' Thus addressed, the maiden
asked for the boon that her body might emit a sweet scent (instead of the
fish-odour that it had). And the illustrious Rishi thereupon granted that
wish of her heart.
"Having obtained her boon, she became highly pleased, and her season
immediately came. And she accepted the embraces of that Rishi of wonderful
deeds. And she thenceforth became known among men by the name of
Gandhavati (the sweet-scented one). And men could perceive her scent from
the distance of a yojana. And for this she was known by another name which
was Yojanagandha (one who scatters her scent for a yojana all around). And
the illustrious Parasara, after this, went to his own asylum.
"And Satyavati gratified with having obtained the excellent boon in
consequence of which she became sweet-scented and her virginity remained
unsullied conceived through Parasara's embraces. And she brought forth the
very day, on an island in the Yamuna, the child begot upon her by Parasara
and gifted with great energy. And the child, with the permission of his
mother, set his mind on asceticism. And he went away saying, 'As soon as
thou rememberest me when occasion comes, I shall appear unto thee.'
"And it was thus that Vyasa was born of Satyavati through Parasara. And
because he was born in an island, he was called Dwaipayana (Dwaipa or
islandborn). And the learned Dwaipayana, beholding that virtue is destined
to become lame by one leg each yuga (she having four legs in all) and that
the period of life and the strength of men followed the yugas, and moved
by the desire of obtaining the favour of Brahman and the Brahmanas,
arranged the Vedas.
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