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Mahabharata
Astika Parva
Conference between Jaratkaru and manes. Jaratkaru's marriage with Vasuki's sister. Curse of snakes by mother Kadru. Story of the origin of snakes. Story of the churning the ocean. Churning the ocean. Curse of Kadru's sons. Description of the ocean. Seeing of ocean. Story of Garuda. Names of Nagas. Story of Shash-Naga. Coversation of Vasuki and other snakes. Story of Jaratkaru. Asceticism of Jaratkaru, King keeps dead snake on shoulder of Rishi. Curse to Parikshit by Shringi. Conversation between Takshaka and Kashyapa. Takshaka's bite. Birth of Astika. Story of Parikshit. Conversation of Parikshit and ministers. Story of the snake-sacrifice. Astika's arrival in sacrifice. Praise for sacrifice by Astika. Boon for Astika by the king. Narration of the names of snakes. End of the Serpent-sacrifice.
Shaunaka said:
Why did that best of kings, king Janamejaya, resolve to destroy the snakes in a Snake-sacrifice?
O Sauti, tell us in full the true story. Why did the best of the twice-born Astika, the foremost of ascetics, rescue the snakes from the blazing fire?
Whose son was the monarch who performed the Snake-sacrifice? Whose son was that best of the twice-born, (who saved the snakes)? Tell us this.
Sauti said:
O best of speakers, the story of Astika is very long, I shall relate it in full. O Listen.
Shaunaka said:
I am desirous of hearing in detail the interesting history of Astika, the illustrious Brahmana.
Sauti said:
The Brahmanas call this history, recited by Krishna Dvaipayana, a Purana. To the dwellers of Namisharanya.
Was it formerly narrated by my learned father Lomaharshana, the disciple of Vyasa, as requested by the Brahmanas.
I was present at the time, O Shaunaka, As you ask me, I shall recite it exactly as I heard it.
(Listen) to this all sin-destroying history. Astika's father was as powerful as the
Prajapati.
He was a Brahmachari, always engaged in austere penances, regular in meals, a great Rishi of controlled sexual desire. He was known by the name of Jaratkaru.
He was the foremost of Yayavaras, a man of rigid vows, highly religious and endowed with great ascetic powers. Once at a time this great ascetic,
Being Yatra Sayan Griha (living in the place where night overtook him), roamed all over the world, bathed in many sacred waters and visited many holy shrines.
He practised difficult austere penances; and feeding on air, remaining in fast and renouncing sleep forever, he roamed (over the world.)
As bright as a blazing fire, he roamed about and thus roving about, he one day saw his ancestors,
Hanging their heads down in a great hole, their feet pointing upwards. On seeing them, Jaratkaru addressed his ancestors thus,
"Who are you thus hanging in the hole, your heads downward, by a rope of the Virana fibre which has been eaten by the rats that live secretly near this hole?"
The Ancestors said :
We are Rishis of austere penances, called Yayavara. We are sinking down into the earth for the want of an offspring.
We have a son, named Jaratkaru. Unfortunate we are, that wretch has adopted asceticism.
And therefore that fool does not think of marriage to raise up offspring. It is for this reason, namely the want of offspring that we are thus suspended in the hole.
Having means, we are like sinners who have no means. O excellent man, who are you that are sorrowing for us like a friend?
O Brahmana, we wish to know who you are that stand near us and why? O excellent man, are you sorrowing for us?
Jaratkaru said :
You are my sires and grand-sires. I am that very Jaratkaru. Tell me what I shall do.
The Ancestors said:
Try your best to do that by which you can raise up an offspring to extend our line. You will then do an act meritorious both for you and for us.
O Son, not by the fruits of virtue, not by the hoarded-up ascetic penances, does one acquire such merit as is acquired by one who is a father.
Therefore, O son, set your mind upon marriage and offspring at our command. It will do us the highest good.
Jaratkaru said :
I shall not marry, nor shall I earn money for my own self. But I shall marry to do you good.
If a bride can be had whose name will be the same as mine, whose friends will give her to me willingly and as a gift, O fathers, under these conditions, if I get a girl, your command will be obeyed. I shall duly marry her according to the ordinances of the Shastras.
But who will give his daughter to a poor man like me to be my wife? I shall, however, accept the girl who will be given to me a gift.
O sires, I shall try to marry such a girl. Having said so, I shall not act otherwise.
O fathers, I shall begot offspring on her for your release, so that you may attain to the heaven, called Shashvata and rejoice there at will.
Sauti said :
The Brahmana of hard austerities (Jaratkaru) roamed over the world for a wife, but wife did not get.
One day he went into the forest and remembering the words of his ancestors, he thrice begged for a bride in a faint voice.
Thereupon, Vasuki appeared and offered his sister for the Rishi's acceptance. But the Rishi hesitated to accept her, thinking her to be not of the same name with himself.
The high-souled Jaratkaru thought within himself, "I will take none for my wife who does not bear my name."
Then Jaratkaru, the great ascetic of rigid austerities, said, "O snake tell me truly what is the name of your sister?"
Vasuki said :
O Jaratkaru, my sister's name is also Jaratkaru. Given as a gift by me, accept this girl of slender waist for your wife. O best of the twice born, I had kept her in reserve for you. Therefore, take her.
Saying this he offered his beautiful sister to Jaratkaru, who then married her according to the ordained rites.
Sauti said :
O foremost of Brahma knowing men, the mother of the snakes, in the days of yore, cursed the Naga race, saying, "He whose chari- oteer is wind (Agni) will consume you at Janamejaya's sacrifice.
To neutralise the effect of that curse, the best of snakes (Vasuki) married his sister to the high-souled Rishi of rigid vow.
Accepting her according to the ordained rites, he begot on her a high-souled son, called Astika,
Who was a great ascetic, who was vastly learned in the Vedas and the Vedangas, who removed the fears of his parents and who saw everything with an equal eye.
Then after a long time, a descendant of the Pandavas, celebrated a great sacrifice, known as the Snake-sacrifice.
When the sacrifice for the destruction of the snakes had begun, the great ascetic Astika rescued the Nagas,
His brothers, his maternal uncles and other snakes. He also delivered his fathers by begetting a child.
O Brahmana, he freed himself from their debts by rigid austerities, by various vows and the study of the Vedas. He propitiated the celestial by sacrifices in which various presents were made.
He pleased the Rishi by his Brahmacharya and his ancestors by begetting offspring. Thus discharging the heavy debt that he owed to his ancestors.
Jaratkaru, of great austerity, attained heaven with his forefathers. Begetting the son, Astika and acquiring great religious merit, the best of the Munis,
The greatly noble Jaratkaru, after a long course of years, went to heaven. This is the story of Astika. I have briefly narrated it (to you). Now, tell me, O best of the Bhrigu race, what else I shall narrate.
Shaunaka said:
O Sauti, once more relate to us in detail the history of the learned and virtuous Astika. Great is our curiosity to hear it.
O gentle one, you speak very sweetly with proper accent and emphasis. We are very much, pleased with your speech. You speak like your (late) father.
Your father was always ready to please us. Tell us, therefore, the story that your father had related.
Sauti said :
O long-lived ones, I shall narrate the story of Astika as I heard it from my father.
O Brahmana, in the golden age Prajapati had two fair daughters. O sinless one, the two sisters were endued with great beauty.
They were named Kadru and Vinata and they were the wives of Kashyapa. Their husband, who like Prajapati, having been pleased with them, gave each a boon
Kashyapa derived much happiness from his wives. Hearing that their husband Kashyapa was willing to bestow on them boons.
The most beautiful damsels felt a transport of joy. Kadru wished to have one thousand snakes as her sons, all of equal splendour.
Vinata asked for two sons, more in strength, energy, size and prowess than the sons of Kadru.
On her did her husband bestow the boon of the desired sons; and Vinata said to him, “Be it so.”
Vinata, having got the boon as she requested, was much pleased and having obtained two greatly powerful sons, she regarded herself gratified.
Kadru also obtained one thousand sons, all of equal splendour. "Bear the embryos carefully." So saying the great ascetic Kashyapa went into the forest, leaving his two wives much gratified with his boons.
Sauti said :
O best of Brahmanas, after a long time. Kadru gave birth to one thousand eggs and Vinata two eggs.
Their maid servants kept them separately in warm vessels and thus five hundred years passed away.
After five hundred years, the sons of Kadru came out of the eggs, but Vinata's eggs did not produce anything.
Thereupon the ascetic lady desiring the sons, Vinata, feeling shame, broke open one of the eggs and saw her offspring,
As an embryo with the upper part developed, but the lower part undeveloped. Thereupon the child grew angry and cursed its mother, saying,
"O mother, as you have prematurely broken this egg and did not allow my body to be fully developed, being jealous (of Kadru), you will have to serve as the slave (of that very Kadru).
O mother, if you wait with patience five thousand years and do not destroy the other egg, the illustrious child within it will deliver you from your slavery.
O mother, if you are desirous of having your son strong, take tender care of the egg for five thousand years.
Thus cursing his mother Vinata, the child rose to the sky. O Brahmana, Aruna (this child) became the charioteer of the Sun and he is to be seen in the hour of the morning. At the stipulated time was also born the snake-eater Garuda.
As soon as he was born, he left his mother and the king of the birds, being hungry, mounted on his wings to seek for the food assigned to him by the great Ordainer.
Sauti said :
O ascetic Rishi, about this time the two sisters one day saw Uchaishrava approaching towards them.
(It was horse) who was worshipped by the celestial, who was the gem among all horses, who rose at the churning of the ocean for the Ambrosia,
Who was divine, graceful, ever-young, irresistible, vigorous, who was creator's masterpiece and who was blessed with all the auspicious marks.
Why and where did the celestial churn the ocean for the Ambrosia, in which did rise, as you say, this best of steeds, so powerful and resplendent? Tell me this.
Sauti said :
There is a very great mountain, called Meru of blazing and effulgent appearance. The rays of the sun are scattered away when they fall on its golden summit.
Decked with gold and exceedingly beautiful, this mountain is frequented by the Devas and Gandharvas; it is immeasurable and unapproachable by men of many sins.
It is illuminated with many medicinal plants and fearful beasts of prey roam on its heights.
It is unapproachable even by mind; it is graced with many trees and stream-lets and resounds with the sweet melody of innumerable birds.
It stands high for infinite ages. Once did the celestial sit on its golden summit and held a conclave.
They, who had practised penances and observed vows, came in quest of the Ambrosia. They consulted together about the possession of the Ambrosia and seeing them in this mood Narayana addressed Brahma saying;
"Churn the ocean with both the Devas and the Asuras. By doing so, the Ambrosia and all drugs and gems will be obtained. O celestial, churn the ocean you will get the Ambrosia.
Sauti said :
There is a mountain called Mandara with peaks like the clouds. It is the best of mountains and adorned with innumerable creepers.
On it do many birds pour forth their melody and may beasts of prey roam about; it is frequented by the Kinnaras, Apsaras and celestial.
It rises eleven thousand Yojanas upwards and descends eleven thousand Yojanas downwards.
The celestial, having failed to uproot it, came to Vishnu and Brahma who were sitting together and said to them.
"Devise some means you yourselves. Do try to uproot Mandara for our good."
O son of Bhrigu, "Let it be so" said both Narayana and Brahma. The lotus-eyed (Vishnu) laid the hard task on the king of the snakes, (Ananta).
Being directed by both Brahma and Narayana to do it, the mighty Ananta uprooted the mountain with all the woods and the denizens of woods that were on it.
Then came all the celestial with Ananta to the shores of the ocean, Addressing it they said, “O Ocean, we have come to churn you for the Ambrosia.
The ocean replied, "Be it so, as I shall get a share of it. I am quite able to bear the great agitation arising out of the churning of my water by Mandara.
