CHAPTER IV.

THE DEMIGODS OF THE MAHABHARATA.

AS these heroes are so intimately connected with each other, a separate account of each would necessitate frequent repetition; they will therefore be noticed together, in a brief outline of the main story of the Mahabharata. [**]

In the fifth generation from Soma (the Moon), the progenitor of the Lunar race, who reigned at Hastinapur, came two sons, Puru [*+] and Yadu; from whom proceeded two branches of the Lunar line. In the account of Krishna and Balarama, who were born in the Yadu tribe, we have seen the end of that branch of the family. Sixteenth from Puru, the founder of the other

branch, came Bharata, from whom India takes its name, Bharatvarsha (the country of Bharata), in the present day. Twenty-third from Bharata came Santanu. This Santanu had two sons, Bhishma, by the goddess Ganga (the Ganges), and Vichitravirya, by Satyavati. [**] Satyavati had a son named Vyasa before her marriage with Santanu; so that Bhishma, Vichitravirya, and Vyasa were half-brothers. Bhishma became a Brahmachari (i.e. took a vow of celibacy). Vyasa retired to the wilderness to live a life of contemplation, but promised his mother that he would obey her in everything.

Now it so happened that Vichitravirya died childless, and Satyavati was therefore obliged to ask her son Vyasa to marry the childless widows. The result was that the one wife, Ambika, had a son who was born blind, named Dhritarashtra. This blindness is said to have been caused by the fact that Vyasa, coming in from his ascetic life, was so repulsive in appearance that Ambika kept her eyes closed all the time he remained with her. The other wife, named Ambalika, had a son who was born of a pale complexion, and named Pandu; this paleness was the result of the fear that Vyasa caused to the mother. Satyavati, not satisfied with either of these children, wished for another and perfect child. But Ambika, dressing up one of her slaves, sent her to Vyasa in her stead; the result was that this girl had a son who was called Vidura. After fulfilling his

mother's commands, Vyasa returned to his ascetic life in the forest.

Bhishma, the uncle of these children, conducted the government of Hastinapur in their name during their minority, and their education was also entrusted to him. Dhritarashtra, though blind, is described as excelling the others in strength; Pandu, as being skilled in the use of the bow; and Vidura, as pre-eminent in virtue and wisdom.