"'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 charioteers wedded to virtue sprung in the Kshatria tribe 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 of the Adi Parva.
( Sambhava Parva continued. )
"Bhisma 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 offer of wealth, and let him raise offspring upon the wives of Vichittra-virya.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Satyavati then, smiling softly and her voice broken in bashfulness, addressed Bhisma saying, 'O Bharata of mighty arms, what thou sayest is true. From my confidence in thee I shall now indicate the means of perpetuating our line. Thou shalt not be able to reject it, conversant as thou art with the practices permitted in seasons of distress. In our race, thou art Virtue, and thou art Truth, and thou too art our sole refuge! Therefore, hearing what I say truly, do what may be proper.
"'My father was a virtuous man. For virtue's sake he had kept a (ferry) boat. One day, in the prime of my youth, I went to ply that boat. It so happened that the great and wise Rishi Parashara, that foremost of all virtuons men, came upon my boat for crossing the Yamuna. As I was rowing him accross the river, the Rishi became excited with desire and began to address me in soft words. The fear of my father was uppermost in my mind. But the fear of the Rishi's curse at last prevailed. And having obtained from him a precious boon, I could not refuse his solicitations. The Rishi by his energy brought me under his complete control, and gratified his desire there and then, having first enveloped the region wtih
