñānvedaviduṣaḥ paryapṛcchacchubhaṁ dinam

Having promptly informed Satyavati, and quickly summoning the brahmins learned in astrology and the Veda, he inquired of them the auspicious day.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.1.20.35)

कृत्वा विवाहसम्भारं यदा वै भ्रातरं निजम् । विचित्रवीर्यं धर्मिष्ठं विवाहयति ता यदा ॥ 20.35 ॥

kṛtvā vivāhasambhāraṁ yadā vai bhrātaraṁ nijam vicitravīryaṁ dharmiṣṭhaṁ vivāhayati tā yadā

When the preparations for marriage had been made, and when he was about to give those maidens in marriage to his own righteous brother Vichitravirya,

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.1.20.36)

तदा ज्येष्ठाप्युवाचेदं कन्यका जाह्नवीसुतम् । लज्जमानासितापाङ्गी तिसॄणां चारुलोचना ॥ 20.36 ॥

tadā jyeṣṭhāpyuvācedaṁ kanyakā jāhnavīsutam lajjamānāsitāpāṅgī tisṝṇāṁ cārulocanā

— then the eldest of the three, dark-eyed, of lovely glance, ashamed, spoke this to the son of the Ganga:

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.1.20.37)

गङ्गापुत्र कुरुश्रेष्ठ धर्मज्ञ कुलदीपक । मया स्वयंवरे शाल्वो वृतोऽस्ति मनसा नृपः ॥ 20.37 ॥

gaṅgāputra kuruśreṣṭha dharmajña kuladīpaka mayā svayaṁvare śālvo vṛto'sti manasā nṛpaḥ

'O son of Ganga, best of the Kurus, knower of dharma, light of your lineage — King Shalva has already been chosen by me in my heart, at the self-choice ceremony.'

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.1.20.38)

वृताहं तेन राज्ञा वै चित्ते प्रेमसमाकुले । यथायोग्यं कुरुष्वाद्य कुलस्यास्य परन्तप ॥ 20.38 ॥

vṛtāhaṁ tena rājñā vai citte premasamākule yathāyogyaṁ kuruṣvādya kulasyāsya parantapa

'I have already chosen that king, indeed, in my heart, filled with love; do now, O scorcher of foes, whatever is proper for this family.'

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.1.20.39)

तेनाहं वृतपूर्वाऽस्मि त्वं च धर्मभृतां वरः । बलवानसि गाङ्गेय यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥ 20.39 ॥

tenāhaṁ vṛtapūrvā'smi tvaṁ ca dharmabhṛtāṁ varaḥ balavānasi gāṅgeya yathecchasi tathā kuru

'I have already been chosen by him before; and you are the foremost of those who uphold dharma; you are mighty, O son of Ganga — do as you please.'

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.1.20.40)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्तस्तया तत्र कन्यया कुरुनन्दनः । अपृच्छत् ब्राह्मणान्वृद्धान्मातरं सचिवांस्तथा ॥ 20.40 ॥

sūta uvāca evamuktastayā tatra kanyayā kurunandanaḥ apṛcchat brāhmaṇānvṛddhānmātaraṁ sacivāṁstathā

Suta said: Thus addressed there by that maiden, the joy of the Kuru line consulted the brahmins, the elders, his mother, and likewise the ministers.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.1.20.41)

सर्वेषां मतमाज्ञाय गाङ्गेयो धर्मवित्तमः । गच्छेति कन्यकां प्राह यथारुचि वरानने ॥ 20.41 ॥

sarveṣāṁ matamājñāya gāṅgeyo dharmavittamaḥ gaccheti kanyakāṁ prāha yathāruci varānane

Having learned the opinion of all, Gangeya, most learned in dharma, said to the maiden: 'Go, O fair-faced one, as you please.'

