water, and bowing to her, said, 'I have come, O mother, to fulfil thy wishes. Therefore, O thou virtuous one, command me without delay. I shall accomplish thy desire.' The family priest of the Bharatas then worshipped the great Rishi duly, and the latter accepted the offerings of worship, uttering the usual mantras. And gratified with the worship he received, he took his seat. And Satyavati beholding him seated at his ease, after the usual inquiries, addressed him and said, 'O thou learned one, sons derive their birth both from the father and the mother. They are, therefore, the common property of both parents. There cannot be the least doubt about it that the mother hath as much power over them as the father. As thou art, indeed, my eldest son according to the ordinance, O Brahmarshi, so is Vichittra-virya my youngest son. And as Bhisma is Vichittra-virya's brother on the father's side, so art thou his brother on the mother's side. I do not know what you may think, but this is what, O son, I think. This Bhisma the son of Shantanu, devoted to truth, doth not, for the sake of truth, entertain the desire of either begetting children or ruling the kingdom. Therefore, from affection for thy brother Vichittra-virya, for the pepetuation of our dynasty, for the sake of this Bhisma's request and my command, for kindness to all creatures, for the protection of the people, and from the liberality of thy heart, O thou sinless one, it behoveth thee to do what I say! Thy younger brother hath left too wives like unto the daughters of the celestials themselves, endued with youth and great beauty. For the sake of virtue and religion, they have become desirous of offspring. Thou art the fittest person to be appointed. Therefore, beget upon them children worthy of our race and for the continuance of our line.'
"Vyasa, hearing this, said, 'O Satyavati, thou knowest what virtue is, both in respect of this and the other life. O thou of great wisdom, thy affections also are fixed on virtue. Therefore, at thy command, making virtue my motive, I shall do what thou desirest. Indeed, this practice that is conformable to the true and eternal religion is known to me. I shall give unto my brother children that shall be like unto
