Vaishampayana said: -
1. There was born a king in the race of Ikshvaku and he was known by the name of Mahabhisha. He, a man, a lord of the world, was truthful and was truly powerful.
2. By performing one thousand Ashvamedha and one hundred Rajashuya sacrifices, he pleased the lord of the celestials. Then he ascended to heaven.
3. Once upon a time, the celestials were one day worshipping Brahma. Many royal sages and king Mahabhisha were also present there.
4. The queen of the rivers, Ganga also came there to pay her adorations to the Grandsire. Her garments, as white as the moon, were blown away by the winds.
5. As her person thus became exposed, the celestials bent down their heads, but the royal sage Mahabhisha rudely continued to stare at her.
6. For this ( rude act), Mahabhisha was cursed by Brahma . He said, “You will be born on earth and you shall then again attain to these regions.”
7. The king (Mahavisha) then remembered all the monarchs and ascetics on earth and wished to be born as the son of the greatly powerful Pratipa.
8. The best of the rivers, (Ganga) seeing the king Mahabhisha lose his firmness, went away thinking him in her mind.
9. She saw on her way those dwellers of heaven, the Vasus, who were dejected and who had lost heaven.
10. The best of rivers, seeing them in that state them, “O dwellers of heaven, why do you look dejected? Is every thing all right with you?”
11. The celestial Vasus replied to her, “O great river, we have been cursed for our little fault by the illustrious Vasistha in anger.
12. Vasishtha was engaged in his Sandhya (twilight worship); that best of Rishis was not seen by us. We in our ignorance crossed him. Therefore, he cursed us in anger, saying, ‘Be born as men.’
13. We are not able to frustrate what has been said by that Brahma-knowing Rishi. Kindly make us, the Vasus, your sons by becoming a woman on earth.
14. O amiable one, we are unwilling to enter the womb of any human female.” Having been thus addressed she said: -
Ganga said: -
15. Who is that best of men who will be your father?
The Vasus said: -
16. There will be born on earth a son to Pratipa who will be a greatly famous king. He will be our father on earth.
Ganga said: -
17. O celestials, this is also my wish which you sinless ones have expressed. I shall do the favourite works of that king. It is also your wish as just expressed.
The Vasus said: -
18. O lady of three courses (celestial, terrestrial and subterranean), you should throw your children into water just after their birth, so that we may not have to live for long on earth.
Ganga said: -
19. I shall do as you desire. But so that my companionship with him may not be entirely fruitless, do this that one son may live.
The Vasus said: -
20. We shall each give one eighth part of our respective energies and from it a son will be born to you who will live according to your and his wishes.
21. But this son will not beget any children on earth. Therefore, your that power fill son will be childless.
Vaishampayana said: -
22. The Vasus making this arrangement with Ganga, went away in delight to the place where they lived.
Thus ends the ninty sixth chapter, the history of Mahavisha, in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.