The wise sage Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, known as Vyāsa, perceived the silent yearning of his mother, Kālī, in his heart. Understanding her thoughts as only a son of great wisdom could, he manifested himself before her at once, unseen by others, while he was expounding the Vedas. Suddenly, he appeared there, astonishing her, O joy of the Kurus. Overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of her son after so long, Satyavatī—daughter of Daśa, also called Kālī—embraced Vyāsa with her arms, bathing him in tears of joy and sorrow. Vyāsa, seeing his mother so distressed, sprinkled her with water to calm her, and with great reverence, offered his respects. Then, this eldest son, knower of dharma, spoke gently to his mother: “Mother, I have come because you desired it. Tell me what you wish, and I will do what pleases you.” The family’s officiating priest then performed worship for Vyāsa, the supreme sage, following all the proper rites and sacred mantras. Vyāsa accepted these honors in the prescribed way. Pleased by their reverence, he sat with his mother, who inquired after his well-being. Satyavatī then addressed her son with earnestness: “O sage, sons are born equally from both their mother and their father. As the father is their own, so too, without doubt, is the mother. By destiny, you are my eldest son. Vicitravīrya is likewise my younger son, and as Bhīṣma is the son of Śāntanu, so you are my son from the mother’s side. “Consider yourself a brother or son to Vicitravīrya, just as this truthful Bhīṣma, firm in his vows, is to him. Bhīṣma does not seek to produce heirs or rule the kingdom. Therefore, for the sake of your brother’s line and the continuation of our family, you must consider what is to be done. “By the words of Bhīṣma, by my command, O sinless one, and out of compassion for all beings and their protection, I ask you: whatever I say, please do, with kindness. Approach the wives of your younger brother, who are as beautiful and youthful as daughters of the gods, and who desire sons in accordance with righteousness. You are capable, my son, of begetting offspring upon them—sons fit to continue this noble family and provide heirs. “O wise one, your mind is steadfast in dharma. Therefore, at your command, I will act for the sake of righteousness,” Vyāsa replied. “I will do as you desire, for this ancient practice is known to me. I will give sons to your brother, equal in virtue to Mitra and Varuṇa. Let your two queens observe the vow I prescribe for one year, as is proper, and then they will be purified. When they are ready, let them conceive at once. “In kingdoms without a king, the people perish for lack of protection; all sacred rites are destroyed, there is no rain, and the gods are not worshipped. How can a kingdom without a king endure? Therefore, let conception take place; Bhīṣma will raise the child. “If I must give a son to my brother at an improper time, let me bear whatever deformity may result from those two; this is my solemn vow. If she can endure my scent, form, appearance, and body, let Kausalya conceive an excellent child this very day. She too will have a hundred sons, protectors of the Kuru lineage and removers of your sorrow.” Having spoken thus, the great sage Vyāsa approached Satyavatī. Kausalya, adorned and clad in pure garments, lay upon her bed, prepared for what was to come. The sage, desiring to fulfill his duty, became invisible. Satyavatī then went to her daughter-in-law, who was alone in her chamber, and spoke words filled with righteousness and purpose: “O Kausalya, listen to this doctrine of dharma I tell you. The destruction of the Bharata line is certain, as my fortune declines. Seeing me distressed and the ancestral line afflicted, Bhīṣma, wise in counsel, has advised me for the growth of this family, and this depends on you, my daughter. Grant me this boon. Restore the lost Bharata lineage; bear a son as radiant as the king of the gods, for he will bear the heavy burden of our family’s rule.” Having righteously persuaded her and made her act according to dharma, Satyavatī ensured that Brahmins, divine sages, and guests were all fed as was proper. When the time was right, Satyavatī, after her daughter-in-law had bathed at the sacred hour, gently spoke to her as she lay upon her bed: “O Kausalya, your godlike husband comes to you tonight. Be vigilant and await him, for he will arrive at midnight.” Hearing these words from her mother-in-law, Kausalya lay upon her splendid bed and thought of Bhīṣma and the other foremost Kurus. At midnight, while most people slept and the lamps still burned, the venerable sage entered the chamber. Following his mother’s instructions, the truthful sage devoted to great austerity first approached Ambikā and went to her bed. But when Kausalya saw him—so difficult to look upon, so different from what she had expected—she shrank back in fear and closed her eyes. For Vyāsa appeared misshapen, with matted hair, a harsh complexion, rough and emaciated, bearing a scent unlike any fragrance, altogether formidable in appearance.