ādiparva - Chapter-7

 

आदिपर्व - ādiparva

अध्यायः – 7  ::Chapter-7 

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच। रममाणस्तया सार्धं यथाकामं नरेश्वरः॥ अष्टावजनयत्पुत्रांस्तस्मादमरसन्निभान्॥ 1 जातं जातं च सा पुत्रं क्षिपत्यम्यसि भारत। प्रीणाम्यहं त्वामित्युक्त्वा गङ्गास्रोतस्यमज्जयत्।2 तस्य तन्न प्रियं राज्ञः शान्तनोरभवत्तदा॥ न च तां किंचनोवाच त्यागाद्भीतो महीपतिः।3 अथैनामष्टमे पुत्रे जाते प्रहसतीमिव। उवाच राजा दुःखार्तः परीप्सन्पुत्रमात्मनः॥ 4 मावधीः कस्य काऽसीति किं हिनत्सि सुतानिति। पुत्रघ्नि सुमहत्पापं संप्राप्तं ते सुगर्हितम्॥ 5 गङ्गोवाच। पुत्रकाम न ते हन्मि पुत्रं पुत्रवतां वर। जीर्णस्तु मम वासोऽयं यथा स समयः कृतः॥ 6 अहं गङ्गा जह्नुसुता महर्षिगणसेविता। देवकार्यार्थसिद्ध्यर्थमुषिताऽहं त्वया सह॥ 7 इमेऽष्टौ वसवो देवा महाभागा महौजसः। वसिष्ठशापदोषेण मानुषत्वमुपागताः॥ 8 तेषां जनयिता नान्यस्त्वदृते भुवि विद्यते। मद्विधा मानुषी धात्री लोके नास्तीह काचन॥ 9 तस्मात्तज्जननीहेतोर्मानुषत्वमुपागता। जनयित्वा वसूनष्टौ जिता लोकास्त्वयाऽक्षयाः॥ 10 देवानां समयस्त्वेष वसूनां संश्रुतो मया। जातं जातं मोक्षयिष्ये जन्मतो मानुषादिति॥ 11 तत्ते शापाद्विनिर्मुक्ता आपवस्य महात्मनः। स्वस्ति तेस्तु गमिष्यामि पुत्रं पाहि महाव्रतम्॥ 12 एष पर्यायवासो मे वसूनां सन्निधौ कृतः। मत्प्रसूतिं विजानीहि गङ्गादत्तमिमं सुतम्॥ ॥ 13	13 (365)
While the king enjoyed life with his wife, they welcomed eight beautiful children, each like celestial beings. But, O Bharata, one by one, as soon as they were born, Ganga, the river, took them and said, 'This is for your own good.' The children sank and were lost forever. The king was deeply troubled by this, but said nothing, fearing his wife might leave him.  However, when their eighth child was born and his wife prepared to toss it into the river with a smile, the king, filled with sorrow and intent on saving the child, pleaded with her, saying, 'Do not kill it! Who are you and who do you belong to? Why do you take the lives of your own children? You are a murderess, and your sins will weigh heavily on you!'  His wife replied, 'Oh, you who long for children, you have already become a father. I will not destroy this child, but as per our agreement, my time with you is over. I am Ganga, daughter of Jahnu. I have lived with you to fulfill the purposes of the celestial beings.'  The eight noble Vasus, filled with great energy, had to take on human forms due to Vasishtha's curse. On this earth, you are the only one worthy of being their father. There is no other woman here, except for me—a celestial being in human form—who can be their mother. I took on a human shape to give them life.  You, having become the father of the eight Vasus, have also gained many realms of everlasting bliss. It was agreed upon between me and the Vasus that I would release them from their human forms as soon as they were born. Thus, I have freed them from the curse of the sage Apava. Blessed be you; I now depart, O king! Raise this child with firm commitments. My promise to the Vasus was to stay with you for a time. And let this child be named Gangadatta."
