Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c6.161

v1.c6.161

has had the adventure leading to the birth of Vyāsa, and at the same time to her fragrant smell. By her divine beauty, her sweet charm, and her indescribable fragrance a burning love is kindled in him, and he asks her of her foster-father, the fisherman. But this latter will only give his consent if the king promises him on oath that the son of the pair shall be king without any rival. Now as Çāntanu has already a splendid scion, the Bhīshma born of Gaṅgā, and has already consecrated him as heir to the throne, he will not do so. “Burning with hot love, his mind darkened with passion, thinking only of the fisherman’s daughter, he went back to Hāstinapura.” Then Bhīshma once saw him thus grieving and asked him why he was always thus pining in sorrow, why he was pale and haggard and always deep in thought; he would know, he said, his sorrow, and help him. “But Çāntanu, the father, could not disclose to the son this unavowable love of his for the fisherman’s daughter.”¹ He said: “Thou art the only son in a warrior race, and ever busied with warlike things; therefore wilt thou fall in the fight. And, indeed, all things in the world are thus fleeting. I do not wish for myself to marry a second time, but I wish to do so that the line may not die out.” Then Bhīshma went to the old minister of his father, and asked him. From his lips he learned the details.² At once the noble son with old Kshattriyas sought out that fisherman, and asked on his father’s behalf for Satyavatī’s hand. Her foster-father granted that this was a highly honourable match, and that King Çāntanu had already been named to him by the maiden’s real father as a worthy husband, and so the divine Rishi Asita, who was violently in love and was seeking her hand, had had to withdraw rebuffed. But as a father he had to point out, he said, that the son of these two would not be able to stand up against so mighty a rival as Bhīshma. Bhīshma then before all the witnesses solemnly renounced his father’s throne. But the fisherman, like a prudent adviser, then reminded them that even then Bhīshma’s offspring would make a claim. Now did the good son make the awful vow: “From to-day onwards I shall live in utter chastity, and the imperishable worlds in heaven will fall to the sonless one’s lot.” In great joy the fisherman now gave his consent. At once Bhīshma made request: “Come up into my chariot, mother; we will drive home.” He brought his father the bride, and the father for his hard deed granted him the boon of only having to die when he wished it himself (i, 100.45 ff. ; cp. v, 172.17–19 ; 173.5 ; vi, 14.2 ; 120.14).¹