dissolution of this my body my ancestors perish! Men are born on this earth with four debts, viz, those due unto the (deceased) ancestors, the gods, the Rishis, and other men. In justice these must be discharged. The wise have declared that no regions of bliss exist for them who neglect to pay these debts in due time. The gods are paid (gratified) by sacrifices; the Rishis, by study, meditation, and asceticism; the (deceased) ancestors, by begetting children and offering the funeral cake; and, lastly, other men, by leading a humane and inoffensive life. I have justly discharged my obligations to the Rishis, the gods, and other men. But those others than these three are sure to perish with the dissolution of my body! Ye ascetics, I am not yet freed from the debt I owe to my (deceased) ancestors! The best of men are born in this world to beget children for discharging that debt. I would ask ye, should children be begotten in my soil (upon my wives) as I myself was begotten in the soil of my father by the eminent Rishi?'
"The Rishis said, 'O king of virtuous soul, there is progeny for thee in store, that is sinless and blest with good fortune and like unto the gods! We behold it all with our prophetic eyes! Therefore, O thou tiger among men, accomplish by your own acts that which destiny pointeth at. Men of intelligence, acting with deliberation always obtain good fruits. It behoveth thee, therefore, O king, to exert thyself. The fruits thou wouldst obtain are distinctly visible. Thou wouldst really obtain accomplished and agreeable progeny.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of the ascetics, Pandu, remembering the loss of his procreative powers owing to the curse of the deer, began to reflect deeply. And calling his wedded wife the excellent Kunti unto him, he told her in private, 'Strive thou to raise up offspring at this time of distress! The wise expounders of the eternal religion declare that a son, O Kunti, is the cause of virtuous fame in the three worlds. It is said that sacrifices, gifts in charity, ascetic penances, and vows observed most carefully, do not confer religious merit on a sonless man! O thou of sweet smiles, knowing all this, I am certain that sonless as I am, I
