Mahabharata – 150
by
Sankar Mukherjee
and Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
Aadivamsavatarana Parva
Ganga & Pratipa
Vaisampayana Continued -- The king Pratipa, spent many years in ascetic penances on the bank of the river Ganga to do good to all creatures.
The lovely Ganga, one day, assuming the form of a beautiful female,& rose from the waters. She was charmed by the grace & appearance of
the king who was engaged in penance. She sat on his right thigh. It was like a Sala tree. The king said to her, Oh amiable one! -- What do you desire? What can I do for you?
The Ganga in the disguise of a human female answered, -- I desire you as my husband! Be mine! To refuse a lustrous woman coming of her own is never refused by the wise.
Pratipa answered-- Oh you fair lady! I never go to wives of other men or to women that are not of my caste. This is my vow.
Then Ganga in the disguise of a human female answered --Oh king! I am a maiden. I am not unlucky or ugly. I am every way worthy of being enjoyed. I am a divine maiden of rare beauty.I desire you for my husband. Refuse me not.
Pratipa replied -- Oh maiden! I have already left that course of life, to which you are requesting me to get involved. I am now travelling along a different path. If I break my vow, sin will destroy me. Oh you fair lady! You are sitting on my right thigh. Know that this is the seat for daughters & daughters-in-law. The left thigh is for the wife. But you have not chosen that. Therefore,I cannot enjoy you as my object of desire. Be my daughter-in-law. I accept you for my son.
Ganga in the disguise of a human female answered -- Let it be so.
Let me be united with your son. Out of my respect for you, I shall be a wife of the famous Bharata race. You are the greatest of all the kings on earth. I am incapable of measuring the virtues of your race even if I do that for a hundred years. The greatness and goodness of many kings of your race are peerless. Your race is foremost on the earth. Oh king! let it be clear now that why I want to be your daughter-in-law.Due to my certain oath, your son must refrain from judging my acts. If this is granted I shall do good to him and increase his happiness. And he shall finally attain heaven.
Pratipa replied --Let it be so.
Ganga disappeared then and there from the neighborhood of the king.
by
Sankar Mukherjee
and Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
Aadivamsavatarana Parva
Ganga & Pratipa
Vaisampayana Continued -- The king Pratipa, spent many years in ascetic penances on the bank of the river Ganga to do good to all creatures.
The lovely Ganga, one day, assuming the form of a beautiful female,& rose from the waters. She was charmed by the grace & appearance of
the king who was engaged in penance. She sat on his right thigh. It was like a Sala tree. The king said to her, Oh amiable one! -- What do you desire? What can I do for you?
The Ganga in the disguise of a human female answered, -- I desire you as my husband! Be mine! To refuse a lustrous woman coming of her own is never refused by the wise.
Pratipa answered-- Oh you fair lady! I never go to wives of other men or to women that are not of my caste. This is my vow.
Then Ganga in the disguise of a human female answered --Oh king! I am a maiden. I am not unlucky or ugly. I am every way worthy of being enjoyed. I am a divine maiden of rare beauty.I desire you for my husband. Refuse me not.
Pratipa replied -- Oh maiden! I have already left that course of life, to which you are requesting me to get involved. I am now travelling along a different path. If I break my vow, sin will destroy me. Oh you fair lady! You are sitting on my right thigh. Know that this is the seat for daughters & daughters-in-law. The left thigh is for the wife. But you have not chosen that. Therefore,I cannot enjoy you as my object of desire. Be my daughter-in-law. I accept you for my son.
Ganga in the disguise of a human female answered -- Let it be so.
Let me be united with your son. Out of my respect for you, I shall be a wife of the famous Bharata race. You are the greatest of all the kings on earth. I am incapable of measuring the virtues of your race even if I do that for a hundred years. The greatness and goodness of many kings of your race are peerless. Your race is foremost on the earth. Oh king! let it be clear now that why I want to be your daughter-in-law.Due to my certain oath, your son must refrain from judging my acts. If this is granted I shall do good to him and increase his happiness. And he shall finally attain heaven.
Pratipa replied --Let it be so.
Ganga disappeared then and there from the neighborhood of the king.
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