The Devas and the Danavas then went to the Tortoise king and said, "You will have to hold the mountain on your back."
The Tortoise king having agreed, Indra placed that mountain on its back by means of instruments.
The Devas and the Danavas having made Mandara the churning staff and Vasuki the rope. O Brahmana, in days of yore, began to churn the ocean for the Ambrosia. The Asuras held him by the head and the Devas by the tail.
And Ananta, who was a manifested form of Narayana, again and again raised and lowered the hood of the Naga.
On account of the great agitation, received at the hands of the celestial, black vapours with flames issued from the mouth of the Naga Vasuki.
From these vapours were created clouds with lightning; and they poured showers on the tired celestial who were thus refreshed.
The flowers that fell from the trees on the mountain-sides on the Devas and the Danavas also refreshed them.
There rose from Mandara, dragged by the Devas and the Danavas, a terrible roar like the roar of the clouds (at the Universal dissolution).
Various aquatic animals were crushed by the great mountain and gave up their lives in the salt sea.
Many denizens of the lower region and those of the land of Varuna were killed by the mountain.
From the whirling Mandara large trees, being struck at one another, were torn from their roots and fell into the ocean with all the birds (that roosted on their branches).
And great fires were produced from the mutual friction of the trees that frequently blazed up and the Mandara mountain looked like black clouds charged with lightning.
It burnt the lions, elephants and other various creatures that were on the mountain and killed them (on the spot).
Then the best of the celestial, Indra began to extinguish the blazing fire by pouring heavy showers.
Then the gums of various great trees and herbs mingled with the waters of the ocean.
The celestial became immortal by drinking the water mixed with the liquid extract of gold and those gums which had the quality of the Ambrosia.
The milky water of the churned ocean by degrees produced clarified butter by virtue of those gums and juices.
Thereupon the Devas came to the boon- granting God who was comfortably seated on his seat and said, "O Brahman, we are spent out but the Ambrosia has not yet arisen."
Except Narayana, both the Devas and the Danavas have no strength to churn the ocean (any longer).
Then did Brahmana say to Narayana, "Kindly give the celestial strength to churn the Ocean again with Mandara mountain."
Narayana said:
I grant you all necessary strength. Go, insert the mountain and churn the Ocean.
Thus hearing the words of Narayana and being re-equipped with fresh strength the celestial recommenced churning.
Then from the ocean rose the mild and brilliant Moon of thousand rays.
Then rose from ghee, the lotus-seated Lakshmi; then Shura Devi ( Wine) then the great Steed.
Then from the ghee rose the celestial gem Kaustubha which adorns the breast of Narayana. Then rose, O Brahmana, Parijata tree and Surabhi, all giver of everything.
Lakshmi, Wine, Moon, Horse (Uchchaishrava), fleet as the mind, all directed by Aditya went to the place where the celestial were.
Then rose the divine Dhanvantari with a white vessel in his hand and (there in that vessel) was the Ambrosia.
Seeing this wonderful phenomenon, the Danavas raised a great uproar for the Ambrosia, saying "It is ours."
Then rose the great elephant Airavata, with two white tusks and a huge body and he was seized by the wielder of thunder (Indra).
The churning was still continued; and then appeared deadly poison, which soon covered the whole earth and blazed up like a fire with fumes.
The three worlds were stupified by its terrible smell; and then Shiva, asked by Brahma, swallowed it to save the creation.
The great Deity Maheshvara of Mantra-form held it in his throat and it is said that from the very day he was called Nilkantha (blue- throat).
Seeing all those wonderful phenomena, the Danavas were filled with despair. They raised up great hostilities with the celestial for the possession of Lakshmi and Ambrosia.
Thereupon Narayana assumed a form of a ravishing beauty by the aid of Maya and he began a flirtation with the Danavas in the form of a female.
The foolish Danavas and Daityas becoming fully, enamoured of her, placed the Ambrosia in her hands.
Sauti said :
Then the Daityas and Danavas, in best armours and with various weapons, pursued the celestial.
In the meantime the greatly powerful Lord Vishnu, accompanied with Narayana, took away the Ambrosia from the mighty Danavas.
Thereupon all the celestial, in that great struggle, drank the Ambrosia receiving it from Vishnu.
When the celestial were drinking the much longed-for Ambrosia, a Danava, named Rahu, drank it in the guise of a celestial.
When the Ambrosia has only reached his throat, Chandra and Surya (recognised him and) informed the celestial of what had happened.
Narayana immediately with his discus cut off the well-adorned head of the Danava who was drinking the Ambrosia.
The huge head of the Danava, cut off by the discus, rose up to the sky like a mountain peak and it uttered terrible cries.
The headless body of the Danava fell on the earth, shaking it with all her mountains, forests and islands.
From that day a great enmity was created between the head of Rahu and Chandra and Surya. To this day it swallows Chandra and Surya (causing eclipses. )
Then Hari, quitting his matchless female form, made the Danavas tremble by hurling at them various weapons.
Thus began the terrible battle between the Devas and Danavas on the shores of the salt sea.
Thousands of sharp javelins and lances and various other weapons were hurled on all sides.
Cut by the discus and wounded by swords, darts and maces, the Asuras vomited blood and lay prostrate on earth.
The heads, adorned with bright gold, cut off by the discus, fell continually in the fearful battle.
The great Asuras, covered with blood, lay dead everywhere and they looked like red dyed mountain peaks.
When the sun grew red, the piteous cries of distress issued from everywhere and from the dying Asuras.
The roars, of the warriors that cut one another down by missiles when at a distance and by blows of their fists when at close quarters, rose to the sky.
"Cut down," "pierce them", "pursue", "advance" these fearful war-cries were heard everywhere.
When this fearful battle was raging, Nara and Narayana entered the field.
Seeing the celestial bow in the hand of Nara, Narayana thought of his Danava destroying discus.
As soon as it was thought of the discus Sudarshana, the destroyer of enemies, effulgent as Agni and dreadful in battle, came down from the sky.
When it came, Achyuta, of fearful energy (Narayana) as bright as the blazing fire, with arms like the trunk of an elephant, hurled with great force that weapon, as bright as the blazing fire, dreadful, of extraordinary lustre, capable of destroying hostile towns.
That discus, blazing like the fire at the great dissolution of the universe being hurled by the hand of Narayana, continually falling everywhere, destroyed the Daityas and the Danavas by thousands.
Sometimes it blazed like fire and consumed them all; sometimes it struck them down like a goblin; sometimes it drank the blood of the slain Danavas as it travelled through earth and sky.
The greatly powerful and bold Danavas, looking like the rainless clouds, rose to the sky and continually hurled down thousands of mountains, on the celestial, thus harassing them (with terrible vengeance).
And those fearful mountains, with their forests and flat tops, like masses of clouds, fell from the sky, collided with one another and produced a tremendous roar.
And when thousands of warriors continually shouted on the field of battle and mountains, with forests thereon, fell all around, the earth with her forests began to tremble.
Then the divine Nara, appearing in the fearful battle of the Asuras and Ganas and reducing to dust those mountains by means of his gold-headed arrows, covered the heavens with dust.
Then the mightily Danavas, having been overpowered by the celestial and having seen the fearful discuss roving over the fields of heaven like a blazing fire, entered into the bowels of the earth; and some of them plunged into the salt-sea.
The celestial, having gained the victory, placed with due respect Mandara on its own base; and the clouds, making the heaven resound with their shouts, when to their own abodes.
The celestial returning to heaven, were greatly rejoiced and kept the Ambrosia in great care. Indra and other celestial made over the vessel containing Ambrosia to Nara to keep it with all care.
Sauti said :
Thus have I narrated to you how the Ambrosia was churned out of the Ocean, in which the beautiful and powerful horse (Uchchaishrava) was produced.
Respecting this horse Kadru asked Vinata, saying, “Tell me, sister, without delay, what is the colour of Uchchaishrava?"
Vinata said :
This king of the horses is of white colour. What colour do you think, sister? Say what is its colour; let us lay a wager on it.
Kadru said :
O sweet lady of smiles, I think the horse is black in its tail. Let us lay this wager that she, whose words will be untrue, will become the slave of the other.
Sauti said :
Thus wagering that one will be the slave of the other, they went home, saying “We shall see the horse tomorrow."
Wishing to play a deception, Kadru ordered her thousand sons to be black hair;
And speedily cover the horse's tail so that she might not become a slave. But on their refusal to do her bidding. She cursed the snakes, saying,
“In the Snake-sacrifice of the royal sage, wise Janamejaya of the Pandava race Agni will consume you all.
The Grandsire (Brahma) himself heard this exceedingly cruel curse, denounced by Kadru, impelled by Fate.
And he (Brahma), out of kindness for creatures and seeing that the snakes had enormously multiplied, approved of this curse with all the deities.
"Considering their virulent poison, excessive strength, great prowess, biting propensity, their mother's curse had been very proper for the good of all creatures.
"Fate always inflicts death on those who seek the death of others." Talking thus, the celestial much praised Kadru.
Then calling Kashyapa, the Deity said. “O sinless one, O powerful one, the snakes of virulent poison, of huge bodies and of biting propensity whom you have begotten have been cursed by their mother. O child, you should not be least sorry for it.
The destruction of the snakes in the sacrifice (of Janamejaya) has been told in the Purana." Saying this, the Divine creator of the Universe propitiated Kashyapa and bestowed on that great man the knowledge of neutralising poison.
Sauti said :
O Rishi, when the night was gone and the rose in the morning, the sisters, Kadru and Vinata.
Having laid an wager of slavery and burning in jealously, started to see the horse Uchchaishrava.
On their way they saw the great ocean, vast and deep, agitated by wind, making a tremendous roar.
It was full of whales, fishes large enough to swallow whales, Makaras, tortoises and creatures of various forms by thousands.
It was inaccessible by any creatures on account of the presence of terrible, monster-shaped, dark and fierce aquatic animals. It was full of crocodiles and tortoises.
It abounded with all kinds of gems; it was the home of Varuna, the beautiful and excellent abode of the Nagas; it was the lord of all rivers.
It was the abode of subterranean fire, the friend of the Asuras, the terror of all creatures, the great reservoir of waters, having no deterioration.
It was holy, it was beneficial to the celestial, it was the great mine of Ambrosia, it was infinite, inconceivable, sacred and highly wonderful.
It was fearful with the terrible roars of acquatic creatures, tremendously roaring and full of deep whirlpools. It was an object of terror to all creatures.
Moved by winds, heaving high with agitation and disturbance, it seemed to dance everywhere with uplifted hands represented by its waves.
It was full of heaving billows, caused by the changes of the moon, it was the parent of (the great conch of Krishna) Panchajanya, it was the great mine of gems.
It was in days of yore disturbed by the greatly powerful Lord Govinda (Vishnu) when he assumed the form, of a boar for raising the earth.
The Rishi Atri of great austerity could not fathom its bottom, lower than the nether regions, though he tried to do it for one thousand years.
It became the bed of lotus-navelled Vishnu when at the end of every Yuga the immeasurably powerful Deity fell asleep in spiritual meditation.
It was the asylum which (the hill) Mainaka took under the fear of the falling thunder. It was the retreat of the Asuras, overcome (by the celestial) in the fearful battle.
It was the ghee, in the shape of its waters, in the (sacrificial) fire that issued forth from the mouth of Varava. It was without limits, fathomless, vast, immeasurable and the lord of rivers.
They saw that thousands of great rivers were rushing into it in great pride like rivals of its love. They saw that it was full, always dancing in its waves.
They saw that it was deep and resounded with the terrible uproar of Makaras Times and other aquatic creatures; they saw it was vat, unlimited as space, unfathomable, infinite and the great reservoir of waters.
Sauti said :
The Nagas, after a consultation came to the conclusion that they should obey their mother's command, for if her wish was nor gratified, she, abandoning her love towards them, would burn them all.