वैशम्पायन उवाच। स समाः षोडशाष्टौ च चतस्रोऽष्टौ तथाऽपराः। रतिमप्राप्नुवन्स्त्रीषु बभूव वनगोचरः॥ 1 स कदाचिन्मृगं विद्ध्वा गङ्गामनुसरन्नदीम्। भागीरथीमल्पजलां शान्तनुर्दृष्टवान्नृपः॥ 2 तां दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयामास शान्तनुः पुरुषर्षभः। स्यन्दते किं न्वियं नाद्य सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा यथा पुरा॥ 3 ततो निमित्तमन्विच्छन्ददर्श स महामनाः। कुमारं रूपसंपन्नं बृहन्तं चारुदर्शनम्॥ 4 दिव्यमस्त्रं विकुर्वाणं यथा देवं पुरन्दरम्। कृत्स्नां गङ्गां समावृत्य शरैस्तीक्ष्णैरवस्थितम्॥ 5 तां शरैराचितां दृष्ट्वा नदीं गङ्गां तदन्तिके। अभवद्विस्मितो राजा दृष्ट्वा कर्मातिमानुषम्॥ 6 जातमात्रं पुरा दृष्टं तं पुत्रं शान्तनुस्तदा। नोपलेभे स्मृतिं धीमानभिज्ञातुं तमात्मजम्॥ 7 स तु तं पितरं दृष्ट्वा मोहयामास मायया। संमोह्य तु ततः क्षिप्रं तत्रैवान्तरधीयत॥ 8 तदद्बुतं ततो दृष्ट्वा तत्र राजा स शान्तनुः। सङ्कमानः सुतं गङ्गामब्रवीद्दर्शयेति ह॥ 9 दर्शयामास तं गङ्गा बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम्। गृहीत्वा दक्षिणे पाणौ तं कुमारमलङ्कृतम्॥ 10 अलङ्कृतामाभरणैर्विरजोम्बरधारिणीम्। दृष्टपूर्वामपि स तां नाभ्यजानात्स शान्तनुः॥ 11 गङ्गोवाच। यं पुत्रमष्टमं राजंस्त्वं पुरा मय्यविन्दथाः। स चायं पुरुषव्याघ्र सर्वास्त्रविदनुत्तमः॥ 12 गृहाणेमं महाराज मया संवर्धितं सुतम्। आदाय पुरुषव्याघ्र नयस्वैनं गृहं विभो॥ 13 वेदानधिजगे साङ्गान्वसिष्ठादेष वीर्यवान्। कृतास्त्रः परमेष्वासो देवराजसमो युधि॥ 14 सुराणां संमतो नित्यमसुराणां च भारत। उशा वेद यच्छास्त्रमयं तद्वेद सर्वशः॥ 15 तथैवाङ्गिरसः पुत्रः सुरसुरनमस्कृतः। यद्वेद शास्त्रं तच्चापि कृत्स्नमस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम्॥ 16 तव पुत्रे महाबाहौ साङ्गोपाङ्गं महात्मनि। ऋषिः परैरनाधृष्यो जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान्॥ 17 यदस्त्रं वेद राभश्च तदेतस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम्। महेष्वासमिमं राजन्राजधर्मार्थकोविदम्॥ 18 मया दत्तं निजं पुत्रं वीरं वीर गृहं नय। वैशम्पायन उवाच। तयैवं समनुज्ञातः पुत्रमादाय शान्तनुः॥ 19 भ्राजमानं यथाऽदित्यमाययौ स्वपुरं प्रति। पौरवस्तु पुरीं गत्वा पुरन्दरपुरोपमाम्॥ 20 सर्वकामसमृद्धार्थं मेने सोत्मानमात्मना। पौरवेषु ततः पुत्रं राज्यार्थमभयप्रदम्॥ 21 गुणवन्तं महात्मानं यौवराज्येऽभ्यषेचयत्। पौरवाञ्शान्तनोः पुत्रः पितरं च महायशाः॥ 22 राष्ट्रं च रञ्जयामास वृत्तेन भरतर्षभ। स तथा सह पुत्रेण रममाणो महीपतिः॥ 23 वर्तयामास वर्षाणि चत्वार्यमितविक्रमः। स कदाचिद्वनं यातो यमुनामभितो नदीम्॥ 24 महीपतिरनिर्देश्यमाजिघ्रद्गन्धमुत्तमम्। तस्य प्रभवमन्विच्छन्विचचार समन्ततः॥ 25 स ददर्श तदा कन्यां दाशानां देवरूपिणीम्। तामपृच्छत्स दृष्ट्वैव कन्यामसितलोचनाम्॥ 26 कस्य त्वमसि का चासि किं च भीरु चिकीर्षसि। साऽब्रवीद्दाशकन्याऽस्मि धर्मार्थं वाहये तरिम्॥ 27 पितुर्नियोगाद्भद्रं ते दाशराज्ञो महात्मनः। रूपमाधुर्यगन्धैस्तां संयुक्तां देवरूपिणीम्॥ 28 समीक्ष्य राजा दाशेयीं कामयामास शान्तनुः। स गत्वा पितरं तस्या वरयामास तां तदा॥ 29 पर्यपृच्छत्ततस्तस्याः पितरं सोत्मकारणात्। स च तं प्रत्युवाचेदं दाशराजो महीपतिम्॥ 30 जातमात्रैव मे देया वराय वरवर्णिनी। हृदि कामस्तु मे कश्चित्तं निबोध जनेश्वर॥ 31 यदीमां धर्मपत्नीं त्वं मत्तः प्रार्थयसेऽनघ। सत्यवागसि सत्येन समयं कुरु मे ततः॥ 