The Burden of Legacy: Maharshi Vyasa's Duty to the Kuru Clan

Maharshi Vyasa arrived at Hastinapur's palace and bowed down to touch his mother, Satyavati's feet. As he looked up, he noticed tears in her eyes.

"Please don't cry, Mother," Vyas said. "I have arrived. Let me know how I can help you."

"Regrettably, my youngest son, Vichitravirya, has passed away," Satyavati informed Maharshi Vyas. "He has left behind two widows without children. You are my eldest son. While Bhishma has pledged to remain unmarried for life, you have not made such a commitment. Vichitravirya was your half-brother, and you are responsible for carrying on his lineage. As a Brahmin, you are well-qualified to father children. I request you to impregnate Ambika and Ambalika, as it is your duty to do so."

Maharshi Vyasa wanted the two young queens to undergo purification rituals for a year. However, Satyavati insisted that the matter was urgent as the throne should not remain empty for long. "In that case," Vyasa replied frankly, "the queens must deal with my ugly form and foul odor."

Ambika was the first woman to sleep with Vyasa. The Maharshi told Satyavati that Ambika would bear a son who would become a brave warrior. However, he added that the boy would be born blind because Ambika had shut her eyes out of fear while she was with him.

It was Ambalika's turn, and she appeared pale when she slept with Vyasa. Later, the Maharshi informed Satyavati that Ambalika would give birth to a brave son, but he would have a pale complexion.

Satyavati was distressed to learn that the heir to the throne of Hastinapura would be born blind. She then advised Ambika to spend another night with Vyasa. However, Ambika could not gather the courage to do so and instead sent a maidservant, Parishrami. Parishrami was intelligent, fearless, and a devotee of Maharshi Vyasa. This time, the Maharshi informed Satyavati that the son of Parishrami would be endowed with worldly wisdom and knowledge of politics.