If she was gratified, she might free them from curse. They said:- "We shall undoubtedly make the horse's hair black."
It is said that they then went and became hairs on the tail of the horse (Uchchaishrava). In the mean time the two co-wives laid the wager.
And having laid the wager, O best of Brahmanas, the two sisters proceeded in great delight to the other side of the great ocean.
Kadru and Vinata, the daughters of Daksha, saw on their way the ocean, incapable of being easily disturbed.
(But) greatly agitated all on a sudden by the wind. (It was) terribly roaring, full of Timingils and Makaras.
And thousand other creatures of various forms; it was frightful for the presence of horrible monsters; it was inaccessible, fearful and terrible,
The mine of all gems, the home of Varuna, the beautiful habitation of the Nagas, the Lord of rivers,
The abode of subterranean fire, the home of the Asuras and many fearful creatures, the reservoir of waters.
It was holy, the great receptacle of the Ambrosia of the celestial, immeasurable and inconceivable, full of holy waters.
Filled with many thousands of rivers and thus disturbed, dancing in its waves.
Such was the ocean full of liquid waves, (it was) vast as the sky, deep, lighted with the flames of subterranean fire, roaring; they (the sisters) passed quickly over it.
Sauti said :
Kadru, of swift speed, accompanied by Vinata, having crossed the ocean, very soon came to the horse.
They then saw that swift and the best of horses, as white as the rays of the moon but with black hairs (in the tail).
Seeing many black hairs in the tail, Kadru put much dejected Vinata into slavery.
Thus having lost wager, Vinata became a slave exceedingly sorry.
Meanwhile, when the time came. Garuda of great splendour came out bursting the egg without the help of his mother.
He enkindled all the points of the universe, he was the bird endowed with strength, capable of assuming any form at will, of going every where at will and calling any amount of energy to action at will.
He looked terrible like a heap of blazing fire, of lustre equal to that of the fire at the end of Yuga. His eyes were bright like the flush of lightning.
As soon as born, the huge bird, increasing his body, rose to the sky, fearfully roaring like a second ocean-fire.
All the celestial seeing him, sought the protection of Vibhavasu (Agni). They bowed down to that Deity of Universal form who was seated on his seat and addressed him thus:
"O Agni, do not extend your body. Have you resolved to consume us? Lo, the huge heap of your flames is spreading wide!"
Agni said :
O persecutors of the Asuras, it is not as you think. It is mighty Garuda, equal to me in splendour.
He is born endued with great energy to promote the joy of Vinata. Seeing this heap of effulgence, your this delusion has come (in you).
He is the mighty son of Kashyapa, he is the destroyer of the Nagas, the enemy of the Daityas and Rakshasas, he is ever engaged to do good to the celestial.
Do not be afraid in the least. Come with me and see him.
Sauti said :
Thus asked, the celestial went with the Rishis towards Garuda and from a distance addressed him thus.
The Celestials said:
O Lord of birds, you are a Rishi, you are the partaker of the largest portion of the sacrifice, you are Deity. You are Lord, you are the sun of hot rays, you are Parameshti, you are Prajapati.
You are Indra, you are steed-necked Vishnu, you are the Lord of the universe, you are the principal, you are Brahma and Brah- manas, you are Agni, you are wind.
You are Dhata and Vidhata, you are Vishnu the best of celestial, you are the great Truth, you are fearless, you are ever unchanged, you are great glory.
You are the energy of the sun, you are the intellectual function, you are our great protector, you are the ocean of strength, you are purity, you are beyond the attributes and darkness, you are the possessor of all wrath, you are unconquerable.
From you have emanated all things, you are the doer of excellent acts. You are all that has not been and all that has been. You are pure knowledge, you display as sun by his rays, this animate and inanimate universe.
Darkening the splendour of the sun, you become the destroyer of all; you are all that is perishable and all that is imperishable. O Deity, with the splendour of fire you consume all as sun in his anger burns all creatures.
You rise like the fire which, at the changes of the Yuga and at the dissolution of the creation, destroys everything. O king of birds, having come to you, we seek your protection, you move in the sky, your energy is great, you are as mighty as the fire.
Your brightness is like the lightning. You are the dispeller of darkness, you reach the very clouds, you are mighty bird Garuda. You are both the cause and the effect, you are the dispenser of boons and invincible in prowess.
O Lord, the whole universe has become hot like the heated gold. Protect the noble celestial, who having been frightened, are flying along the heaven to all directions.
O best of birds, you are the son, of the merciful and high-souled Rishi Kashyapa, you are the lord of all, therefore do not be angry with the universe, have mercy for it. You are the Supreme Lord, assuage your anger and save us.
The ten points, the skies, the heavens, the earth and our hearts, O bird, are continuously trembling at your voice, loud as the roar of thunder. Diminish your body which is like the fire.
Our hearts, losing all equanimity, are trembling at your splendour, resembling that of the angry Yama.
O king of birds, we pray to you, be kind towards us. Bestow on us, O Bhagavana, benefit, fortune and happiness. Having been thus adored by all the celestial and Rishis, the bird, of beautiful feathers, diminished his own energy and splendour.
Sauti said :
Having heard (of the hugeness of his body) and seeing it himself, he began to diminish body.
Garuda said :
No one need be afraid of my body. As you are also very much frightened at its sight, I shall diminish it.
Sauti said :
Then the bird, capable of going every where at will and of calling all energy at will, placing his brother Aruna on his back, went from his father's house to that of his mother, (which was situated) on the other side of the ocean. He placed in the East Aruna of great splendour when the sun determined to burn the world with its fearful rays.
Ruru said :
What for did the highly noble sun resolve to burn the world? What wrongs were done to him by the celestial, that he grew angry?
Sauti said :
O sinless one, from the day on which Rahu was discovered by Surya and Chandra in the act of drinking the Ambrosia, he bore a deadly enmity towards them.
When Rahu began to devour Surya, he became angry and thought. "This enmity of Rahu has risen from my benefiting the celestial,
And I am alone to suffer from this great evil; I do not get any help at my this difficulty.
The inhabitants of the celestial regions (unconcernedly) see me devoured and they quietly brook it. Therefore, I must make an attempt to destroy the worlds. There is no doubt about it.
With this resolution Surya went to the western mountains and from that place began to scatter his scorching rays to destroy the worlds.
Thereupon the great Rishis, came to the celestial and said; "Today in the middle of the night, a fire, fearful to all creatures, will rise to destroy the universe.”
Then the celestial with the Rishis went to the Grandsire, (Brahma ) and said, "What is this great and fearful heat today?
The sun has not as yet risen, still destruction of the world is obvious. What will happen when he will rise?”
Brahma said :
The sun is ready to rise in order to destroy the worlds. As soon as he will rise he will burn everything into ashes."
I have, however, provided the remedy beforehand.
The wise son of Kashyapa, known by the name of Aruna, has a huge body. He will sit before the sun as his charioteer and will take away all his energy. This will secure the good of the world, of the Rishis and of the celestial.
Sauti said :
Thereupon Aruna, ordered by the Grandsire, did all that he was commanded to do. The sun rose covered by Aruna.
I have told you why Surya was in anger and how Aruna was appointed his charioteer. Hear next, the reply of the other question, asked by you a little while ago.
Sauti said :
Then the bird, of great strength and energy, capable of going every where at will, went to his mother on the other side of the great ocean.
There lived Vinata in great affliction after losing the wager and becoming a slave.
Sometime after on a certain day, Kadru called Vinata, who prostrated herself before her and said before her son (Garuda). "O gentle Vinata, take me to the beautiful and delightful abode of the Nagas which is situated in the deep recess of the sea."
Thereupon the mother of the bird took upon her shoulder the mother of the snakes. Garuda also, requested by his mother, took the snakes on his back.
The son, of Vinata, the bird, began to ascend towards the sun; and the snakes, scorched by the rays of the sun, all fainted away.
Seeing her sons in this plight, Kadru began to adore Indra thus : “I bow to you, O Lord of the celestial, I bow to you, O slayer of Vala.
O slayer of Namuchi, I bow to thee, O god of thousand eyes, O Lord of Sachi, save my sons, oppressed by the rays of the sun by your showers.
You are our great protector. O best of gods, O Purandara, you can grant rains in torrents.
You are Vayu, you are the clouds, you are Agni, you are the lightning in the sky, you are the propellers of the clouds and therefore you are called the great clouds.
You are the incomparable thunder, you are the roaring clouds, you are the creator and the destroyer of the worlds, you are unconquerable.
You are the light of all creatures you are Aditya and Vibhavasu, you are the highest knowledge, you are wonderful, you are king, you are the best of the celestial.
You are Vishnu, you have one thousand eyes, you are a deity, you are the final resource, you are all Ambrosia, you are the much adored Soma.
You are moments, you are the Tithis, you are the Lava you are the Kshana, you are the white fortnight, you are Kalakashtha; Truti, you are the year, seasons, months, the nights and the days.
You are the beautiful earth with its mountains and forests, you are the clear sky with the sun that drives away all darkness. You are the great ocean with heaving billows and abounding in Timingils, Timis, Makaras and various other fishes.
You are of renown, you are always adored by the wise and the great contemplative Rishis, you drink the Soma juice and the clarified butter offered with sacred invocation in the sacrifices.
You are always worshipped in the sacrifices by the Brahmanas, desirous of receiving fruits. O God of incomparable strength, you are sung in the Vedas. It is for this reason that the learned Brahmanas, engaged in sacrifices, study the Vedangas with all care."
Sauti said :
Having been thus adored by Kadru, the God, having the best horses to ride, covered all the sky with blue clouds.
He commanded the clouds saying. "Pour down your life-giving and beneficial showers." Those clouds, luminous with lightning, then poured abundant water.
On account of the wonderful and terribly roaring clouds, that incessantly begot water, the sky looked as if the end of the Yuga had come. And in consequence of myriads of waves, caused in the falling torrents, of the deep roars of the clouds, the flashing of lightnings, the violence of the wind and the general agitation, the sky looked, as if it was dancing in madness.
The sky thus became dark, the rays of the sun and the moon disappeared on account of the incessant downpour. And upon Indra's causing this downpour, the Nagas became exceedingly delighted.
The world became full of water; the cool and clear water reached even the nether regions.
When there became countless watery waves, the snakes with their mother reached the island called Ramaniyaka.
Sauti said :
The Nagas became exceedingly glad on being wetted by the great shower; and carried by the bird (Garuda) they soon arrived at the island.
That island was assigned by the creator as the abode of Makaras. Coming there they first the fearful Lavana.
They with Garuda saw the charming woods, washed by the waters of the sea and resounding with the music of the birds.
There were beautiful trees full of various fruits and flowers, there were also charming mansions and many tanks with lotuses.
It was adorned with many beautiful lakes of pure water; it was refreshed with sweet incense-breathing breezes.
It was adorned with many trees that only grow on the Malaya hill, as high as the high heavens. It, being shaken by the breeze, dropped showers of flowers.
There were also various other trees whose flowers were scattered about by the breeze. It seemed as if these trees bathed the Nagas with a shower of rain in the shape of their flowers.
It was charming, beautiful and dear to the Gandharvas and always gave them pleasure. It was full of bees intoxicated with the honey they sucked. The sight of its appearance was exceedingly beautiful.
It was beautiful, beneficial, holy and charming to all. Echoing with the sweet notes of various birds, it much delighted the sons of Kadru.
Having arrived at that forest, the snakes very much enjoyed themselves and then they commanded the king of the birds, Garuda of great strength.
"Take us to some other beautiful islands with pure water. O bird, you must have seen many beautiful countries when coursing through the sky.”
Having reflected for some time he (Garuda) asked his mother. "Why, O mother, am I to do the bidding of these snakes?"
