one’s own self upon his wedded wife; 2nd, the son begotten upon one’s wife by an accomplished person from motives of kindness; 3rd, the son begotten upon one’s wife by a person for pecuniary consideration; 4th, the son begotten upon the wife after the husband’s death; 5th, the maiden-born son; 6th, the son born of an unchaste wife; 7th, the son given; 8th, the son bought for a consideration; 9th, the son self-given; 10th, the son received with a pregnant bride; 11th, the brother’s son; and 12th, the son begotten upon a wife of lower caste.  On failure of offspring of a prior class, the mother should desire to have offspring of the next class.  In times of distress, men solicit offspring from accomplished younger brothers.  The self-born Manu hath said that men failing to have legitimate offspring of their own may have offspring begotten upon their wives by others, for sons confer the highest religious merit.  Therefore, O Kunti, being destitute myself of the power of procreation, I command thee to raise good offspring through some person who is either equal or superior to me.  O Kunti, listen to the history of the daughter of Saradandayana who was appointed by her lord to raise offspring.  That warrior-dame, when her monthly season arrived, bathed duly and in the night went out and waited on a spot where four roads met.  She did not wait long when a Brahmana crowned with ascetic success came there.  The daughter of Saradandayana solicited him for offspring.  After pouring libations of clarified butter on the fire (in the performance of the sacrifice known by the name of Punsavana) she brought forth three sons that were mighty car-warriors and of whom Durjaya was the eldest, begotten upon her by that Brahmana.  O thou of good fortune, do thou follow that warrior-dame’s example at my command, and speedily raise offspring out of the seed of some Brahmana of high ascetic merit.’”

SECTION CXXI

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Thus addressed, Kunti replied unto her heroic lord, king Pandu, that bull amongst the Kurus, saying, ’O virtuous one, it behoveth thee not to say so unto me.  I am, O thou lotus-eyed one, thy wedded wife, devoted to thee.  O, Bharata of mighty arms, thyself shalt, in righteousness, beget upon me children endued with great energy.  Then I shall ascend to heaven with thee; O prince of Kuru’s race, receive me in thy embrace for begetting children.  I shall not certainly, even in imagination, accept any other man except thee in my embraces.  What other man is there in this world superior to thee?  O virtuous one, listen to this Pauranic narrative that hath been, O thou of large eyes, heard by me, and that I shall presently narrate.