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.1.20.42)

विसर्जिताथ सा तेन गता शाल्वनिकेतनम् । उवाच तं वरारोहा राजानं मनसेप्सितम् ॥ 20.42 ॥

visarjitātha sā tena gatā śālvaniketanam uvāca taṁ varārohā rājānaṁ manasepsitam

Dismissed by him, she then went to Shalva's abode; that fair woman spoke to that king, desired in her heart:

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.1.20.43)

विनिर्मुक्तास्मि भीष्मेण त्वन्मनस्केति धर्मतः । आगतास्मि महाराज गृहाणाद्य करं मम ॥ 20.43 ॥

vinirmuktāsmi bhīṣmeṇa tvanmanasketi dharmataḥ āgatāsmi mahārāja gṛhāṇādya karaṁ mama

'I have been released by Bhishma, since my heart was fixed on you, by rightful dharma; I have come, O great king — take my hand today.'

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.1.20.44)

धर्मपत्नी तवात्यन्तं भवामि नृपसत्तम । चिन्तितोऽसि मया पूर्वं त्वयाहं नात्र संशयः ॥ 20.44 ॥

dharmapatnī tavātyantaṁ bhavāmi nṛpasattama cintito'si mayā pūrvaṁ tvayāhaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

'I shall become your true, lawful wife wholly, O best of kings; you were chosen by me before — there is no doubt of this.'

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.1.20.45)

शाल्व उवाच । गृहीता त्वं वरारोहे भीष्मेण पश्यतो मम । रथे संस्थापिता तेन न ग्रहीष्ये करं तव ॥ 20.45 ॥

śālva uvāca gṛhītā tvaṁ varārohe bhīṣmeṇa paśyato mama rathe saṁsthāpitā tena na grahīṣye karaṁ tava

Shalva said: You were taken, O fair one, by Bhishma, before my very eyes; set upon his chariot by him — I shall not take your hand.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.1.20.46)

परोच्छिष्टां च कः कन्यां गृह्णाति मतिमान्नरः । अतोऽहं न ग्रहीष्यामि त्यक्तां भीष्मेण मातृवत् ॥ 20.46 ॥

parocchiṣṭāṁ ca kaḥ kanyāṁ gṛhṇāti matimānnaraḥ ato'haṁ na grahīṣyāmi tyaktāṁ bhīṣmeṇa mātṛvat

What sensible man takes as wife a maiden already touched by another? Therefore I shall not take you, who were treated by Bhishma as a mother, let go, unwed.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.1.20.47)

रुदती विलपन्ती सा त्यक्ता तेन महात्मना । पुनर्भीष्मं समागत्य रुदती चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ 20.47 ॥

rudatī vilapantī sā tyaktā tena mahātmanā punarbhīṣmaṁ samāgatya rudatī cedamabravīt

Weeping and lamenting, abandoned by that great soul, she came again to Bhishma, and, weeping, said this:

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.1.20.48)

शाल्वो मुक्तां त्वया वीर न गृह्णाति गृहाण माम् । धर्मज्ञोऽसि महाभाग मरिष्याम्यन्यथा ह्यहम् ॥ 20.48 ॥

śālvo muktāṁ tvayā vīra na gṛhṇāti gṛhāṇa mām dharmajño'si mahābhāga mariṣyāmyanyathā hyaham

'O hero, Shalva will not accept me, released by you — take me yourself; you are a knower of dharma, O greatly fortunate one; otherwise I shall indeed die.'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.1.20.49)

भीष्म उवाच । अन्यचित्तां कथं त्वां वै गृह्णामि वरवर्णिनि । पितरं स्वं वरारोहे व्रज शीघ्नं निराकुला ॥ 20.49 ॥

bhīṣma uvāca anyacittāṁ kathaṁ tvāṁ vai gṛhṇāmi varavarṇini pitaraṁ svaṁ varārohe vraja śīghnaṁ nirākulā

Bhishma said: How could I take you, whose heart is fixed on another, O fair one? Go to your own father, O fair-limbed one, quickly, and without further distress.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.1.20.50)

तथोक्ता सा तु भीष्मेण जगाम वनमेव हि । तपश्चकार विजने तीर्थे परमपावने ॥ 20.50 ॥

tathoktā sā tu bhīṣmeṇa jagāma vanameva hi tapaścakāra vijane tīrthe paramapāvane

