Bhishma, ever steadfast in dharma, addressed Satyavati with deep sincerity: “O Satyavati, consider what is righteous—be devoted to truth—so that I do not abandon my commitment to truth, and so our lineage may endure.” Hearing his words, Satyavati, with gentle modesty and a soft smile, replied to Bhishma: “What you say is indeed true, O mighty-armed Bharata. Trusting in you, I will now speak for the sake of our family’s future. There is a certain dharma, difficult to reveal in times of distress, which I have not spoken of before. You alone are the embodiment of dharma in our family, you are truth itself, and the supreme refuge for us all. Whatever you decide, that will be done by us—this is my firm resolve. Therefore, listen to my words, which are beneficial and rooted in both righteousness and prosperity. “You know, Bhishma, that some matters spoken in confidence ought not to be revealed. Yet you have heard of the noble king Vasu. Long ago, I was carried in the womb as a fish by his white-armed queen. My mother was taken from the water by a fisherman, a man of great virtue, who then brought me to his home and raised me as his own daughter. Thus, by dharma, he became my father. “In my youth, I would help my father, who was devoted to righteousness, ferry people across the river in his boat. One day, as I went to the river in the prime of my youth, the great sage Parashara, foremost among those who know dharma, came to our boat, wishing to cross the Yamuna. “As I ferried him across the river, Parashara approached me, speaking sweet and gentle words, moved by desire. He told me of my true birth and lineage, saying, ‘You are not the daughter of a fisherman.’ Fearing a curse and dreading my father’s anger, I could not refuse his request, though it was difficult for me. “On the far shore of the Yamuna, I saw illustrious sages standing along the banks, shining like blazing fires. The young sun shone brilliantly before us, draping the sky in red garments and filling the world with light. Then, as I spoke there, the mighty sage Parashara, steadfast in truth, created a thick mist on the island in the river’s waters, enveloping us in darkness. “With the power of his asceticism, he overwhelmed me, a young girl, and brought me under his control, as if I were a boat upon the water. At that time, I had a strong fishy odor, which was distressing to me, but the sage removed it and blessed me with a pleasant fragrance. Then, after I had conceived his child, Parashara assured me, ‘On this very island, you shall remain a maiden.’ “Gladly, the wise ascetic granted me perpetual maidenhood. Amazed and troubled by his great power, I surrendered myself to the situation. Then, O Bharata, that great sage, delighted, begot a son in me, there on the island. “That son of Parashara became a great yogi and a mighty sage—my son, born of a maiden, was known as Dvaipayana. That blessed sage, who divided the four Vedas by his austerities, became renowned as Vyasa in the world, and because of his dark complexion, he was also called Krishna. “Truthful, self-controlled, ascetic, and free from sin, he was born instantly and, after his birth, departed with his father. He was clearly appointed by both you and me, O one of unmatched splendor, to produce good offspring in the line of your brother. “He once told me, ‘Remember me in times of hardship.’ Now, O mighty-armed Bhishma, if you desire, I will call upon him. With your consent, Bhishma, that great ascetic will surely beget sons in the line of Vichitravirya.” At the mention of that great sage, Bhishma joined his palms in reverence and replied, “You know the proper place and time; let it be done for the fulfillment of our purpose. The purpose, its connection with other purposes, righteousness and its relation to dharma, desire and its relation to desire, and their opposites—all these must be considered separately. He who reflects with intelligence and decides with resolve is truly wise, and this act, bound to righteousness and beneficial to our family, pleases me greatly.” At that very moment, Krishna Dvaipayana, the sage, perceived his mother Satyavati’s thoughts. Knowing her mind, he appeared there instantly, as he was expounding the Vedas. He manifested in their presence, unseen by others, O joy of the Kurus. Satyavati then performed the proper rites of worship for her son. Embracing him tightly, she bathed him with tears of joy; after so long, the daughter of Dasa wept at the sight of her son. Vyasa, her eldest, sprinkled her, who was distressed, with water, and offering her respect, spoke to his mother: “I have come for what you desire. Command me, O knower of righteousness, and I will do what pleases you.” Then the officiating priest performed worship for the supreme sage, who accepted it according to proper rite and mantra. Thus honored, Vyasa was pleased, and as he sat, his mother inquired after his well-being. Satyavati then spoke: “O sage, sons are born equally from both mother and father. As the father is theirs, so too is the mother, without doubt; by ordinance, you are my eldest son. O brahmin sage, Vichitravirya is likewise my younger son; as Bhishma is from the father, so you are from the mother.” Thus, with reverence and wisdom, Satyavati revealed her past and set in motion the means to preserve the Kuru lineage.