Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v1.c6.70

v1.c6.70

We have already heard of the blind-born Dīrghatamas, his unpleasing ways in love, and his repulsion by wife and children. Fastened by the latter onto a raft, he drifted down the Gaṅgā, and in the end came into the kingdom of King Bali. And the virtuous-souled Bali, the truly brave one, took him and chose him out for the business of sons, having learned who he was: “For the carrying on of my line, do thou beget, with my wives, sons skilled in religious and worldly things.” Thus addressed, the very mighty Ṛishi answered: “Yes.” Then the king sent him his wife Sudeshṇā. But the queen knowing that he was old and blind, did not go, but sent the old man her nurse’s daughter. With this Ṣūdrā he begat eleven sons (i, 104.41 ff.). In the 56th çloka Bhīshma thus ends his account: In this way there were begotten on earth by Brahmans other Kshattriyas also, great in bowmanship, with most excellent knowledge of virtue, brave, and with mighty strength.