Thus told by Bhishma, she went indeed to the forest; she performed austerity in a lonely, most sacred place of pilgrimage.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.1.20.51)

द्वे भार्ये चातिरूपाढ्ये तस्य राज्ञो बभूवतुः । अम्बालिका चाम्बिका च काशिराजसुते शुभे ॥ 20.51 ॥

dve bhārye cātirūpāḍhye tasya rājño babhūvatuḥ ambālikā cāmbikā ca kāśirājasute śubhe

Two wives, richly endowed with beauty, became that king's — Ambalika and Ambika, the two auspicious daughters of the King of Kashi.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.1.20.52)

राजा विचित्रवीर्योऽसौ ताभ्यां सह महाबलः । रेमे नानाविहारैश्च गृहे चोपवने तथा ॥ 20.52 ॥

rājā vicitravīryo'sau tābhyāṁ saha mahābalaḥ reme nānāvihāraiśca gṛhe copavane tathā

That mighty King Vichitravirya sported with them in various pastimes, in the palace and likewise in the pleasure-gardens.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.1.20.53)

वर्षाणि नव राजेन्द्रः कुर्वन् क्रीडा मनोरमाम् । प्रापासौ मरणं भूयो गृहीतो राजयक्ष्मणा ॥ 20.53 ॥

varṣāṇi nava rājendraḥ kurvan krīḍā manoramām prāpāsau maraṇaṁ bhūyo gṛhīto rājayakṣmaṇā

For nine years, that king of kings, engaged in delightful sport, then met his death, seized by consumption.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.1.20.54)

मृते पुत्रेऽतिदुःखार्ता जाता सत्यवती तदा । कारयामास पुत्रस्य प्रेतकार्याणि मन्त्रिभिः ॥ 20.54 ॥

mṛte putre'tiduḥkhārtā jātā satyavatī tadā kārayāmāsa putrasya pretakāryāṇi mantribhiḥ

When her son died, Satyavati became overwhelmed with the greatest sorrow; she had the funeral rites for her son performed by the ministers.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.1.20.55)

भीष्ममाह तदैकान्ते वचनं चातिदुःखिता । राज्यं कुरु महाभाग पितुस्ते शन्तनोः सुत ॥ 20.55 ॥

bhīṣmamāha tadaikānte vacanaṁ cātiduḥkhitā rājyaṁ kuru mahābhāga pituste śantanoḥ suta

She then, in private, exceedingly sorrowful, spoke this word to Bhishma: 'Rule the kingdom, O greatly fortunate one, son of your father Shantanu.'

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.1.20.56)

भ्रातुर्भार्यां गृहाण त्वं वंशञ्च परिरक्षय । यथा न नाशमायाति ययातेर्वंश इत्युत ॥ 20.56 ॥

bhrāturbhāryāṁ gṛhāṇa tvaṁ vaṁśañca parirakṣaya yathā na nāśamāyāti yayātervaṁśa ityuta

'Take your brother's wife, and preserve the lineage, so that the line of Yayati does not come to ruin' — thus she spoke.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.1.20.57)

भीष्म उवाच । प्रतिज्ञा मे श्रुता मातः पित्रर्थे या मया कृता । नाहं राज्यं करिष्यामि न चाहं दारसङ्ग्रहम् ॥ 20.57 ॥

bhīṣma uvāca pratijñā me śrutā mātaḥ pitrarthe yā mayā kṛtā nāhaṁ rājyaṁ kariṣyāmi na cāhaṁ dārasaṅgraham

Bhishma said: You have heard, mother, the vow which I made for my father's sake; I shall not take the kingdom, nor shall I take a wife.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.1.20.58)

सूत उवाच । तदा चिन्तातुरा जाता कथं वंशो भवेदिति । नालसाद्धि सुखं मह्यं समुत्पन्ने ह्यराजके ॥ 20.58 ॥

sūta uvāca tadā cintāturā jātā kathaṁ vaṁśo bhavediti nālasāddhi sukhaṁ mahyaṁ samutpanne hyarājake