32 समयेन प्रदद्यां ते कन्यामहमिमां नृप। न हि मे त्वत्समः कश्चिद्वरो जातु भविष्यति॥ 33 शान्तनुरुवाच। श्रुत्वा तव वरं दाश व्यवस्येयमहं तव। दातव्यं चेत्प्रदास्यामि न त्वदेयं कथंचन॥ 34 दाश उवाच। अस्यां जायेत यः पुत्रः स राजा पृथिवीपते। त्वदूर्ध्वमभिषेक्तव्यो नान्यः कश्चन पार्थिव॥ 35 वैशम्पायन उवाच। नाकामयत तं दातुं वरं दाशाय शान्तनुः। शरीरजेन तीव्रेण दह्यमानोऽपि भारत॥ 36 स चिन्तयन्नेव तदा दाशकन्यां महीपतिः। प्रत्ययाद्धास्तिनपुरं कामोपहतचेतनः॥ 37 ततः कदाचिच्छोचन्तं शान्तनुं ध्यानमास्थितम्। पुत्रो देवव्रतोऽभ्येत्य पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ 38 सर्वतो भवतः क्षेमं विधेयाः सर्वपार्थिवाः। तत्किमर्थमिहाभीक्ष्णं परिशोचसि दुःखितः॥ 39 ध्यायन्निव च मां राजन्नाभिभाषसि किंचन। न चाश्वेन विनिर्यासि विवर्णो हरिणः कृशः॥ 40 व्याधिमिच्छामि ते ज्ञातुं प्रतिकुर्यां हि तत्र वै। `वैशम्पायन उवाच। स तं काममवाच्यं वै दाशकन्यां प्रतीदृशम्॥ 41 विवर्तुं नाशकत्तस्मै पिता पुत्रस्य शान्तनुः।' एवमुक्तः स पुत्रेण शान्तनुः प्रत्यभाषत॥ 42 असंशयं ध्यानपरो यथा वत्स तथा शृणु। अपत्यं नस्त्वमेवैकः कुले महति भारत॥ 43 शस्त्रनित्यश्च सततं पौरुषे पर्यवस्थितः। अनित्यतां च लोकानामनुशोचामि पुत्रक॥ 44 कथंचित्तव गाङ्गेय विपत्तौ नास्ति नः कुलम्। असंशयं त्वमेवैकः शतादपि वरः सुतः॥ 45 न चाप्यहं वृथा भूयो दारान्कर्तुमिहोत्सहे। संतानस्याविनाशाय कामये भद्रमस्तु ते॥ 46 अनपत्यतैकपुत्रत्वमित्याहुर्धर्मवादिनः। अग्निहोत्रं त्रयी विद्या यज्ञाश्च सहदक्षिणाः। सर्वाण्येतान्यपत्यस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम्॥ 47 एवमेतन्मनुष्येषु तच्च सर्वं प्रजास्विति।48 यदपत्यं महाप्राज्ञ तत्र मे नास्ति संशयः॥ एषा त्रयी पुराणानां देवतानां च शाश्वती॥ 49 त्वं च शूरः सदाऽमर्षी शस्त्रनित्यश्च भारत। नान्यत्र युद्धात्तस्मात्ते निधनं विद्यते क्वचित्॥ 50 सोऽस्मि संशयमापन्नस्त्वयि शान्ते कथं भवेत्। इति ते कारणं तात दुःखस्योक्तमशेषतः॥ 51 वैशम्पायन उवाच। ततस्तत्कारणं राज्ञो ज्ञात्वा सर्वमशेषतः। देवव्रतो महाबुद्धिः प्रज्ञया चान्वचिन्तयत्॥ 52 अपत्यफलसंयुक्तमेतच्छ्रुत्वा पितुर्वचः। वैशम्पायन उवाच। ततः स पितुराज्ञाय मतं सम्यगवेक्ष्य च। ज्ञात्वा च मानसं पुत्रः प्रययौ यमुनां प्रति॥ 53 क्षत्रियैः सह धर्मात्मा पुराणैर्धर्मचारिभिः। उच्चैश्श्रवसमागम्य कन्यां वव्रे पितुः स्वयम्'॥ 54 तं दाशः प्रतिजग्राह विधिवत्प्रतिपूज्य च। अब्रवीच्चैनमासीनं राजसंसदि भारत॥ 55 त्वमेवात्र महाबाहो शान्तनोर्वंशवर्धनः। पुत्रः शस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठः किं नु वक्ष्यामि ते वचः॥ 56 कोहि संबन्धखं श्लाघ्यमीप्सितं यौनमीदृशम्। अतिक्रामन्न तप्येत साक्षादपि शतक्रतुः॥ 57 अपत्यं चैतदार्यस्य यो युष्माकं समो गुणैः। यस्य शुक्रात्सत्यवती संभूता वरवर्णिनी॥ 58 तेन मे बहुशस्तात पिता ते परिकीर्तितः। अर्हः सत्यवतीं वोढुं धर्मज्ञः स नराधिपः॥ 59 `इयं सत्यवती देवी पितरं तेऽब्रवीत्तथा। अर्थितश्चापिराजर्षिः प्रत्याख्यातः पुरा मया'॥ 60 कन्यापितृत्वात्किंचित्तु वक्ष्यामि त्वां नराधिप। बलवत्सपत्नतामत्र दोषं पश्यामि केवलम्॥ 61 यस्य हि त्वं सपत्नः स्या गन्धर्वस्यासुरस्य वा॥ 62 न स जातु चिरं जीवेत्त्वयि क्रुद्धे परन्तप। एतावानत्र दोषो हि नान्यः कश्चन पार्थिव॥ 63 एतज्जानीहि भद्रं ते दानादाने परन्तप॥ 64 वैशम्पायन उवाच। एवमुक्तस्तु गाङ्गेयस्तद्युक्तं प्रत्यभाषत। शृण्वतां भूमिपालानां पितुरर्थाय भारत॥ 