transformed monarch prostrate himself thus unto him, became gratified
with him and desired to give him a boon. Which of your sons, O king, dost
thou wish, should revive, those that were brought forth by thee
transformed into a woman, or those that were begotten by thee in thy
condition as a person of the male sex? The ascetic lady, joining her
hands, answered Indra, saying, O Vasava, let those sons of mine come to
life that were borne by me as a woman. Filled with wonder at this reply,
Indra once more asked the lady, Why dost thou entertain less affection
for those children of thine that were begotten by thee in thy form of a
person of the male sex? Why is it that thou bearest greater affection for
those children that were borne by thee in thy transformed state? I wish
to hear the reason of this difference in respect of thy affection. It
behoveth thee to tell me everything.'

"The lady said, 'The affection that is entertained by a woman is much
greater than that which is entertained by a man. Hence, it is, O Sakra,
that I wish those children to come back to life that were borne by me as
a woman.'

"Bhishma continued, 'Thus addressed, Indra became highly pleased and said
unto her, O lady that art so truthful, let all thy children come back
into life. Do thou take another boon, O foremost of kings, in fact,
whatever boon thou likest. O thou of excellent vows, do thou take from me
whatever status thou choosest, that of woman or of man.'

"The lady said, 'I desire to remain a woman, O Sakra. In fact,--do not
wish to be restored to the status of manhood, O Vasava.--Hearing this
answer, Indra once more asked her, saying,--Why is it, O puissant one,
that abandoning the status of manhood thou wishest that of womanhood?
Questioned thus, that foremost of monarchs transformed into a woman