Vinata said :
O best of birds, from misfortune. I have become a slave of my husband's second wife. The snakes caused me to lose the wager by deception; and thus have I become a slave.
When his mother told him the reason, the bird in great sorrow said to the snakes.
“Tell me, O snakes, by bringing what, or gaining what knowledge or doing what great work, we may be freed from this state of slavery.
Sauti said :
Having heard him the snakes said, "Bring the Ambrosia by force. Then, O bird, you will be freed from slavery."
Sauti said :
Thus told by the snakes, Garuda said to his mother, "I shall go to bring the Ambrosia, but I wish to eat something. Tell me where to get it.”
Vinata said :
The Nishadas have their homes in a remote place in the midst of the ocean. Eat thousands of Nishadas and bring the Ambrosia.
But let not your heart be ever set on killing a Brahmana. A Brahmana is not to be killed amongst all creatures; he is like the fire.
A Brahmana, when angry; becomes like the fire or the sun or the poison or a sharp weapon. A Brahmana is declared to be the Lord of all creature. For these and other reasons the Brahmana is adored of all.
O child, he is never to be killed by you even if you be angry. Enmity with Brahmanas is never proper under any circumstances.
O sinless one, neither fire nor the sun does consume so much as does a Brahman of rigid austerity when angry.
You must know a good Brahmana by these indications. A Brahmana is the first-born of all creatures, the best of four castes, the father, master and teacher of all.
Garuda said :
O mother, what form a Brahmana has ? What is his character and what is his power? Does he shine like fire or is he of gentle men?
O mother, you should tell me, who ask you, the auspicious indications by which I shall be able to recognise a Brahmana
Vinata said :
O son, know him to be a Brahmana who will torture you like a fishhook, or burn you like a hot charcoal, when he will enter into your throat.
You must not kill a Brahmana even in anger." Out of affection for her son Vinata again said,
"Know him to be a good Brahmana, who will not be digested in your stomach." Vinata again repeated those words from the great love she bore for her son.
Sauti said :
Though she knew the matchless strength of her son, yet being exceedingly sorrowful and gentle and deceived by the Nagas, Vinata heartily blessed him, ( saying)
Vinata said :
Let Maruta protect your wings, let Chandra and Surya protect your back; let Agni protect your head and the Vasus your whole body.
I also, my son, shall somewhere, wishing for your good and being engaged in ceremonies that will produce you good. Go then, my son, in safety to accomplish your purpose.
Sauti said :
Having heard what his mother said, Garuda stretched his wings and rose to the skies and then being endued with great strength like another he soon came upon the Nishadas, becoming exceedingly like Yama.
Bent upon destroying the Nishadas he raised up a great storm of dust that covered the whole sky. He sucked up water from the ocean and shook the trees growing on adjacent mountains.
Then the king of birds, opening his great mouth, stopped the road of the Nishadas and the Nishadas too went into his open mouth flying in fright.
As birds in great affliction rise by thousands into the skies when the trees of the forest are shaken in a great storm, so the Nishadas, blinded by the dust raised by the storm, entered into the wide-opened mouth of the great snake-eater.
Then the hungry bird, the chastiser of his enemies, who is endued with great strength and who moves with the greatest speed to achieve his end, closed his mouth, thereby killing thousands of Nishadas who followed the occupation of fishermen.
Sauti said :
a Brahmana with his wife had entered into his throat and he began to burn the bird's throat like a flaming piece of charcoal. The great bird addressed him thus,
“O best of the twice born, soon come out of my mouth. I open it for you. A Brahmana will never be killed by me, even if he is always engaged in sinful acts."
When Garuda addressed the Brahmana thus, he said, “Let my wife who is a Nishada come out with me.”
Garuda said :
Take the Nishada with you and come out at once. Save yourself without delay for you are not yet digested by the heat of my stomach.
Sauti said :
Thereupon the Brahmana came out with the Nishada woman and eulogising Garuda went to the country where he desired to go.
When the Brahman with his wife came out, the king of the birds, fleet as mind, stretching his wings, rose to the sky.
He then saw his father and hailed by him, made him proper answer. And the great Rishi then asked him.
Kashyapa said:
My son, are you doing well? Do you get sufficient food every day. Is there plenty of food for you in the world of men?
Garuda said :
My mother is well; and so is my brother and so am I. But, father, I do not get sufficient food and therefore my happiness is not complete.
I have sent by the snakes to get the Ambrosia, which is not easy to get. (However) I shall bring it to-day in order to emancipate my mother from her slavery.
My mother commanded me to eat the Nishadas. I have eaten them by thousands, but my hunger is not appeased.
O great one, point out to me some other food, by eating which, O Lord, I can bring the Ambrosia by force. You should point out some food which can appease my hunger and thirst.
Kashyapa said:
This lake you see before you is very sacred. It is even known in the celestial regions. There is an elephant with its face downwards continually dragging a tortoise which is his elder brother.
I shall speak to you in detail their hostility in the former life. Hear from me the true story, the proof of which is their presence here.
There was in the olden time a great Rishi, named Vibhavasu, who was of exceedingly angry disposition. He had a younger brother, named Supratika, a great ascetic.
That great Rishi was not willing to keep his wealth joint with his brother, Supratika always spoke of a partition.
Some time after Vibhavasu told his brother Supratika, "It is from foolishness, blinded by wealth, that many wish to divine (paternal) wealth.
But as soon as it is partitioned, they begin to quarrel from the blindness arising from wealth. And enemies in the guise of friends, cause estrangement between ignorant and selfish brothers. They confirm their quarrels by pointing out faults and thus they fall one by one.
Absolute ruin very soon overtakes those (brothers) that are separated. Therefore, good men never approve of the partition amongst brothers,
Who, when divided, do not have any regard for Shastras or Gurus. As you, without regarding my advice, impelled by the desire of separation, wish to partition for wealth,
For this, O Supratika, you will become an elephant." Thus being cursed Supratika told Vibhavasu,
“You will become an aquatic tortoise.” Thus being cursed by each other Supratika and Vibhavasu,
Both fools now live as a tortoise and an elephant. Owing to their wrathful nature they have both become inferior animals.
They are both engaged in hostilities with each other. Proud of their great strength and the weight of their body, in this lake, these two huge creatures are now engaged in their old hostilities.
Look, the handsome elephant is coming to the lake. Hearing his roar the huge tortoise rises up, violently agitating the water of the lake; and seeing him the elephant, coiling his trunk, rushes into the water.
The greatly powerful elephant, with the motion of his tusks and fore-part of his trunk and with tail and feet, violently agitates the water of the lakes full of fishes.
The greatly powerful tortoise also, with its head up, comes to the fight. The elephant is six Yojanas in height and twice that measure in circumference.
The tortoise is also three Yojanas in height and his circumference is ten Yojanas. Eat up both of these animals, madly engaged in battle and bent upon killing each other.
(After eating them), accomplish the task you desire to perform. Eating the fearful elephant which looks like a huge mountain and a huge mass of clouds, go and bring the Ambrosia.
Sauti said :
Having said this to Garuda, he blessed him, saying,
“O oviparous one, let good come to you when you engage in battle with the celestial. Let water-pots filled to the brim, let Brahmanas, kine and other auspicious objects bless you. In the battle with the powerful celestial,
Let Riks, Yajus, Shaman, the sacred sacrificial ghee, all the mysteries and all the Vedas become your strength."
Having been thus addressed by his father, Garuda went to the side of the lake. He saw it full of clear water and full of birds of various kinds flying all around.
Remembering his father's words, the swift- flying great bird seized the elephant and the tortoise, one in each claw.
The great bird then soared high into the sky. Coming to a holy shrine, called Alamba, he saw many celestial trees.
Struck by the wind raised by his wings, the trees began to tremble in fear. Those trees, with golden boughs, feared that they would be broken down.
Thereupon the bird, seeing the trees that are capable of giving everything, were trembling in fear, went to other trees of matchless appearance.
And those big trees were adorned with fruits of gold and silver; and with branches of precious gems; and they were washed by the waters of the sea. There was a big banian amongst them.
The great tree spoke to the best of the birds, who was flying away with the speed of the mind, saying,
"Sit down on this big branch of mine which extends a hundred Yojanas; and eat the elephant and the tortoise."
When the best of birds, huge as a huge mountain and of great swiftness, alighted on the tree, the abode of thousands of birds, it trembled; and the bough, full of leaves, was broken.
Sauti said :
The moment the branch of the tree was touched by the greatly powerful Garuda with his feet, it broke down. As it was about to fall, it was caught by him.
As he cast his eyes in wonder on the broken branch of the tree, he saw that the Valkhilya Rishis were hanging form it, with their heads downwards.
Having seen the holy Rishis thus suspended, he said to himself, "These Rishis of great penances must not be killed.
If the bough fell down, the Rishis will be killed." Reflecting thus, the mighty bird held more firmly the elephant and the tortoise.
The king of birds, from the fear of killing the Rishis and from the desire of saving them held the bough in his beaks and rose on his wings.
The great Rishis, seeing this act which was beyond the powers of the celestial, was filled with wonder and they gave the great bird a name.
They said "As this great bird rises on its wings with a heavy burden, let the best of the birds, the eater of snakes, be called Garuda."
Then shaking the mountains, the bird slowly moved onward in the sky and when he was thus going he saw many countries underneath.
Wishing to save the Valkhilyas he could not find a (proper) place to sit on. At last he went to that best of mountains, called Gandhamadana.
There did he saw his father, Kashyapa, engaged in ascetic devotions. His father also saw that great bird of divine form.
And of great splendour, strength and energy, as swift as the wind or the mind, huge as a mountain peak, a ready smiter as a curse of a Brahmana,
Inconceivable, indescribable, fearful to all creatures possessed of great powers, terrible, as full of splendour as Agni himself.
Incapable of being overcome by the Devas and Danavas, capable of splitting mountains and of sucking the ocean,
Capable of destroying the three worlds and as fierce-looking as Yama himself. The greatly illustrious Kashyapa, seeing him approach and knowing his intention, thus addressed him,
Kashyapa said:
My son, do not commit a rash act, for you will then have to suffer pain. The Valkhilyas, that support on the rays of the sun, if angry, can blast you.
Sauti said :
Therefore, Kashyapa for the snake of his son, propitiated the fortunate, greatly exceedingly ascetic and sinless Valkhilyas.
Kashyapa said:
O great Rishis, the rise of Garuda is for the good of all creatures. He is trying to accomplish a great act and therefore, you should give him permission.
Sauti said :
The great ascetics, having been thus addressed by the illustrious Kashyapa, quitting the bough, went to the sacred Himalayas to observe ascetic penances.
When the Rishis went away, the son of Vinata, his voice choked by the bough in his beaks, asked his father Kashyapa,
“O illustrious one, where shall I throw this great bough of the tree ? O illustrious one, point me a place where there is no man."
Kashyapa told him of a mountain without human beings, with caves and dales, always covered with snow and inaccessible by ordinary men even in thought.
The great bird, carrying the bough, the elephant and the tortoise, proceeded in great speed towards that mountain of broad waist.
The great bough with which the huge bird flew away could be girt round with a cord made of a hundred hides.
The king of the birds, Garuda, flew away one hundred thousand Yojanas in the shortest time.
Going almost within a moment to the mountains as directed by his father, the bird let fall the great bough. And it fell with a great noise.
That king of the mountains trembled, having been struck with the storm, raised by Garuda's wings. The trees thereon dropped showers of flowers.
And the peaks of that great mountain, decked with gems and gold, were loosened and fell down on all sides.
The falling bough struck down many trees, which, with golden flowers amid their dark leaves, looked like clouds charged with lightning.
And these trees, bright as gold, falling down upon the ground and dyed with the mountain metals, looked as if they were bathed in the rays of the sun.
