was anarchy in the kingdom and the chief of the gods poured not a drop of rain (on the realm).’  The subjects then, afflicted by fear of hunger, hastened to me and said, ’Thy subjects are on the point of being exterminated.  Be thou our king for the sake of our good.  Dispel this drought.  Blessed be thou, O perpetuator of Santanu’s race.  Thy subjects are being greatly afflicted by severe and frightful maladies.  Very few of them are still alive.  It behoveth thee, O son of Ganga, to save them.  Dispel these tortures.  O hero, cherish thy subjects righteously.  When thou art alive, let not the kingdom go to destruction.’  Hearing these words of theirs uttered in a weeping voice, my heart was undisturbed.  Remembering the behaviour of good, I desired to maintain my vow.  Then, O king, the citizens, my auspicious mother Kali herself, our servants, the priests and the preceptors (of our house), and many Brahmanas of great learning, all afflicted with great woe, solicited me to occupy the throne.’  And they said, ’When thou art alive, shall the kingdom, ruled by Pratipa (of old), go to ruin?  O thou of magnanimous heart, be thou the king for our good.’  Thus addressed by them, I joined my hands together and, myself filled with grief and greatly afflicted, I represented to them the vow I had made from filial respect.  I repeatedly informed them that for the sake of our race, I had vowed to live with vital seed drawn up and foreswearing the throne.  It was especially for my mother, again, that I did so.  I, therefore, begged them not to put me to the yoke.  I again joined my hands and conciliated my mother, saying, ’O mother, begot by Santanu and being a member of Kuru’s race, I cannot falsify my promise.’  I repeatedly told her this.  And, O king, I said further, It is for thee especially, O mother, that I took this vow; I am verily thy servant and slave, O mother, thou that art distinguished for parental affection.’  Having begged my mother and the people thus, I then solicited the great sage Vyasa for begetting children upon the wives of my brother.  Indeed, O king, both myself and my mother gratified that Rishi.  At last, O king, the Rishi granted our prayers in the matter of the children.  And he begot three sons in all, O best of Bharata’s race.  Thy father was born blind, and in consequence of this congenital defect of a sense, he could not become king.  The high-souled and celebrated Pandu became king.  And when Pandu became king, his sons must obtain their paternal inheritance.  O sire, do not quarrel, give them half the kingdom.  When I am alive, what other man is competent to reign?  Do not disregard my words.  I only wish that there should be peace amongst you.  O sire, O king, I make no distinction between thee and then (but love all of you equally).  What I have said unto thee represents also the opinion of thy father, of Gandhari, and also of Vidura.  The words of those that are old should always be listened to.  Do not disregard these words of mine.  Do not destroy all thou hast and the earth also.’”