Out of fear of public censure Satyavati, wife of Santanu, had hidden this fact for years, but she still remembered how the celestial Ṛṣi Parāśara had one day come onto her boat and begotten the great Vyāsadeva in her womb. Parāśara had told her that Providence had destined her for greatness. He was giving an illustrious son who would play an important part in that great destiny. Parāśara had then granted her the boon of keeping her maidenhood even after union with him–and it was he who had blessed her with the celestial fragrance which had captivated Śantanu.
Secret birth of Vyasadev?
