At the very moment I beheld you, it was by divine knowledge that your true form was revealed to me. Now, out of affection, I will tell you the story of your origin, O Vāsavī—listen well. Among the Pitṛs, the ancestral spirits known as the Barhiṣads, you are renowned. You are their mind-born daughter, famous as Acchodā, for you arose from that divine and sacred lake called Acchoda. Yet, you had never seen your fathers before—being born from their minds, you were unaware of your own Pitṛs. In your innocence, you chose another as your father, forsaking your true progenitors. That other was Vasu, a son of Manu, illustrious and dwelling in the heavens. Vasu was united with Adrikā, an apsaras who resided in a celestial chariot. Through a mental slip, moved by desire, you acted thus, choosing another father. Because of this desire, through the power of yoga, you fell from heaven. As you descended, you glimpsed, from close by, three celestial chariots. There, you saw your own Pitṛs—subtle as motes of dust, indistinct, their forms barely perceptible, as if their limbs were joined together in a faint outline. Falling headlong, distressed, you cried out to them, “Father!” The Pitṛs comforted you, saying, “Do not fear,” and thus, you remained in heaven. Then, with humble words, you began to propitiate your fathers. They replied, “By your own transgression, you have lost your sovereignty, O gentle-smiling one. You fall because of your own fault. Here, the gods act with bodies and reap the fruits of their actions through those very forms. But among humans, good or evil is experienced through another body—such is the order of things. Among the gods, actions bear fruit instantly, but among humans, only after death. Therefore, my daughter, you will fall and receive your result after death. “You are a maiden without a father, considered the daughter of Vasu. Born from the womb of a fish, you will become the daughter of a king. Adrikā, taking the form of a fish, met with the river Ganga. You will bear a son to Parāśara, who will be his heir. He, a brahmarshi, will divide the single Veda into four. The son of the great physician, he will increase the fame of Śantanu. You will give birth to the eldest, the heroic Citrāngada, and the renowned Citravīrya. After bearing these noble sons, you will depart once more. “Because you transgressed the ancestors, you will receive a lowly birth, becoming the daughter of this very king, born from Adrikā. In the twenty-eighth Dvāpara age, you will be born from the womb of a fish. Thus it was spoken in ancient times, and so you were born as the auspicious Satyavatī. Adrikā, a celestial nymph cursed by Brahma, took the form of a fish, and after giving birth, she returned to heaven. From her you were born, that maiden, by the king’s seed. Therefore, O blessed one, Vasu asked you for a son to continue his lineage.” Vasu spoke to you, “O fortunate one, grant me union.” Overwhelmed with astonishment as memories of your past life flooded you, you replied, “Behold, O lord, the sages standing on the far shore. How can there be union between us with them watching?” Hearing this, the lord created a mist, enveloping the entire region in darkness. Seeing this miracle wrought by the great sage, you were astonished and bashful, devoted to austerity. You said, “Because of union with you, O sinless one, my maidenhood will be lost. If my virginity is defiled, how will I return home, best of twice-born? Wise one, I wish to go home; I cannot remain here. Please, lord, decide what should follow.” To your earnest plea, the best of men replied with affection, “Having fulfilled my wish, you shall remain a maiden. Choose a boon, O timid one, whatever you desire, for my favor has never before been fruitless.” Thus addressed, you chose the supreme boon of fragrant limbs, and the blessed lord granted your wish. Delighted and adorned with the qualities of womanhood, you entered into union with the sage of wondrous deeds. From that day, people on earth could sense your fragrance from a yojana away, and because of this, you became known by another name. Thus, Satyavatī, joyful, obtained her unrivaled boon. United with Parāśara, you conceived immediately, and on the isle of the Yamuna, the mighty Parāśara’s son was born. Seeking his mother’s permission, the child fixed his mind upon asceticism and said, “I will appear whenever remembered and needed for any task.” Thus, Dvaipayana was born to Satyavatī by Parāśara, and since he was placed on an island as a child, he became known as Dvaipayana. That wise one established Dharma suited to each age, considering the lifespan and strength of mortals and the nature of the yugas. Out of compassion for Brahman and the Brahmins, he divided the Vedas for the benefit of all; thus, he is remembered as Vyasa. He taught the Vedas and the fifth Veda, the Mahabharata, to Sumantu, Jaimini, Paila, and his own son Shuka.