Then the best of birds sat on the summit of that mountain and ate both the elephant and the tortoise.
The son of Tarkshya (Garuda), having thus eaten the elephant and the tortoise, rose on his wings from the top of that mountain summit.
Various evil omens appeared before the celestial foreboding fear. Indra's thunder-bolt blazed up in a fright.
Meteors with flames and smoke, loosened from the welkin, shot down during the day; and the weapons of the Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Sadhyas, the Maruts and of all other classes of celestial began to fight among one another.
Such things had never happened, Do, not even during the war between the Devas and the Danavas. The winds blew with thunder; meteors fell in thousands;
The cloudless sky made a tremendous roar. Even he who was the god of the gods, dropped blood,
The garlands in the necks of the celestial grew pale and dim and their splendour was lost. And terrible masses of clouds vomited thick showers of blood.
The dust, raised by the winds, darkened the splendour of the coronets worn by the celestial. Thereupon, Indra with the other celestial, perplexed with fear on account of these evil omens, addressed Brihaspati thus.
Indra said :
O illustrious one, why have these great disasters suddenly arisen? I do not see any enemy who will oppress us in a war.
Brihaspati said:
O king of the celestial, O Shatakratu, it is from your carelessness and from your fault and owing to the penances of the illustrious Rishi Valkhilyas,
That the son of the Rishi Kashyapa and Vinata, the great bird, capable of assuming and form at will, is coming to take away the Soma.
And the strongest of all the strong, that bird is capable of taking away the Soma. Everything is possible in him. He can achieve even the unachievable.
Sauti said :
Having heard this, Indra spoke to those that guarded the Ambrosia, "A greatly powerful bird has determined to take away the Soma;
I warn you beforehand, so that he may not succeed in taking it by force. Brihaspati has told me that his strength is matchless."
The celestial, when they heard it, were astonished and they took precautions. They stood surrounding the Ambrosia and the greatly powerful Indra stood with them, thunder-bolt in hand.
The celestial wore wonderful and greatly valuable breast-plates of gold, set with gems;
They wore bright leather armours of great toughness and wielded various sharp weapons of terrible forms,
All emitting fire with smoke and all raised up the best of the celestial.
They were armed with many discuss, iron maces, spikes, lances, tridents, battle-axes and various other sharp-pointed missiles, polished swords and maces of terrible forms, all suited to their respective bodies.
Armed with these bright weapons and adorned with all celestial ornaments, the celestial, having their fear allayed, waited there (ready to meet Garuda).
The celestial of matchless strength, energy and splendour, capable of splitting the cities of the Asuras, displayed themselves in forms resplendent as the blazing fire; they all re- solved to protect the Ambrosia (at all hazard).
And in consequence of the celestial' standing there and owing to hundreds of thousands of maces furnished with iron spokes, that battle-field looked like another firmament illuminated by the rays of the sun.
Shaunaka said:
O son of Suta, what was the fault of Indra and what was his carelessness? How was Garuda born owing to the penances of the Valakhilyas?
Why had Kashyapa, a Brahmana, the king of the birds for his son? Why was he invincible of all creatures and indestructible of all?
Why was that bird capable of going every where and mastering any misuse of strength at will? I am willing to hear all this, if they are narrated in the Puranas.
Sauti said :
What you ask me is narrated in the Puranas. O Brahmana, listen to them. I shall briefly narrated them all.
When Prajapati Kashyapa from the desire of begetting offspring was engaged in a sacrifice, the Rishis, the Devas and the Gandharvas all gave him help.
Indra with Valakhilya Rishis and other celestial were appointed by Kashyapa to bring fuel for the sacrifice.
And Lord Indra, taking up according to his great strength a weight which was mountain- like, brought it without any fatigue.
He saw on the way some Rishis, as small in size as the thumb, carrying one single stalk of Palasa leaf all together.
They were exceedingly learn for want of food and they were much distressed when they fell into an indentation in the road caused by the hoop of a cow.
Purandara (Indra), madly proud of his strength, saw them with surprise and laughing at them in derision, passed them, crossing over their heads and thus grossly insulting them.
On this the Rishis became exceedingly angry and was filled with sorrow. They began a great act which was a terror to Indra.
Hear, Sir, these excellent Rishi's poured ghee in the sacrificial fire loudly reciting Mantras, saying,
"There will be another Indra of all the celestial, capable of going everywhere at will mustering any measure of strength at will and imparting fear to the present Indra.
By the fruit of our penances, let there be born an Indra fearfully strong and fleet as the mind."
The Lord of the celestial Shatakratu, becoming very much alarmed, went to ask the protection of the great ascetic, the self-controlled Rishi Kashyapa.
Prajapati Kashyapa, having heard every thing from Indra, went to the Valakhilyas and asked whether their act had been successful.
Thus addressed, those truthful Rishis said, "Yes, it is done." Then Prajapati Kashyapa pacified them and said,
"The present Indra has been appointed the lord of the three worlds by Brahma. O Rishis you are also trying to create another Indra.
O excellent men, you should not make the words of Brahma untrue and I too do not wish to make your desire futile.
Let there be an Indra of the winged creatures, endued with great strength. Be gracious to Indra who is suppliant to you."
Having been thus addressed by Kashyapa, the Valakhilya Rishis saluted the great Prajapati and spoke thus,
The Valakhilyas said:
O Prajapati, our this action ( penance) is for creating an Indra. It is also meant for a son being born to you.
Let this successful act be accepted by you; and in this matter, do whatsoever you think good and proper.
Sauti said :
At this time, the good and illustrious daughter of Daksha, named Vinata, being desirous of having an offspring an having purified herself by bathing after her season of impurity, came to her husband and Kashyapa spoke to her thus.
“O Lady, the sacrifice, commenced by me, has borne fruit. What you have desired to get, you will get. Two heroic sons will be born in you who will be the lords of the three worlds.
Owing to the penances of the Valakhilyas and by virtue of the desire with which I had began my sacrifice, those sons will be of exceeding good fortune and they will be worshipped by the three worlds."
The illustrious Kashyapa again spoke to her, “Carefully bear these auspicious seeds.
These two will be the lords of all the winged creatures. They will be birds, capable of assuming and form at will and they will be great heroes, respected by all the worlds.”
The Prajapati then addressed Indra thus, "You will have two brothers of great power and strength, who will be your helps.
O Purandara, by them will no injury be done to you. Let your sorrow cease. O Indra, you will remain as the only one Indra in the world.
But let not the utterers of Brahma, Brahmanas be ever slighted by you. Let not those, whose words are like the thunderbolt, be again insulted by you.”
Having been thus addressed Indra, his fear being dispelled, went to heaven; and Vinata was much pleased, because her desire was accomplished.
She gave birth to two sons, Aruna and Garuda and the undeveloped-bodied Aruna became the fore-runner (charioteer) of the sun.
Garuda became the king of the birds. O descendent of Bhrigu, listen to his great deeds.
Sauti said :
O best of the twice born, the celestial, having stood prepared for battle (in he way already narrated), the king of the birds Garuda soon came upon them.
The celestial, having seen him of excessive strength, began to tremble in fear; and (having been confused) struck one another with all their weapons.
Amongst those that were guarding the Soma was Bhaumana (Vishvakarma) of matchless strength and of great energy. He was as effulgent as the electric fire.
But after a moment's fight he lay as dead, mangled by the king of the birds with his beaks, talons and wings.
The great bird, darkening the worlds with the dust raised by the great storm created by his wings, overwhelmed the celestial.
Having been overwhelmed with that dust, the celestial fainted away. Those that were guarding the Ambrosia could not see Garuda on account of the dust.
Thus Garuda agitated the celestial regions and mangled the celestial with his wings and beaks.
Thereupon the celestial, the god of thousand eyes (Indra), commanded Vayu, saying, “O Maruta, it is your work to drive the dust away.
Then the mighty Vayu drove the dust; and when darkness thus disappeared, the celestial attacked the bird.
When he was attacked by the celestial, he roared in the sky, like the great cloud, frightful to every creature.
The greatly powerful king of birds, the slayer of enemies, rose on his wings and stayed in the sky over the heads of the celestial, with their lord Indra, who showered on him double edged swords, iron maces, sharp lances, bright arrows and discuss of the form of the sun. Being thus attacked from every side,
The king of birds fought the great battle without being weary for a moment and the greatly powerful son of Vinata, blazing in the sky, attacked the celestial on all sides by his wings and breast and scattered them in all directions.
Mangled by the talons and the beaks of Garuda, copious blood began to flow from the bodies of the celestial.
Thus overcome by the king of birds, the Sadhyas fled with the Gandharvas towards the east, the Vasus with the Rudras towards the south,
The Adityas towards the west and the Ashvinis towards the north. Gifted with great powers, they retreated fighting and looking back every moment at their enemy.
Garuda fought with the greatly courageous Ashvakranda and Renuka, the bold Krathana and Tapana, Uluka and Shvasana, Nimesha, Praruja and Pulina.
The son of Vinata mangled them with his wings, talons and beaks, like the chastiser of foes, the angry Pinaki ( Shiva) at the end of the Yuga.
Those greatly powerful and energetic celestial, mangled all over by that great bird, looked like masses of black clouds, dropping showers of blood.
Thus making the celestial almost dead, the best of the birds went where the Ambrosia was. He saw it surrounded on all sides by fire.
The terrible flames of that fire covered whole of the sky and moved by violent winds, they bent on burning the very sun.
The illustrious Garuda assumed ninety times ninety mouths and drinking in many rivers by those mouths and coming back in great speed, having wings for his vehicle, extinguishes the fire with those rivers' water. And extinguishing that fire, he assumed a very small form, wishing to enter into the place where the Ambrosia was.
Sauti said :
The great bird, assuming a golden body, bright as the rays of the sun, entered (where the Soma was) with great force as a torrent enters the sea.
He saw near the Ambrosia a wheel, keen- edged and sharp as the razor, revolving incessantly (round it).
And that fearful instrument of fearful form, as blazing as the blazing sun, was skillfully created by the celestial to cut down the robbers of the Ambrosia.
The great bird saw a passage through it and stopped for a while. Diminishing his body within an instant, he passed through the spokes of that wheel.
He behold, within the line of the wheel, stationed there to guard the Soma, two great snakes, as blazing as the blazing fire, having tongues like lightning; power incomparable, face and eyes emitting fire, poisonous terrible, always in anger and always in activity.
Their eyes were winkless and always inflamed in anger. He who was even seen by any of the two was instantly reduced to ashes.
The great bird (Suparna) suddenly covered their eyes with dust and thus making them blind, he attacked them from all sides.
The son of Vinata, that ranger of the sky, attacking their bodies, mangled them into pieces; and he then without the least delay came to the place where the Soma was.
The mighty son of Vinata, taking up the Ambrosia from the place where it was, rose on his wings, breaking the instrument into pieces.
He soon came out, but he did not drink the Ambrosia. He then proceeded on his way without the least fatigue, darkening the splendour of the sun.
The son of Vinata then saw Vishnu on his way in the sky and Narayana was pleased with him for his self-denial.
The undeteriorating Deity said to the great bird, “I am willing to grant you a boon.” Thereupon the bird said, "I want to stay above you."
He again said to Narayana, "I want to be immortal and free from disease without drinking the Ambrosia.”
Vishnu said to the son of Vinata, "Be it so." Receiving these two boons, Garuda said to Vishnu,
“I shall also grant you a boon.” Thereupon Vishnu asked the mighty carrier of great weight s to become his vehicle.
He placed the bird on the flag-staff of his car saying, “Thus shall you stay above me.” And the bird said to Narayana, "Be it so,"
Mocking the wind with fleetness, he then swiftly proceeded on his way and when the great bird was thus going away, Indra hurled at him thunder-bolt.