65 `इदं वचनमाधत्स्व नास्ति वक्तास्य मत्समः। अन्यो जातो न जनिता न च कश्चन संप्रति'॥ 66 एवमेतत्करिष्यामि यथा त्वमनुभाषसे। योऽस्यां जनिष्यते पुत्रः स नो राजा भविष्यति॥ 67 इत्युक्तः पुनरेव स्म तं दाशः प्रत्यभाषत। चिकीर्षुर्दुष्करं कर्म राज्यार्थे भरतर्षभ॥ 68 त्वमेव नाथः संप्राप्तः शान्तनोरमितद्युते। कन्यायाश्चैव धर्मात्मन्प्रभुर्दानाय चेश्वरः॥ 69 इदं तु वचनं सौम्य कार्यं चैव निबोध मे। कौमारिकाणां शीलेन वक्ष्याम्यहमरिन्दम॥ 70 यत्त्वया सत्यवत्यर्थे सत्यधर्मपरायण। राजमध्ये प्रतिज्ञातमनुरूपं तवैव तत्॥ 71 नान्यथा तन्महाबाहो संशयोऽत्र न कश्चन। तवापत्यं भवेद्यत्तु तत्र नः संशयो महान्॥ 72 वैशम्पायन उवाच। तस्यैतन्मतमाज्ञाय सत्यधर्मपरायणः। प्रत्यजानात्तदा राजन्पितुः प्रियचिकीर्षया॥ 73 गाङ्गेय उवाच। `उच्चैश्श्रवः समाधत्स्व प्रतिज्ञां जनसंसदि। ऋषयो वाथ वा देवा भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च॥ 74 यानि यानीह शृण्वन्तु नास्ति वक्तास्य मत्समः।' दाशराज निबोधेदं वचनं मे नृपोत्तम॥ 75 शृण्वतां भूमिपालानां यद्ब्रवीमि पितुः कृते। राज्यं तावत्पूर्वमेव मया त्यक्तं नराधिपाः॥ 76 अपत्यहेतोरपि च करिष्येऽद्य विनिश्चयम्। अद्यप्रभृति मे दाश ब्रह्मचर्यं भविष्यति॥ 77 अपुत्रस्यापि मे लोका भविष्यन्त्यक्षया दिवि। वैशम्पायन उवाच। तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः। ददानीत्येव तं दाशो धर्मात्मा प्रत्यभाषत॥ 78 ततोन्तरिक्षेऽप्सरसो देवाः सर्षिगणास्तदा। अभ्यवर्षन्त कुसुमैर्भीष्मोऽयमिति चाब्रुवन्।79 ततः स पितुरर्थाय तामुवाच यशस्विनीम्॥ 80 अधिरोह रथं मातर्गच्छावः स्वगृहानिति। एवमुक्त्वा तु भीष्मस्तां रथमारोप्य भामिनीं॥ 71 आगम्य हास्तिनपुरं शान्तनोः संन्यवेदयत्। तस्य तद्दुष्करं कर्म प्रशशंसुर्नाराधिपाः॥ 72 समेताश्च पृथक्चैव भीष्मोयमिति चाब्रुवन्। तच्छ्रुत्वा दुष्करं कर्म कृतं भीष्मेण शान्तनुः॥ 73 स्वच्छन्दमरणं तुष्टो ददौ तस्मै महात्मने। न ते मृत्युः प्रभविता यावज्जीवितुमिच्छसि॥ 74 त्वत्तो ह्यनुज्ञां संप्राप्य मृत्युः प्रभविताऽनघ॥ 75	75 (440)
King Santanu enjoyed a happy life for thirty-six years before retreating into the woods. One day, while chasing a deer by the banks of the Ganges that he had wounded with his arrow, he noticed that the river was unusually shallow. Pondering this curious change, he quickly wondered why the river was flowing so differently than before.  As he searched for an explanation, he saw a handsome youth, strong and charming like a god, who had momentarily paused the river's flow with a divine weapon. Santanu was astonished to witness this remarkable event near where the youth stood. That youth was actually his son, but since he had only seen his son briefly right after birth, Santanu couldn’t recognize him now. The youth, however, recognized his father immediately and, instead of revealing himself, used his powers to create an illusion and vanished from sight.  King Santanu, confused by what he witnessed and believing the youth to be his son, then called out to the river Ganga, 'Show me the child.’ In response, Ganga took on a beautiful form, holding the adorned boy in her arm, and presented him to Santanu. However, although he had known her before, he did not recognize the lovely woman in elegant white robes. Ganga said, 'O great man, this eighth son, whom you fathered some time ago, is right here. Know that this remarkable child is trained in all kinds of weapons; take him now, O king, for I have raised him with great care. Go home, taking him with you. Gifted with exceptional intellect, he has studied all the Vedas and their teachings with Vasishtha. Proficient in every weapon and a powerful archer, he fights like Indra. Both the gods and the Asuras regard him favorably, O Bharata. Whatever knowledge Usanas possesses, he has mastered completely. He is also skilled in all the scriptures that the son of Angiras (Vrihaspati), honored by both gods and Asuras, understands.  This illustrious son of yours knows all the weapons that the great and invincible Rama, the son of Jamadagni, is skilled in. O courageous king, take your heroic child whom I give to you. He is a formidable archer and well-versed in the duties of a ruler.' Obeying Ganga’s command, Santanu took his son, who shone like the sun, and returned to his capital.  Once in his city, which resembled a heavenly realm, the king felt incredibly fortunate. He gathered all the Pauravas and made his son the heir to protect his kingdom. Bold bull of Bharata's line, the prince quickly won over his father and everyone in the Paurava tribe, earning the affection of all the subjects. Thus, the king of unmatched strength lived happily with his son.  After four years had passed, the king ventured into the woods by the Yamuna one day. While exploring, he noticed a sweet fragrance drifting from an unknown source. Driven by curiosity, the king wandered around, seeking its origin.  As he wandered, he saw a beautiful maiden with dark eyes, the daughter of a fisherman. The king spoke to her, saying, 'Who are you, and whose daughter are you? What are you doing here, dear one?' She replied, 'Bless you! I am the daughter of the chief fisherman. At his request, I row passengers across this river in my boat for spiritual merit.'  Seeing her striking beauty and charm, Santanu wanted to make her his wife. He approached her father to ask for permission to marry her. The chief fisherman said, 'O king, when my daughter was born, it was clear she should marry. But listen to my heartfelt wish. If you truly desire my daughter, give me this promise: if you can pledge that her son will be your heir, then I will gladly give her to you, for I can't find a better match.'  Santanu responded, 'Once I hear the promise you seek, I will know if I can fulfill it. If it's possible, I will surely agree. But if not, how can I commit?' The fisherman replied, 'O king, what I ask is this: the son born of her must be your successor on the throne, no one else.'  Vaisampayana continued, 'Oh Bharata, when Santanu heard this, he was reluctant to grant such a wish, though the fire of longing burned fiercely within him. The king, troubled by desire, returned to Hastinapura, constantly thinking of the fisherman's daughter. Once home, he fell into sorrowful meditation.  