Suta said: Then she became anxious: 'How will the lineage continue?' There was indeed no happiness for her, remaining idle, when a kingless state had arisen.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.1.20.59)

गाङ्गेयस्तामुवाचेदं मा चिन्तां कुरु भामिनि । पुत्रं विचित्रवीर्यस्य क्षेत्रजं चोपपादय ॥ 20.59 ॥

gāṅgeyastāmuvācedaṁ mā cintāṁ kuru bhāmini putraṁ vicitravīryasya kṣetrajaṁ copapādaya

Gangeya said this to her: 'Do not be anxious, O lady; produce a son for Vichitravirya, born of the field.'

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.1.20.60)

कुलीनं द्विजमाहूय वध्वा सह नियोजय । नात्र दोषोऽस्ति वेदेऽपि कुलरक्षाविधौ किल ॥ 20.60 ॥

kulīnaṁ dvijamāhūya vadhvā saha niyojaya nātra doṣo'sti vede'pi kularakṣāvidhau kila

'Summon a brahmin of good family, and unite him with your daughter-in-law; there is indeed no fault in this, even in the Veda, in the rule for protecting a lineage.'

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.1.20.61)

पौत्रं चैवं समुत्पाद्य राज्यं देहि शुचिस्मिते । अहं च पालयिष्यामि तस्य शासनमेव हि ॥ 20.61 ॥

pautraṁ caivaṁ samutpādya rājyaṁ dehi śucismite ahaṁ ca pālayiṣyāmi tasya śāsanameva hi

'Having thus produced a grandson, give him the kingdom, O pure-smiling one; and I myself shall uphold his rule indeed.'

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.1.20.62)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य कानीनं स्वसुतं मुनिम् । जगाम मनसा व्यासं द्वैपायनमकल्मषम् ॥ 20.62 ॥

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya kānīnaṁ svasutaṁ munim jagāma manasā vyāsaṁ dvaipāyanamakalmaṣam

Hearing his words, she thought in her mind of her own son, born before marriage, the sage Vyasa Dvaipayana, stainless.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.1.20.63)

स्मृतमात्रस्ततो व्यास आजगाम स तापसः । कृत्वा प्रणामं मात्रेऽथ संस्थितो दीप्तिमान्मुनिः ॥ 20.63 ॥

smṛtamātrastato vyāsa ājagāma sa tāpasaḥ kṛtvā praṇāmaṁ mātre'tha saṁsthito dīptimānmuniḥ

The moment he was remembered, that ascetic Vyasa arrived; having bowed to his mother, that radiant sage stood there.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.1.20.64)

भीष्मेण पूजितः कामं सत्यवत्या च मानितः । तस्थौ तत्र महातेजा विधूमोऽग्निरिवापरः ॥ 20.64 ॥

bhīṣmeṇa pūjitaḥ kāmaṁ satyavatyā ca mānitaḥ tasthau tatra mahātejā vidhūmo'gnirivāparaḥ

Duly honored by Bhishma, and revered by Satyavati, that greatly splendid one stood there, like a second smokeless fire.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.1.20.65)

तमुवाच मुनिं माता पुत्रमुत्पादयाधुना । क्षेत्रे विचित्रवीर्यस्य सुन्दरं तव वीर्यजम् ॥ 20.65 ॥

tamuvāca muniṁ mātā putramutpādayādhunā kṣetre vicitravīryasya sundaraṁ tava vīryajam

His mother said to that sage: 'Beget now, in the field of Vichitravirya, a handsome son of your own seed.'

