Seeking once more to please the eminent sage, King Bali sent his own wife, Sudeṣṇā, to visit the sage. The sage, upon touching the queen’s limbs, spoke words of blessing: “You will have sons radiant with the brilliance of the sun.” He foretold the names of her sons—Aṅga, Vaṅga, Kaliṅga, Puṇḍra, and Suhma—explaining that their lands would bear their names, and their fame would spread across the earth. Thus, Aṅga became the land of Aṅga, Vaṅga is remembered as Vaṅga, Kaliṅga’s territory is known as Kaliṅga, Puṇḍra’s land as Puṇḍra, and Suhma’s as Suhma. In this way, the lineage of Bali, born from the union with the great sage, became renowned throughout the land. It was also in this manner that other mighty archers and kṣatriyas were born from brāhmaṇas on earth—men of supreme dharma, strength, and valor. “Hearing this, mother,” the speaker gently advised, “you too may act as you wish.” Turning to the present, the speaker continued: “I will now recount the cause for the continuation of the Bharata lineage. Mother, listen as I speak. Let a virtuous brāhmaṇa, invited with wealth, beget offspring in the fields of Vicitravīrya.” Hearing these words, which were rooted in righteousness and purpose, mother Satyavatī addressed Bhīṣma again. She spoke of the ancient precedent, referencing the case of Aucathya and what had occurred with Aṅga, declaring this tradition authoritative and that now was the proper time to act. She appealed to Bhīṣma, saying, “You, O Bhārata, are the eldest and best of this lineage. Just as you obeyed your father’s words, so too fulfill my request, O sinless one. Your younger brother, dearly beloved, has departed for heaven while still a child. Here are both wives of the son of the king of Kashi, endowed with beauty and youth, desiring sons. Knowing this to be the highest righteousness for the continuation of the lineage, you ought to act according to my instruction with these two, for the sake of dharma.” Bhīṣma replied with humility and steadfastness: “Mother, you have spoken of the supreme dharma without doubt; you also know the vow that binds me. For the sake of immortality or the abode of the three worlds, I would abandon my life, but never truth, under any circumstance. I know you to be righteous, steadfast in truth and valor; if you wished, you could create the three worlds here, O best of kings. You should act so that our lineage and dharma are not defeated, and our friends are delighted. You alone are the elder of the lineage, and the highest honor rests with you; you ought to declare to us the proper means for the continuation of the family. Women always hold the deepest secrets within the family, and with many arts, they influence men. O Satyavati, consider dharma, devoted to truth, so that I do not abandon truth and our lineage does not perish.” Satyavati, with words mingled with modesty and a gentle smile, spoke to Bhīṣma: “What you say is true, O mighty-armed Bharata; trusting you, I will speak for the sake of our lineage. Such a dharma in distress cannot be revealed to you; you alone are dharma in our family, you are truth, you are the supreme refuge. Whatever you say, that shall be done by us—this is my resolve; therefore, hearing my truth, do what follows. Hear, Bhīṣma, my words, which are beneficial and joined with dharma and artha. You should not disclose what is spoken in confidence; but you have heard of the king named Vasu, O bull among Bharatas. Once, I was carried in the womb as a fish by his white queen; my mother was taken from the water by a fisherman, who was supremely righteous. Bringing me to his own house, he raised me as his daughter; he was righteous, and thus became my father by dharma. For the sake of dharma, my father, who was righteous, had a boat; once, I went there in the prime of youth. Then, the foremost among knowers of dharma, the great sage Parashara, came to that boat, intending to cross the Yamuna river. As I was ferrying him across the Yamuna, he approached me and spoke, O best of sages, words sweet and gentle, driven by desire. He told me my birth and lineage, and said, ‘You are not the daughter of a fisherman.’ Afraid of a curse and fearful of my father, O Bharata, I could not refuse him, though he asked for difficult boons. I saw those illustrious sages standing on the far shore, placed along the banks of the Yamuna, shining like blazing fires. In front, the young sun shone forth, by which the sky, draped in red garments, seemed to be fully expanded. As soon as I spoke there, the mighty sage Parashara, steadfast in truth, created a mist on the island in the waters of the Yamuna. Overpowering me, a young girl, with his energy, he brought me under his control, covering the world in darkness, as if I were a boat, O Bharata. I once had a strong fishy odor, which was repulsive to me; but the sage removed it and gave me this pleasant fragrance. Then the sage told me, after I had conceived his child, ‘On this very island of the river, you shall remain a maiden.’ Gladly, the wise ascetic granted me perpetual maidenhood; seeing the power of that great soul, I was amazed and distressed. Astonished and troubled, I surrendered myself; then, O Bharata, that great soul, delighted, begot a son in me, on the island, Parashara.” Thus, Satyavati revealed her hidden past, showing how the highest dharma and lineage were preserved even in times of distress, and entrusted Bhīṣma to find the proper way forward for the Bharatas.