Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c19.4

v2.c19.4

With Satyavatī’s approval Bhīshma appoints Vicitravīrya as king (v, 173.6) ; with her consent he sets out to bring him his wives (i, 102.4). As soon as he has brought them to Hāstinapura, he tells his “mother” of all (v, 173.22 ff.) ; it is with her approval that the wedding takes place (i, 102.60 ; v, 174.4 ; cp. 176.49). So also he asks leave of her when he wishes to leave Ambā to her beloved (v, 175.¹ ; 176.52) ; it is her, too, that he first tells of his coming fight with Paraçurāma, and she gives him her blessing (v, 178.72 f.) ; in the same way he tells her of the result of the battle (v, 186.12). After Citrāṅgada’s death he carries on the government, together with her (i, 102.1 ; cp. 102.72, 73). As we have seen, she also takes care that an heir to the throne is begotten (i, 103 ff. ; cp. 110.3). When Yudhishṭhira starts on his journey to heaven, he leaves the care of the kings he has established to Subhadrā, the wife of Arjuna and grandmother of the heir to the kingdom (xvii, 1.6 ff.).