The best of bird, Garuda, when carrying away the Ambrosia, was thus struck with the thunder-bolt; and being greatly angry, he laughingly spoke to Indra.
In sweet words, "I shall respect the Rishi, with whose bones the thunder-bolt is made.
I shall respect the thunder-bolt and you also, O Indra, I cast a feather of mine, end of which even you will never find.
I have not felt the slightest pain being struck by your thunder-bolt." Having said this, the king of birds threw out one of his feathers.
Seeing that beautiful feather, cast by Garuda, all creatures became exceedingly pleased and they said, "Let this bird be called Suparna (bird with beautiful feathers)." Seeing this, the deity of thousands eyes, Purandara, was much surprised and he thought the bird must be a great being. He then addressed him thus,
Indra said :
“O best of birds, I desire to know the limit of your strength. I also desire to form an eternal friendship with you.
Garuda said :
“O Purandara, Let there be friendship between us as you desire. Know, my strength is great and is hard to bear.
O Shatakratu, the learned do not approve of speaking highly of their own strength or of their own merits.
O friend, as we are now made friends and as you ask me, I will tell you, although self- praise without reason is always improper.
O Indra, I can bear, on a single feather of mine, this earth with her mountains forests, oceans and even you with it.
Know, my strength is such that I can bear, without fatigue, even all the worlds put together, with their mobile and immobile objects.
Sauti said :
O Shaunaka, when the great hero (Garuda) said all this, the great Lord, the king of the celestial, the wearer of the heaven's crown, the possessor of wealth, the benefactor of all the worlds said:
"It is true what you say, Everything is possible in you. Accept now my sincere and eternal friendship.
If you do not require the Soma, kindly return it to me. Those to whom you will give it will always quarrel with us.
Garuda said :
There is a reason why I am taking away the Soma. I shall not give the Soma to any body to drink.
O deity of thousand eyes, after I shall place it down, O King of heavens, you can instantly take it up and bring it away.
Indra said :
O oviparous One, I am highly pleased with what you have just now said. O best of birds, accept from me any boon you like to have.
Sauti said :
Being thus addressed, Garuda recollecting the sons of Kadru and the slavery of his mother by deception said,
"Though I have power to do everything over all creatures, yet, O Indra, I shall do your bidding. Let the mighty snakes be my food.”
"Be it so." said the destroyer of the Danavas and he went to Hari, the god of gods, the great Soul, the lord of Yogis.
He (Vishnu) sanctioned all that was said by Garuda. The illustrious lord of all the worlds thus spoke to him,
"I shall take away the Soma when you will place it down." Having said this he bade farewell to Garuda, And Suparna (Garuda) went to the presence of his mother with great speed.
He then said to all the snakes in joy, "Here have I brought the Ambrosia. I shall place it on the (sacred) Kushagrass.
O snakes, drink it after performing your ablutions and religious rites. I have done what you asked me to do.
Therefore, as you promised, let my mother became free from this day," "Be it so," said the snakes and went to perform their ablutions. In the meantime, Indra taking up the Ambrosia, went away to heaven.
The snakes, after performing their ablutions, their daily devotions and other sacred rites, came in joy to drink the Ambrosia.
They saw that the Kusha grass on which the Ambrosia had been placed was empty. It had been taken away by a counter act of deception.
They began to lick with their tongues the Kusha grass in which the Ambrosia had been placed; and by that act, their tongues became divided into two.
The Kusha grass, from the contact of the Ambrosia, became sacred from that day. Thus did the illustrious Garuda bring the Ambrosia and bring it for the snakes, but thus were their tongues divided by what he did.
Then Suparna (Garuda) lived in that forest with his mother in great joy. The son of Vinata delighted his mother by becoming the eater of snakes, by being respected by all birds and by doing other great acts.
He, who will listen to this story or read it to an assembly of Brahmanas, must surely go to heaven, acquiring great merit from its recitation.
Shaunaka said :
O son of Suta, you have told us why the snakes were cursed by their mother; and why Vinata also cursed her son.
You have told us the bestowal of boons on Kadru and Vinata by their husband; you have also told us the names of the two sons of Vinata.
O son of Suta, you have not told us the names of the snakes (the sons of Kadru). We are anxious to know the names of the chief ones.
Sauti said :
O Rishi, for fear of being lengthy, I shall not mention the names of all the snakes. But hear, I shall only mention the names of the chief ones.
Shesha was born first and then Vasuki. (There were born) Airavata, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Kalakeya, Mani, Purana, Pinjaraka, Elapatara, Vamana, Nila, Anila, Kalamsha, Shabala, Aryaka, Ugraka, Kalashpotaka, Sumanakhya, Dadhimukha, Vimalapindaka, Apta, Karkotaka, Shankha, Valisikha, Nisthanaka, Hemaguha, Nahusha, Pingala, Bahyakarna, Hastipada, Mudgarapindaka, Kambala, Ashvatara, Kaliyaka, Vritta, Samvartaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankhamukha, Kushmandaka, Kshemaka, Pindaraka, Karavira, Pushpadanshtraka, Bilvaka, Bilvapandura, Mushakada, Shankhashiras, Purnabhadra, Haridraka, Aparajita, Jyotika, Srivaha, Kauravya, Dhritarashtra, Shankhapinda, Virajas, Subahu, Shalipinda, Prabhakara, Hastipinda, Pitharaka, Sumukha, Kaunapashana, Kuthara, Kunjara, Kumuda, Halika, Kumudakshya, Tittiri, Kardama, Bahumulaka, Karakara, Akarkara, Kundodara and Mahodara.
O best of the twice-born, I have told you the names of the chief snakes. For fear of being tedious, I have not told you the names of the rest.
O Rishi, the sons and the grandsons of the snakes were innumerable, therefore, I shall not mention their names to you.
O Rishi, the number of snakes defies calculation in this world. There are many thousands and millions of the snakes.
Shaunaka said :
O child, you have told us of many greatly powerful and unconquerable serpents. What did they do after hearing of the curse?
Sauti said :
Illustrious and famous Shesha, having left (his mother) Kadru, practised austere penances, living on air and rigidly observing vows.
He practised his penances, going to Gandhamadana, Badari, Gokarna, the forest of Pushkara and the foot of the Himalayas.
He passed his days in these sacred places, rigidly observing his vows, completely controlling his passions and concentrating his mind.
The Grandsire saw him with knotted hair, clad in rags, his flesh, skin and renews dried up owing to the austere penances he was practising.
The Grandsire, addressing that penance- practising ascetic, said, “O Shesha, what are you doing? let the welfare of the worlds also engage your thoughts.
O sinless one, you are giving pain to all creatures by your austere penances. O Shesha, tell me the desire of your mind."
Shesha said :
My brothers are all of wicked hearts. I do not wish to live with them. Kindly sanction this.
They are jealous of one another like great enemies. I am, therefore, engaged in penances. I shall not even see them.
They never show any kindness for Vinata and her son, who is our other brother, the bird of the air.
They always envy him. He too is much stronger than (all of us), owing to the boon granted by our father, the illustrious and noble Kashyapa.
Therefore, I am practising penances and I shall cast off this body of mine, so that I may not live with them even in another life.
Sauti said :
When Shesha thus spoke, the Grandsire told him, “O Shesha, I know the character of your brothers.
(And I know also) their great danger owing to their offence against their mother. O snake, a remedy has been already provided by me.
You should not grieve for your brother. O Shesha, whatever you desire possess, ask it from me.
I am highly pleased with you and I shall grant you a boon today. O best of snakes, it is very good that your heart has been set on virtue. Let your heart be more and more firmly set on virtue."
Shesha said:
O divine Grandsire, O lord of all, I ask this boon let my heart always delight in virtue and in blessed penances.
Brahma said :
O Shesha, I am highly pleased with your self-denial and love of peace. By my command let the following act be done by you for the good of all creatures.
Bearing properly and well, this earth which is so very unsteady, towns retreats and seas, with all her mountains and forests with her O Shesha, remain in the way as she may be steady.
Shesha said:
O divine lord of all creatures, O granter of boons, O lord of the earth, O the lord of every created thing, O the lord of the universe, I shall hold the earth steady, as you command. O Prajapati, place it upon my head.
Brahma said :
O best of snakes, go underneath the earth. She herself will make a passage for you. O Shesha, you will certainly do what is highly valued by me by holding the earth (on your head.)
Sauti said :
The elder brother of the king of the snakes, entering into a hole, went to the other side of the earth. He held that goddess (earth) with her belt of seas all around her.
Brahma said :
O Shesha, O best of snakes, you are the Dharma, because you hold the earth alone with your huge body, with every thing on her, what I myself and Indra can do.
Sauti said :
Thus does the snake, Shesha, the greatly powerful lord Ananta, live underneath the earth, alone supporting the world at the command of Brahma.
Then the Grandsire, the illustrious lord of the immortals, gave Suparna (Garuda), the son of Vinata as Ananta's help.
Sauti said :
The best of snakes, Vasuki, hearing the curse of his mother, pondered over how to make it abortive.
He held a consultation with all his brothers. Airavata and others, who were virtuous.
Vasuki said :
O sinless ones, the curse on us is well known to you. We should try to neutralise it.
Remedies exist for all curses, but no remedy can avail those who are cursed by their mother.
Hearing that this curse was uttered before the immutable, the infinite and the true one, my heart trembles.
Our annihilation has certainly come; otherwise the immutable Lord should have prevented our mother from uttering the curse.
Therefore, let us consult today how we may secure the safety of the snakes. Let us not waste time.
You are all wise and discerning. We shall all consult together and find out a means of deliverance,
As did the celestial, in the days of yore, to regain the lost Agni who had concealed himself within a cave, so that the sacrifice of Janamejaya for the destruction of the snakes may not take place and so that we may not meet with our destruction.
Sauti said :
Thus addressed, all the offspring of Kadru assembled together; they were all wise in counsel and they gave their opinions (one after the other.)
One party said, "We shall assume the guise of Brahmana Rishis and asked Janamejaya not to hold the sacrifice.”
Others, thinking themselves wise, said, "We shall all become his favourite counsellors.
He will then certainly ask our advice in all things and we shall then give him such advice as may obstruct the sacrifice.
The king, thinking us wise, will certainly ask our advice about his sacrifice and we shall say, "Don't hold it."
We shall point him out many serious evils in this world and the next, with reasons and causes, so that the sacrifice may not take place.
(We can do this also); let one of the snakes by biting kill the persons, who will try to do good to the king and who will be well- acquainted with the rites of the Snake-sacrifice and who will be appointed as the sacrificial priest. And by their death, the sacrifice will not be completed.
We shall also bite those who are acquainted with the Snakes-sacrifice and who may be appointed as the Ritvijas of the sacrifice. Thus we shall obtain our object.”
Some other snakes, who were kind hearted and virtuous, said, "Your this advice is not good. It is not proper to kill Brahmanas. ”
That remedy is proper in a danger which rests on righteousness. Unrighteousness finally destroys the world.”
Other snakes said: "We shall extinguish the sacrificial fire by becoming clouds luminous with lightning and pouring down showers.
Other good snakes said, "Let us go in the night and steal away the vessel of the Soma. This will obstruct the sacrifice.
Or let the snakes go in hundred and thousands to the sacrifice, bite every one and thus create a terror.
Or let the serpents defile the pure food with their urine and dung."
Others said, "Let us become the Ritvijas of the king and obstruct the sacrifice by saying at the very outset, 'Give us our Dakshina. "
The king, being placed in our power, will do whatever we will ask him to do." Other said, "When the king will play in the waters,
Let us carry him to our home and kept him bound, so that the sacrifice may not take place.” Others, thinking themselves wise, said,
"Let us go to the king and bite him, so that our object may be accomplished. By his death the root of all evil will be destroyed.