One day, Devavrata, noticing his father’s distress, asked, 'You seem to have everything; all leaders obey you. Why then are you so sad? You seem lost in thought, not speaking to me. You no longer ride out and look pale and frail, as if you've lost your spirit. Please tell me what troubles you, so I can find a way to help.'  Hearing this, Santanu replied, 'You speak wisely, my son; I am indeed melancholic, and I will tell you why. You are the only heir of our vast lineage and always engaged in feats of arms. But I constantly worry about the fragility of life. If any harm were to befall you, my child of Ganga, I would be left without a son. Truly, you are to me worth a hundred sons. Because of this, I have no desire to remarry. I only wish for your continued success so our line may thrive. The wise say that one son is as good as none. Rituals and knowledge of the three Vedas offer enduring spiritual rewards, but none of that compares to the merit gained from having a son. In this matter, there's hardly a difference between humans and animals.'  O wise one, I have no doubt that one reaches heaven by having a son. The Vedas, which are the foundation of the Puranas and are even respected by the gods, provide ample evidence of this. O descendant of Bharata, you are a passionate hero always ready for battle. It is likely that you could fall in combat. If that happens, what will become of the Bharata lineage? This thought fills me with sorrow. I have shared with you the reasons for my grief. Vaisampayana continued, 'Devavrata, blessed with great wisdom, reflected on the king's words for a moment. He then approached the elderly minister who was devoted to his father and inquired about the king’s sadness. O strong son of Bharata, when he questioned the minister, he learned about the wish of the fisher chief regarding his daughter Gandhavati.  Devavrata, along with esteemed Kshatriya leaders, went personally to the fisher chief and requested his daughter on behalf of the king. The fisher chief welcomed him respectfully, and as the prince sat in the chief's court, the chief addressed him, saying, 'O mighty Bharata, you are the greatest warrior and the sole son of Santanu. Your strength is unmatched. However, I must tell you this: even if the bride’s father were Indra himself, he would regret turning down such a noble and desirable marriage proposal.'  The great man from whom this renowned maiden Satyavati comes is indeed your equal in virtue. He has often spoken to me about your father's honorable qualities and mentioned that only a king is worthy of marrying Satyavati. I must tell you that I've even turned down the requests of the greatest sage, Asita, who also sought Satyavati's hand in marriage.  