As the story unfolds, a son expresses his deep disappointment, declaring that shame befalls any son who, though able, neglects his father's wishes. Such a son, he says, is of no use if he cannot ease his father's worries. Hearing these words, King Śantanu feels a pang of embarrassment within his heart and quickly responds to his son. The king confides, "My anxiety is great, dear child, for you are my only son. Brave, strong, and proud as you are, you turn away from battle. My life depends on you alone; if you were to perish in some distant fight, what would become of me, left without support? This is the sorrow that weighs on me today—there is no other concern I hold, and I speak it openly before you." Moved by his father's words, Gāṅgeya—Bhīṣma—turns to the elderly ministers and asks, "The king does not speak to me, overcome with embarrassment. Please, learn his worries and tell me the truth, so I may act without hesitation." The ministers approach the king, discover the cause of his distress, and report back to Gāṅgeya, who contemplates the matter. Joined by the ministers, Gāṅgeya quickly visits the house of the fisherman. Bowing with affection, he addresses the fisherman, saying, "Give your daughter to my father today. I request the fair-waisted one; let her become my mother, and I will serve her, O scorcher of foes." The fisherman replies, "Take her, O fortunate prince, make her your father's wife. But her son must not become king while you live." Gāṅgeya assures him, "This daughter of yours shall be my mother. I renounce the kingdom; her son will certainly rule, without doubt." The fisherman, still concerned, says, "I trust your words, but your son will be strong and may claim the kingdom by force." Gāṅgeya solemnly declares, "I will never marry, in any way. My vow is true, O father—I have taken the vow of Bhīṣma." Hearing this unwavering promise, the fisherman gives his radiant daughter, Satyavatī, to King Śantanu. Thus, Satyavatī is united with Śantanu, but the noble king does not know of Vyāsa’s further birth. Now, the account turns to the birth of Yudhiṣṭhira and others. Satyavatī, united with Śantanu, bears two sons, but both die due to the force of time. From Vyāsa’s seed, Dhṛtarāṣṭra is born, blind because the woman closed her eyes when she saw the sage. When she appeared pale upon seeing Vyāsa, Pandu is born from Vyāsa’s anger. Vyāsa, pleased by her, through a maidservant skilled in the art of desire, begets Vidura, who is a portion of Dharma—truthful and pure. Though Pandu is younger, the ministers establish him as king, for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s blindness prevents him from ruling. With Bhīṣma’s approval, mighty Pandu obtains the kingdom, and wise Vidura is appointed as counselor. Dhṛtarāṣṭra marries two wives: Gandhari, daughter of Subala, and a second, a Vaishya woman devoted to household duties. Pandu, too, has two wives, as declared by Vedic scholars: Kunti, daughter of Shurasena, and Madri, born in Madra. Gandhari gives birth to a hundred splendid sons, and the Vaishya woman bears one beloved son, Yuyutsu. Kunti, while still a maiden in her father’s house, first bears Karna, charming in form, from the Sun; later, she is married to Pandu. The sages, astonished, ask Sūta, "What wondrous tale is this? How was a son born before Kunti’s marriage to Pandu? How was Karna born from the Sun in a maiden? Tell us in detail—how was she again a maiden and then married?" Sūta explains: Kunti, daughter of Shurasena, was requested as a maiden by King Kuntibhoja when she was a child. Adopted by Kuntibhoja as his daughter, Kunti, with a lovely smile, is appointed to serve the radiant sage Durvasa. During the four-month vow, Kunti serves Durvasa, who becomes pleased with her and grants her a sacred mantra. With this, any god she invokes will come and fulfill her desire. After Durvasa departs, Kunti, curious, decides to test the mantra. She wonders which god to invoke, and then the Sun appears before her. Reciting the mantra, she calls upon the blazing one, who descends from the sky in a human form of surpassing beauty and appears in her chamber. Seeing the Sun God approach, Kunti is astonished and trembles, experiencing the consequence of her womanhood. With palms joined and eyes shining, she addresses the Sun: "I am greatly pleased by your presence today; now return to your realm." The Sun replies, "Kunti, your mantra has summoned me. Why do you call me, yet not honor me while I stand before you? O dark-eyed one, I am overcome with desire; unite with me, filled with devotion. By your mantra, I am under your control—take me now to enjoy together." Kunti answers, "I am a maiden, O knower of righteousness, and I bow to you, the witness of all. I am not to be reproached, for I am a noble family's daughter, O virtuous one." Thus, the story continues, weaving together the destinies of kings, sages, and divine beings, setting the stage for the birth of heroes and the unfolding of the great epic.