O snake, that hears by the eyes, this is the final result of our deliberations. O king, do speedily what you think proper.
Having said this, they all eagerly looked at the best of the snakes, Vasuki. And Vasuki, after reflecting a while, told the snakes,
“O snakes, your this final determination does not seem worthy of adoption. The advice, that all give, are not to my liking.
What can I suggest which would be for your good! I think the favour of (our father) the illustrious Kashyapa can alone do us good.
O snakes, my mind does not know which of your suggestions to adopt for the welfare of my race and mine.
It is this that makes me so anxious, for the credit and the discredit of the act will rest on me alone.
Sauti said :
Having heard the words that fell from the snakes and also what fell from Vasuki, Elapatra addressed them thus.
"That sacrifice is not such as would be prevented and Janamejaya of the Pandava race, who is our great terror, is not such as he can be obstructed.
O King, he who is afflicted by Fate, has his recourse to Fate alone. Nothing else can be his refuge.
O best of the snakes, the root of our terror is Fate and therefore, Fate alone must be our refuge. Listen to what I say.
O best of the snakes, when that curse was uttered, I lay in fear, crouching on my mother's lap. O best of the snakes, O Lord, O snake of great splendour, I heard from that place the sorrowing gods speaking to the Grandsire saying,
The celestial said :
O Grandsire, O god of gods, who but Kadru, after getting such dear children, can curse them even in your presence!
O Grandsire, you have also said, "Be it so." We wish to know the reason why you did not prevent her,
Brahma said :
The snakes have multiplied, they are cruel, terrible in form and deadly poisonous. I did not prevent Kadru (from uttering the curse) from the desire of doing good to all creatures.
The poisonous serpents that have always the biting propensity, those that bite for little faults and those who are sinful, will be destroyed, but not those that are virtuous.
Hear, how the snakes may escape from this dreadful calamity when the time will come,
There will be born in the race of Yayavaras, a great Rishi, known by the name of Jaratkaru, who will be intelligent, greatly Pascetic and self-controlled.
That Jaratkaru will have a son, named Astika, who will also be a great Rishi. He will put a stop to the Snake-sacrifice. Those snakes that will be virtuous will escape (from the Snake-sacrificial fire.)
The celestial said:
O Brahma, in whom will Jaratkaru, the foremost of the Rishis, gifted with great powers and asceticism, beget that illustrious son?
Brahma said :
The best of Brahmanas, the greatly powerful (Jaratkaru) will beget a greatly powerful son on his wife who will bear the same name as his.
Vasuki, the king of the snakes, has a sister, named Jaratkaru: the son I speak of will be born in her womb and he will save the snakes.
Elapatra said :
The celestial said to the Grandsire, "Be it so," and the lord Brahma, having said all this to the celestial went to heaven.
O Vasuki, I see before me your that sister, known by the name of Jaratkaru. To save us from this great calamity, give her as a gift to the Rishi Jaratkaru of rigid vows, who will roam about begging for a bride. This means of our safety has been heard by me.
Sauti said :
O best of the twice born, hearing what Elapatra said, all the snakes exclaimed in joy, "Well said! Excellent man!"
From that day Vasuki carefully kept that maiden, his sister Jaratkaru and he took great pleasure in rearing her up.
Not long after this, the Devas and the Asuras churner the abode of Varuna (Ocean).
And the greatly powerful Vasuki became its churning cord. As soon as this work was done, he appeared the grandsire.
The celestial with Vasuki addressed the Grandsire thus, "O lord, Vasuki is suffering from the fear of the curse.
You should draw out the dart, begotten by his mother's curse, which pierces the heart of Vasuki who is desirous of the weal of his race.
The king of the snakes is always our friend and benefactor; O lord of the gods, be gracious to him and remove the fever of his mind.
Brahma said :
O immortals, I have thought in my mind what you have said. Let the king of the snakes do what Elapatra had told him before. The time has come. The wicked only will be destroyed and not the virtuous.
Jaratkaru is (already ) born; that Brahmana is now engaged in penances. Let him (Vasuki), at the proper time, give his sister to Jaratkaru.
O celestial, what had been said by Elapatra for the weal of the snakes is true. It is not otherwise.
Sauti said :
The king of the snakes, a afflicted with the curse, having heard what the Grandsire said, commanded all the snakes,
A large number of them who are always attentive to their duties, to watch the Rishi Jaratkaru. He said,
"When the Lord Jaratkaru will ask for a wife, come immediately and inform me of it. The weal of our race depends upon it."
Shaunaka said :
O son of Suta, I desire to know why the illustrious Rishi whom you call Jaratkaru came to be so called. You should tell us the Etymology of the name of Jaratkaru.
Sauti said :
Jara, means "waste" Karu means "huge." The body of this Rishi was huge, but he reduced it by severe penances. O Brahmana, because he thus reduced his body, he was called Jaratkaru. The sister of Vasuki was called Jaratkaru for the same reason.
When the pious Shaunaka heard this, he smiled and addressing Ugrashrava (Sauti) said, "It is true."
Shaunaka said :
I have heard all that you have narrated. Now I wish to hear how Astika was born.
Sauti said :
Vasuki, wishing to bestow his sister on Rishi Jaratkaru, gave the snakes (all necessary) orders.
Many years rolled away, but the Rishi of rigid vows, deeply engaged in ascetic devotions, did not seek for a wife.
That high-souled Rishi, his sexual passion completely under control, engaged in deep study and devoted to rigid asceticism, fearlessly roamed over the world, having no desire for a wife.
O Brahmana, once upon a time there was a king, named Parikshit, born in the race of the Kurus.
He was like his grandfather, mighty in arms, the best of all bow-men in battle and was very fond of hunting.
That king of the world roamed about, hunting deer, wild boars, hyena and buffaloes and various other wild animals.
One day, having pierced a deer with an arrow, he slang his bow on his back and entered into a deep forest.
He searched for it in the forest here and there, as Rudra did in heaven for the sacrificial deer which was pierced with his arrow.
Never had a deer, pierced by Parikshit, escaped in the forest with life. This deer, however, wounded as the others, were fled away with speed. It shows the proximity of the king's going to heaven (death).
The deer, that the king of men, Parikshit wounded, was soon lost out of his sight and the king went in pursuit it far into the forest.
Fatigued and thirsty he came upon a Rishi, in the forest, seated in a cow-shed, drinking the froth oozing out of the mouths of the calves sucking the milk of their mothers. Coming to him with all haste, the king asked that Rishi of great austerity, "O Brahmana, I am king Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu.
Have you seen where the deer pierced by me has gone?" But the Rishi, observing the vow of silence, did not reply to him.
The king being angry took up a dead snake with the end of his bow and placed it round the neck of the Rishi, but the Rishi did not prevent from doing it.
He did not even say a word, either good or bad. Seeing him in that state, the king cast off his anger and became very sorry. He went away to his capital and the Rishi remained as he was. The forgiving great Rishi knowing him, that best of kings,
To be true to the duties of his order, did not curse him. That best of kings, the best of the Bharata race, also did not know that the Rishi was a virtuous man. It is for this that he thus insulted him. This Rishi had a young, greatly powerful and exceedingly ascetic son,
Who was named Shringi. He was full of wrath, severe in his vows and difficult to be appeased. He sometimes worshipped with great attention his (preceptor) Brahma, seated on his seat and ever engaged in doing good to all creatures. Commanded by him, he was coming home one day.
When his friend (Krishna) in a playful mood, laughingly spoke to him about his father. The Rishi's son, ever wrathful and like poison itself, hearing what had happened to his father, blazed up in a rage.
Krishna said :
O Shringi, do not be proud. Ascetic as you are and possessed of great powers, (go and see) your father is carrying a dead body (on his shoulder),
Don't speak with the sons of the Rishis like ourselves, who are deep in asceticism, who have knowledge of truth and who have attained success.
Where is your that manliness and where are your those proud words, when you see your father carrying a dead snake?
O best of Rishis, your father did nothing to meet with this treatment. I am pained as if it has been done to me.
Sauti said :
Being thus addressed and having heard that his father was bearing a dead snake, the powerful Shringi grew exceedingly angry.
Looking at Krishna, he softly asked him, "Why does my father bear a dead snake?"
Krishna said :
O dear friend, when Parikshit was roving for the purpose of hunting, he placed the dead snake of the shoulder of your father.
Shringi said :
What harm was done by my father to that miscreant king? Tell me this, O Krishna and (you will then) see my ascetic powers.
Krishna said :
King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, having wounded a fleet stag with an arrow while hunting, chased it alone.
He lost sight of the stag in the wilderness of the forest and seeing your father he accosted him.
But he (your father) was then observing the vow of silence. Oppressed by hunger, thirst and fatigue, the king repeatedly asked your father about the missing deer.
But the Rishi, being then under the vow of silence, did not make any reply. Thereupon the king, becoming angry, placed the snake on his shoulder, taking it up with the end of his bow.
O Shringi, your father, engaged in devotion, is still in that posture. The king has, however, gone away to his capital (Hastinapur), named after the elephant.
Sauti said :
Having heard that a dead snake had been placed on his father's shoulder, the Rishi's son looked like a blazing fire, his eyes reddened with anger.
Inflamed with anger, the powerful Rishi, touching water, cursed the king thus,
Shringi said :
He who has placed the dead snake on the shoulder of my old and lean father, that miscreant of a king, that insulter of the Brahmanas, the destroyer of the fame of the Kuru race, will be taken within seven days from to-day to the land of Yama by the snake Takshaka, the powerful king of the serpents, stimulated by my words.
Sauti said :
Having thus cursed the king from anger, Shringi went to his father and saw that he was sitting in the cow-shed, the dead snake ( was still) on his shoulder.
Seeing that the dead snake was on the shoulder of his father, he was against inflamed with anger.
He shed tears in grief; and addressed his father thus, “O father, hearing the insult offered to you by the miscreant, King Parikshit, I have cursed him from anger, That wretch of the Kurus richly deserves my potent curse. Within seven days from this date the king of snake, Takshaka
Will take the sinner to the fearful house of Death.” And the father said to the enraged son,
Shamika said :
O child, I am not pleased with your act. It is not proper for ascetics to act thus. We live in the domains of that king;
We are righteously protected by him and therefore, we should not mind his faults, The reigning kings should always be pardoned by men like us.
O son, if you destroy Dharma, (piety), Dharma will certainly destroy you. If the king does not protect us, we meet with many afflictions.
O son, we cannot then perform our religious rites as we desire. Protected by virtuous kings,
We achieve great merits; and a share of it always goes to such kings. Therefore, reigning kings are always to be forgiven;
Specially Parikshit, who, like his grandfather, protects us as a king should protect his subjects.
That penance-practising king was oppressed by hunger and thirst and he did not know that I was observing the vow of silence.
Disasters always befall on a country where there is no king. The king punishes those who grow wicked.
The fear of punishment brings in peace and men thus perform their duties and their rites undisturbed.
The king establishes the kingdom of heaven. The king protects all sacrifices and the sacrifices please the celestial;
The celestial cause rain and rain produces medicinal herbs; the medicinal herbs do immense good to mankind.
Manu said, 'The ruler of the destiny of men is equal to ten Veda-knowing Brahmanas.'
That penance-observing king, oppressed by hunger and thirst, has done this through ignorance of my vow.
Why have you, through childishness, done rashly this unrighteous action? O son, that king in no way deserves a curse from us.
Shringi said :
O father, whether my act was rash or improper, whether you like it or dislike it, the words spoken by me shall never be vain.
O father, I tell you, this can never be otherwise. I have never spoken a lie even in jest.
Shamika said :
My child, I know, you are greatly powerful and you are very truthful. You have never spoken a falsehood in your life and therefore your curse will never be false.