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.1.20.66)

व्यासः श्रुत्वा वचो मातुराप्तवाक्यममन्यत । ओमित्युक्त्वा स्थितस्तत्र ऋतुकालमचिन्तयत् ॥ 20.66 ॥

vyāsaḥ śrutvā vaco māturāptavākyamamanyata omityuktvā sthitastatra ṛtukālamacintayat

Vyasa, hearing his mother's word, regarded it as a trustworthy command; having said 'Om,' he remained there, waiting for the fertile season.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.1.20.67)

अम्बिका च यदा स्नाता नारी ऋतुमती तदा । सङ्गं प्राप्य मुनेः पुत्रमसूतान्धं महाबलम् ॥ 20.67 ॥

ambikā ca yadā snātā nārī ṛtumatī tadā saṅgaṁ prāpya muneḥ putramasūtāndhaṁ mahābalam

And when Ambika, having bathed, that woman had come into her season, having union with the sage, she bore a son, blind, yet of great strength.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.1.20.68)

जन्मान्धं च सुतं वीक्ष्य दुःखिता सत्यवत्यपि । द्वितीयां च वधूमाह पुत्रमुत्पादयाशु वै ॥ 20.68 ॥

janmāndhaṁ ca sutaṁ vīkṣya duḥkhitā satyavatyapi dvitīyāṁ ca vadhūmāha putramutpādayāśu vai

Seeing her son born blind, Satyavati too became sorrowful, and said to the second daughter-in-law: 'Bear a son at once, indeed.'

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.1.20.69)

ऋतुकालेऽथ सम्प्राप्ते व्यासेन सह सङ्गता । तथा चाम्बालिका रात्रौ गर्भं नारी दधार सा ॥ 20.69 ॥

ṛtukāle'tha samprāpte vyāsena saha saṅgatā tathā cāmbālikā rātrau garbhaṁ nārī dadhāra sā

When the fertile season had come again, having union with Vyasa, Ambalika too, that woman, conceived a child that night.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.1.20.70)

सोऽपि पाण्डुः सुतो जातो राज्ययोग्यो न सम्मतः । पुत्रार्थे प्रेरयामास वर्षान्ते च पुनर्वधूम् ॥ 20.70 ॥

so'pi pāṇḍuḥ suto jāto rājyayogyo na sammataḥ putrārthe prerayāmāsa varṣānte ca punarvadhūm

That son too was born pale, not deemed fit for the kingdom; at the end of the year, she again urged the daughter-in-law, for the sake of a further, more capable son.

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.1.20.71)

आहूय च ततो व्यासं सम्प्रार्थ्य मुनिसत्तमम् । प्रेषयामास रात्रौ सा शयनागारमुत्तमम् ॥ 20.71 ॥

āhūya ca tato vyāsaṁ samprārthya munisattamam preṣayāmāsa rātrau sā śayanāgāramuttamam

Having summoned Vyasa and duly entreated that best of sages, she sent him at night to the excellent bed-chamber.

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.1.20.72)

न गता च वधूस्तत्र प्रेष्या सम्प्रेषिता तया । तस्यां च विदुरो जातो दास्यां धर्मांशतः शुभः ॥ 20.72 ॥

na gatā ca vadhūstatra preṣyā sampreṣitā tayā tasyāṁ ca viduro jāto dāsyāṁ dharmāṁśataḥ śubhaḥ

But the daughter-in-law did not go there; a maidservant was sent by her instead; and from her, the maidservant, the auspicious Vidura was born, by a portion of Dharma himself.

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.1.20.73)

एवं व्यासेन ते पुत्रा धृतराष्ट्रादयस्त्रयः । उत्पादिता महावीरा वंशरक्षणहेतवे ॥ 20.73 ॥

evaṁ vyāsena te putrā dhṛtarāṣṭrādayastrayaḥ utpāditā mahāvīrā vaṁśarakṣaṇahetave

Thus were those three sons — Dhritarashtra and the others — begotten by Vyasa, great heroes, for the sake of preserving the lineage.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.1.20.74)

एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं तस्य वंशसमुद्भवम् । व्यासेन रक्षितो वंशो भ्रातृधर्मविदानघाः ॥ 20.74 ॥

etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ tasya vaṁśasamudbhavam vyāsena rakṣito vaṁśo bhrātṛdharmavidānaghāḥ

All of this, the origin of that lineage, has been told to you, O sinless ones knowing the duty of a brother; the lineage was preserved by Vyasa.