One major obstacle stands in the way of this union, which is the presence of a rival in the form of a co-wife’s son. O conqueror of all enemies, he cannot be secure, even if he is an Asura or a Gandharva, when a rival like you is at play. This is the only objection concerning the marriage proposal. Blessings upon you! This is all I have to say about whether Satyavati should be given in marriage.  'Vaisampayana continued, 'O descendant of Bharata, Devavrata, hearing these words, and driven by the desire to benefit his father, spoke before the gathered leaders: 'O truthful man, hear my vow! No one has ever had the courage or will be born to make such a vow! I will fulfill all that you ask! The child born of this maiden shall be our king.'  In response, the chief of the fishermen, eager for his daughter's son to rule, sought the challenging task ahead and said, 'O you of virtuous heart, you have come here as a full representative of your esteemed father Santanu; be the sole negotiator on my behalf regarding the marriage of my daughter. But, dear one, there is more to discuss and reflect upon by you.'  O conqueror of enemies, those who have daughters must heed my words, given their responsibilities. O devoted one to the truth, the promise you made in front of these leaders for Satyavati's sake truly reflects your nobility. I have no doubt you will keep your word, but I wonder about the children you might father. '  Vaisampayana continued,  'O king, the son of Ganga, ever truthful, having understood the concerns of the fisherman leader, spoke out of a desire to honour his father: 'O best of fishermen, listen to me in front of these gathered kings. I have already given up my claim to the throne, now I will handle the matter of my offspring. From this day forth, I vow to remain celibate and dedicate myself to study. Even if I die without a son, I will still reach eternal bliss in heaven!'  'Hearing this from the son of Ganga, the fisherman was filled with joy; his hair stood on end, and he replied, 'I give you my daughter!' At that moment, divine beings and Rishis showered flowers from the heavens upon Devavrata, exclaiming, 'This is Bhishma, the mighty one.' Bhishma then, out of respect for his father, turned to the noble woman and said, 'O mother, please get into the chariot, and let us return home.''  "Vaisampayana continued,  'Having said this, Bhishma helped the beautiful maiden into his chariot. On arriving with her at Hastinapura, he told Santanu everything as it had happened. And the assembled kings, jointly and individually, applauded his extraordinary act and said, 'He is really Bhishma (the terrible)!' And Santanu also, hearing of the extraordinary achievements of his son, became highly gratified and bestowed upon the high-souled prince the boon of death at will, saying, “You will never face death as long as you want to live. Indeed, death will come to you, free of sin, only after you have given it permission.'"

इति श्रीजयसंहिते आदिपर्वणि सप्तमोऽध्यायः॥

 

Ādiparva Chapter-6

Ādiparva Chapter-8