rice for giving unto Gadhi (her sire) a son.  Calling his wife, Richika of Bhrigu’s race said, ’This portion of the sanctified food should be taken by thee, and this (other) portion by thy mother.  A son will be born of her that will blaze with energy and be a bull among Kshatriyas.  Invincible by Kshatriyas on earth, he will be the slayer of the foremost of Kshatriyas.  As regards thee, O blessed lady, this portion of the food will give thee a son of great wisdom, an embodiment of tranquillity, endued with ascetic penances, and the foremost of Brahmanas.  Having said these words unto his wife, the blessed Richika of Bhrigu’s race, setting his heart on penances, proceeded to the woods.  About this time, king Gadhi, resolved upon a pilgrimage to the holy waters, arrived with his queen at the retreat, of Richika.  Satyavati, upon this, O king, taking the two portions of the sanctified food, cheerfully and in great haste, represented the worlds of her lord unto her mother.  The queen-mother, O son of Kunti, gave the portion intended for herself unto her daughter, and herself took from ignorance the portion intended for the latter.  Upon this, Satyavati, her body blazing with lustre, conceived a child of terrible form intended to become the exterminator of the Kshatriyas.  Beholding a Brahmana child lying within her womb, that tiger among the Bhrigus said unto his wife of celestial beauty these words:  ’Thou hast been deceived by the, mother, O blessed lady, in consequence of the substitution of the sanctified morsels.  Thy son will become a person of cruel deeds and vindictive heart.  Thy brother again (born of thy mother) will be a Brahmana devoted to ascetic penances.  Into the sanctified food intended for thee had been placed the seed of the supreme and universal Brahma, while into that intended for thy mother had been placed the sum total of Kshatriya energy.  In consequence, however, of the substitution of the two portions, O blessed lady, that which had been intended will not happen.  Thy mother will obtain a Brahmana child while thou wilt obtain a son that will become a Kshatriya.’  Thus addressed by her lord, the highly blessed Satyavati prostrated herself and placing her head at his feet, trembling, said, ’It behoveth thee not, O holy one, to speak such words unto me, viz., ’Thou shalt obtain a wretch among Brahmanas (for thy son).’

“Richika said, ’This was not intended by me, O blessed lady, in respect of thee.  A son of fierce deeds has been conceived by thee simply in consequence of the substitution of the sanctified morsels.’

“Satyavati replied saying, ’If thou wishest, O sage, thou canst create other worlds, what need then be said of a child?  It behoveth thee, O puissant one, to give me a son that shall be righteous and devoted to peace.’

“Richika said, ’Never was falsehood spoken by me before, O blessed lady, even in jest.  What need then be said of (such a solemn occasion as) preparing sanctified food with the aid of Vedic formulae after igniting t. fire?  It was ordained of yore by Destiny, O amiable one!  I have ascertained it all by my penances.  All the descendants of thy father will be possessed of Brahmanic virtues.’