great Rishi remained, engaged in high
Yoga-contemplation, from desire of obtaining a son. His strength suffered
no diminution, nor did he feel any pain. At this the three worlds were
much amazed. While the Rishi, possessed of immeasurable energy, sat in
Yoga, his matted locks, in consequence of his energy, were seen to blaze
like flames of fire. The illustrious Markandeya it was from whom I heard
of this. He used always to recite to me the acts of the deities. It is
for this that the matted locks of the high-souled and (Island-born)
Krishna, thus emblazed by his energy on that occasion, seem to this day
to be endued with the complexion of fire. Gratified with such penances
and such devotion, O Bharata, of the Rishi, the great God resolved (to
grant him his wish). The Three-eyed deity, smiling with pleasure,
addressed him and said,--O Island-born one, thou shalt get a son like to
what thou wishest! Possessed of greatness, he shall be as pure as Fire,
as Wind, as Earth, as Water, and as Space! He shall be possessed of the
consciousness of his being Brahma's self; his understanding and soul
shall be devoted to Brahma, and he shall completely depend upon Brahma so
as to be identifiable with it!"'"

SECTION CCCXXV

"'Bhishma said, "The son of Satyavati having obtained this high boon from
the great God, was one day employed in rubbing his sticks for making a
fire. While thus engaged, the illustrious Rishi, O king, beheld the
Apsara Ghritachi, who, in consequence of her energy, was then possessed
of great beauty. Beholding the Apsara in those woods, the illustrious
Rishi Vyasa, O Yudhishthira, became suddenly smitten with desire. The
Apsara (Ghritachi), seeing the Rishi's heart troubled by desire,
transformed herself into a she-parrot and came to that spot. Although he
beheld the Apsara disguised in another form, the desire that had arisen
in the Rishi's heart (without disappearing) spread itself over every part
of his body. Summoning all his patience, the ascetic endeavoured to
suppress that desire; with all his effort, however, Vyasa did not succeed
in controlling his agitated mind. In consequence of the inevitability of
what was to happen, the Rishi's heart was attracted by Ghritachi's fair
form. He set himself more earnestly to the task of making a fire for
suppressing his emotion, but in spite of all his efforts his vital seed
came out. That best of regenerate ones, however, O king, continued to rub
his stick withou