As the weight of the Kuru dynasty’s future pressed upon them, Satyavati addressed Vyasa with deep concern and reverence. “Just as you consider yourself a brother or son to Vicitravīrya,” she said, “so too is this truthful son of Śāntanu, steadfast in his commitment to truth. Yet, he takes no action regarding offspring or the rule of the kingdom. Therefore, for the sake of your brother’s lineage and the welfare of our family, you must consider what must be done.” She continued, “By the words of Bhīṣma, by my command, O sinless one, and out of compassion for all beings, for their protection, and out of kindness, whatever I now say, you should do. With the wives of your younger brother, who are like daughters of the gods—endowed with beauty and youth, and desiring sons in accordance with righteousness—you, my son, are capable of begetting children upon them. This is necessary for the continuation of our family and the birth of heirs.” Vyasa, wise and devoted to dharma, replied, “Just as you have spoken, my mind is fixed on righteousness. Therefore, at your command, I will act for the sake of dharma. I will do as you desire, for this ancient practice has been observed before. I will give sons to your brother, equal in virtue to Mitra and Varuna. Let your two queens observe the vow I have prescribed here—for one year, as is proper—after which they will be purified. When the time is right and they are prepared, let them conceive at once.” Satyavati reminded Vyasa of the dire consequences of a kingdom without a king: “In such a realm, the people perish, deprived of protection. All sacred rites are destroyed, there is no rain, nor are there gods. How can a kingdom without a king be sustained, O lord? Therefore, let conception take place; Bhīṣma will raise the child.” Vyasa then made a solemn vow: “If I must give a son to my brother at an improper time, let me bear the deformity of those two. This is my highest 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, without doubt—protectors of the Kuru lineage and removers of your sorrow.” Having thus spoken, the great sage Vyasa approached Satyavati. Meanwhile, Kausalya, adorned and clad in pure garments, lay upon her bed. The sage, desiring to fulfill his mother’s command, became invisible, and Satyavati herself went to her daughter-in-law, who was alone in her chamber. Satyavati spoke words that were righteous and full of purpose: “O Kausalya, listen to this doctrine of dharma that I tell you. The destruction of the Bharata line is certain, due to the decline of my fortune. Seeing me distressed and the ancestral line afflicted, Bhīṣma, wise in counsel, has advised me for the growth of this family. This counsel depends on you, daughter, so grant me this. Restore the lost Bharata lineage once again; bear a son, O fair-hipped one, radiant as the king of the gods. For he will bear the heavy burden of our family’s rule.” Having righteously persuaded her daughter-in-law, Satyavati ensured that Brahmins, divine sages, and guests were honored and fed. Then, at the proper time, after her daughter-in-law had bathed at the sacred hour, Satyavati gently spoke to her as she lay upon her bed: “O Kausalya, your godlike husband is coming to you today. Be vigilant and await him, for he will arrive at midnight.” Hearing these words, Kausalya lay upon her splendid bed, thinking of Bhīṣma and the other foremost Kurus. At midnight, when most people were asleep and the lamps were burning, the venerable sage Vyasa entered the chamber. The truthful sage, devoted to great austerity, first approached Ambika, as instructed, and went to her bed. But when Kausalya saw Vyasa—so difficult to look upon and so unlike what she had expected—she shrank back in fear, closing her eyes. For Vyasa was misshapen, with matted hair, a harsh complexion, rough and emaciated, bearing a scent unlike fragrance, altogether formidable. His dark complexion, tawny matted hair, blazing eyes, and brown beard filled her with dread, and she closed her eyes in fear, even as she united with him to please her mother-in-law. After Vyasa had departed, Satyavati approached her son and asked, “Will this princess bear a virtuous royal son?” Vyasa, endowed with knowledge beyond the senses and impelled by destiny, replied, “He will have the strength of ten thousand elephants, be learned, the best of royal sages, greatly fortunate, mighty, and of great intellect. He will also have a hundred sons, this great-souled one; but due to his mother’s fault, he will be born blind.” Hearing this, Satyavati said, “A blind king is not suitable for the Kurus, O possessor of austerity. He should be the protector of the family line, the enhancer of the ancestors’ lineage; grant me another son, to remove my sorrow. Therefore, beget another son, a king, on my younger daughter-in-law; she is endowed with beauty and youth. By my command, beget a son on her, superior in qualities, to be the second king of the Kuru line.