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ADI PARVA
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men solicit offspring from accomplished younger brothers. The self-born Manu hath said that men failing to have legitimate offspring of their own may bave offspring begotten upon their wives by others, for sons confer the highest religious merit. Therefore, O Kunti, being destitute myself of the power of procreation, I command thee to raise good offspring through some person who is either equal or superior to me! O Kunti, listen to the history of the daughter of Saradandeyana who was appointed by hec lord to raise offspring! That warrior-dame, when her monthly season arrived, bathed duly and in the night went out and waited on a spot where four roads met. She did not wait long when a Brahmana crowned with ascetic success came there. The daughter of' Saradan. deyana solicited him for offspring. After pouring libations of clarified butter on the fire (in the performance of the sacrifice known by the name of Pungeavana) she brought forth three sons that were mighty car-warriors and of whom Durjaya was the eldest, begotten upon her by that Brahmana. O thou of good fortune, do thou follow that warrior. dame's example at my command, and speedily raise offspring out of the seed of some Brahmana any of high ascetic merit,"

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

SECTION CXXI

(Sambhava Parva continued)

Vaisampayana said "Thus addressed. Kunti replied unto her heroic lord, king Pandu. that bull amongst the Kurus, saying.-'O virtuous one, it behoveth thee not to say so unto me! I am, thou lotus-eyed, thy wedded wife, devoted to thee! O, Bharata of mighty arms, thyself shalt, in righteousness, beget upon me children endued with great energy! Then I shall ascend to heaven with thee : 0 prince of Kuru's race, receive me in thy embrace for begetting children! I shall not certainly, even in imagination, accept any other man except thee in my embraces! What other man is there in this world superior to thee? O virtuous one, listen to this Pauranic narrative that hath been, O thou of large eyes, heard by me, and that I shall presently narrater.

  • There was, in ancient times, a king in the race of Puru, known by the name of Vyushitaswa. He was devoted to truth and virtue. Of virtuous soul and mighty arms, on one occasion, while he was per. forming a sacrifice the gods with Indra and the great Rishis came to

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