shall not obtain regions of true felicity! O thou timid one, wretch as I was and addicted to cruel deeds, as a consequence of the polluted life I led my power of procreation hath been destroyed by the curse of the deer. The religious institutes mention six kinds of sons that are heirs and kinsmen, and six other kinds that are not heirs but kinsmen. I shall speak of them presently; O Prithā, listen to me! Thy are 1st, the son begotten by one's own self upon his wedded wife; 2nd, the son begotten upon one's wife by an accomplished person from motives of kindness; 3rd, the son begotten upon one's wife by a person for a pecuniary consideration; 4th, the son begotten upon the wife after the husband's death; 5th, the maiden-born son (or putrikā-putra); 6th, the son born of an unchaste wife; 7th, the son given; 8th, the son bought for a consideration; 9th, the son self-given; 10th, the son received with a pregnant bride; 11th, the brother's son; and 12th, the son begotten upon a wife of lower caste. On failure of offspring of a prior class, the mother should desire to have offspring of the next class. At times of distress, men solicit offspring from accomplished younger brothers. The Self-create Manu hath said that men failing to have legitimate offspring of their own may hive 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 up good offspring by some person that is either equal or superior tome! O Kunti, listen to the history of the daughter of Shara-dandayana who was appointed by her lord to raise up offspring! That warrior-dame, when her season came bathed duly and in the night went out and waited at a spot where four roads met. She did not wait long when a Brahmana crowned with ascetic success came there. The daughter of Shara-dandayaua solicited him for offspring, and after pouring libations of clarified butter into the fire (in the performance of the sacrifice known by the name of Pungshavana) she brought forth three sons that were mighty charioteers 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