But the son, even he is grown up, should always be advised by his father, so that adorned with good qualities, he may earn great renown.
You are mere child and therefore, how much more do you stand in need of counsel! You are always engaged in asceticism. Even the anger of illustrious and high-souled men increases with the increase of their powers.
O best of pious men, considering that you are my son and a mere boy and seeing your rashness, I see I must give you advice.
Live, O son, having your mind inclined to peace; live on fruits and roots of the forest. Destroy your anger; but do not destroy the fruits of your asceticism (by giving vent to anger).
Anger diminishes the merits that ascetics acquire with great pains. There is no hope for those who are deprived of virtue.
Peacefulness produces success to the forgiving ascetics. Good come to the forgiving men, both in this world and in the next.
Therefore, you should always live, being forgiving in your temper and self-controlling of your passions. By forgiveness you will attain to worlds that are beyond the reach of even Brahma.
O my son, having adopted peacefulness, I shall do as much as lies in my power. I shall do this. I shall send words to the king, telling him,
"O king, you have been cursed by my son, who is a mere child and whose intellect is not yet developed. Seeing your disrespect towards me, (he has done this) in anger."
Sauti said :
That great ascetic, observant of vows, moved by kindness, sent a disciple to Parikshit with proper instructions.
He sent his disciple, named Gaurmukha, a young man of good manners and of ascetic penances, instructing him to enquire first about the welfare of the king and then to communicate the real business.
Going (to Hastinapur) he soon came to the king, the head of the Kuru race. He entered the king's palace, having first sent the notice of his arrival through servant.
The Brahmana, Gaurmukha, was received in all honours. And then after resting for a while, he told the king in the presence of his ministers, the terrible words of Shamika, exactly as he was instructed.
Gaurmukha said:
O king of kings, there lives within your dominions, a Rishi, named Shamika. He is greatly virtuous, very peaceful, his passions under control and a great ascetic. O best of men, a dead snake was placed by you with the end of your bow on the shoulder of this Rishi who was then observing the vow of silence. He himself forgive the act, but his son did not.
O king of kings, you have been to-day cursed by him without the knowledge of his father. Takshaka will be your death within seven nights.
Shamika repeatedly asked his son to save you, but there is none to falsify his curse.
As he has been unable to pacify his angry son, therefore, O king, I have been sent by him to you for your good.
Sauti said :
Having heard these terrible words and recollecting his own sinful act, the king, the descendant of the Kuru race, a great ascetic himself, grew exceedingly sorry.
Having heard that the best of the Rishi (Shamika) had been observing the vow of silence, he was doubly afflicted with sorrow.
Seeing also the great kindness shown to him by the Rishi and recollecting his own great act, the king became very penitent.
The king, who looked like a celestial, did not grieve so much for hearing that he would die, as for having done that (insulting) act to the Rishi.
The king then sent away Gaurmukha, saying "Let the adored Rishi be gracious to me!”
When Gaurmukha had gone away the king in great anxiety consulted with all his ministers without delay.
Having consulted with his ministers, the king himself, wise in counsels, caused a palace to be erected on a pillar, guarded day and night by men.
For his protection, he placed all around the palace, physicians, medicines and Brahmanas skilled in Mantras.
Thus being protected on all sides, the king discharged his royal duties, surrounded by his virtuous ministers.
None could approach that best of kings there (in that palace.) The air even could not go there, being prevented from entering.
When the seventh day came, the best of Brahmanas, Kashyapa, was coming with the intention of treating the king, (if bitten by the snake).
He had heard all that had happened; he had heard that the best of snakes, Takshaka would take the king of Yama's, abode.
He thought, “I will cure the king bitten by the best of the snakes. By this I may gain both wealth and virtue."
The king of the snakes, Takshaka, saw on the way, Kashyapa, going with the intention of cunning the king. He appeared before him in the form of a Brahmana.
Thereupon the king of the snakes spoke to the best of the Rishis, Kashyapa, saying, "Where are you going with such speed? What is the business upon which you are going?
Kashyapa said:
The best of snakes, Takshaka, will to-day burn the chastiser of his enemies, king Parikshit of the Kuru race;
O amiable man, I am going in haste without loss of time, to curate that king of immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Kuru race, when he will be bitten by the king of snakes, who is as powerful as Agni.
Takshaka said:
O Brahmana, I am that very Takshaka, who will kill that king of the earth, Stop, you cannot cure one who is bitten by me.
Kashyapa said:
I am possessed with the power of learning. Going there, I am sure I shall cure the king bitten by you.
Takshaka said:
O Kashyapa, if you are able to cure any creature bitten by me, then revive this tree bitten by me.
O best of Brahmanas, I burn this banian tree in your sight. Try your best; and show me your skill in Mantras of which you have just spoken.
Kashyapa said:
O snake, if you are so minded, bite (the tree then ). I shall revive it, though bitten by you.
Sauti said :
The king of the snakes, thus addressed by the illustrious Kashyapa, bit that banian tree.
The tree, bitten by the illustrious snake and having embibed his poison, blazed up all around.
having thus burnt the tree, the snake spoke again to Kashyapa, "O best of Brahmanas, try your best and let this lord of the forest (the banian tree) be revived."
The tree was reduced to ashes by the poison of the king of snakes. But taking up the ashes, Kashyapa spoke these words.
“O king of snakes, behold my power of learning in this lord of the forest. O snake, I shall revive it in your very presence."
And then that best of Brahmanas, the illustrious and learned Kashyapa, revived by his learning the tree which was reduced to a heap of ashes.
He first created the sprout, he then created
two leaves in it. He then made the stem, then the branches and then the full-grown tree with leaves and all.
Seeing that the tree was really revived by the illustrious Kashyapa, Takshaka said, “O Brahmana, it is not (at all) wonderful.
That you should destroy my poison or the poison of others like me. O king of Brahmanas, O Rishi, wishing to gain what wealth, are you bent on going there?
I shall give you the wealth you hope to get from the best of kings, however difficult may it be get it.
O Brahmana, your success is doubtful, for that king is affected with a Brahmana's curse and the period of his life is also shortened.
Your blazing fame, that has overspread the three worlds, will (then) disappear the sun deprived of his splendour.
Kashyapa said:
I go there for wealth. Give it to me, O snake, so that I may go back receiving it from you.
Takshaka said:
O best of Brahmanas, I shall give you wealth more than you hope to get from the king. Therefore do not go.
Sauti said :
Having heard what Takshaka said, the best of Brahmanas, the wise and greatly powerful Kashyapa, sat in meditation.
The greatly powerful man (Kashyapa), ascertaining by his ascetic powers that the period of the life of the king of the Pandava race had really run out, went back, after receiving from Takshaka as much wealth as he desired to possess. On the great Rishi Kashyapa's departure, Takshaka went with speed towards Hastinapur.
Takshaka heard, on his way, that the king of the world was living very carefully, protected by poison-neutralising Mantras and medicines.
Thereupon the snake reflected, saying. "The king must be deceived by me by my Maya (power of delusion). But what must be the means?”
Takshaka then sent some snakes in the guise of Brahmanas with fruits Kusha grass and water as presents.
Takshaka said :
Go you all to the king, saying that you have urgent business and showing no impatience, as if you want to make him a present of the fruits, flowers and water.
Sauti said :
The snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, did (as they were ordered to do) They took to the king, Kusha grass, water and fruits.
The greatly powerful king of kings accepted their presents and when their business was finished, he said, "Now retire."
When those disguised snakes had gone away, the king addressed his ministers and friends, saying.
"Eat with me all these fruits of excellent taste, brought by the ascetics.”
Empelled by Fate and the words of the Rishi, the king with his ministers desired to eat those fruits.
He himself ate the fruit within which Takshaka lay hidden. O Shaunaka, when he was eating the fruit, there appeared from the fruit an ugly insect, of shape scarcely discernible, of black eyes and coppery colour. The best of kings, taking up the insect, said to his councillors,
"The sun is setting. I have no longer any fear from the poison today. Therefore, let this insect, becoming Takshaka, bite me, so that my sinful act be expitiated and the word of the ascetic may be true. And those councillors, impelled by Fate, approved of the speech of the king.
The monarch smiled and placed the insect on his head. His hour (of death) having come, he lost his senses.
And when the king was smiling, Takshaka, who has come out of the fruit that was offered to the king, coiled himself round the neck of the king. Uttering a tremendous roar, the king of the snakes immediately bit that protector of the world.
Sauti said :
The ministers, seeing their king in the coils of Takshaka, became pale with fear and they wept in great grief.
Hearing the roars of Takshaka the ministers all fled. And as they were running away, they saw the king of the snakes the wonderful serpent Takshaka, going away through the sky like a streak with the colour of the lotus. His coursing through the sky looked like the vermillion line in the middle of the dark masses of a lady's hair.
The palace, in which the king was living, blazed up with the poison of the snake. The ministers left it and fled in fear and the king fell down if struck by lightning.
When thus the king fell with the poison of Takshaka, the ministers, with the royal priest and holy Brahmanas performed all his last rites.
All the citizens of the capital met together and placed the young son of the deceased king on the throne. They called that chastiser of foes, the hero of the Kuru race, Janamejaya.
That best of kings, Janamejaya, though he was but a boy, was very intelligent and wise. With his ministers and priest, the eldest son of Parikshit, the best of the Kuru race, ruled his kingdom [as powerfully and well] as his grandfather (Yudhishthira)
Seeing that the young king could now keep his enemies in check, his ministers, went to Suvarnavarmana, the king of Kashi and asked him to give his daughter, Vapushtama in marriage with him.
The king of Kashi, after due enquiries bestowed with ordained rights his daughter Vapushtama on the mighty hero of the Kuru race. And he too was exceedingly happy to get her. He did not give his heart to any other women at any time.
The greatly powerful hero roamed happily in pursuit of pleasures in lakes, in woods and in flowery fields. He passed his time in pleasure as Pururava of olden time did on receiving Urvashi.
When he thus passed his days in pursuit of pleasure, ever-renowned for her beauty, devoted to her husband, the fairest of the fair, Vapushtama, having gained a desirable husband, pleased him with the excess of her love.
Sauti said :
About this time, the great ascetic Jaratkaru, becoming a Yatra-Sayan Griha, roamed over the world.
The greatly powerful Rishi roamed about, bathing in various sacred waters and practising various vows, difficult to be practised by others.
The Rishi lived on air and was completely free from all worldly desires, thus becoming daily lean and emaciated. Thus did he see his ancestors, hanging in the hole, their heads downwards,
By a cord of Virana roots, having only one thread entire. Even that one thread was gradually being eaten away by the rat, living in that hole.
They were in the hole without food; they were emaciated, pitiable and eagerly desirous of emancipation. Jaratkaru, in humble guise, came near these pitiable ones and asked them,
"Who are you that are hanging by the cord of Virana roots, of which the single weak root that is still left is gradually being eaten away by the rat that lives in this hole.
The little that remains of the single thread will soon be cut away, It is quite evident that you will then fall into the pit with your heads downwards.
I have been moved with pity, seeing that you hang with your faces downwards and that you are overtaken by a great calamity. What good can I do to you?
Tell me without delay whatever your this great calamity can be relived with a fourth, or a third or even a half of my this asceticism.
O relieve yourselves even with the whole of my asceticism. I consent to it. Do as you please.
The Ancestors said :
O Venerable Brahmachari, you wish to relieve us. But, O best of the twice-born, you cannot relieve us with your asceticism.
O child, O best of speakers, we have also the fruits of our asceticism, but O Brahmana, we are falling down into this hell for the want of offspring.
The Grandsire has said, 'the offspring is the great Dharma.' O child, hanging as we are in this hole, our intellect has grown dim.
Therefore we cannot know you, although you are known for your greatness all over the world. You are venerable, you are of good fortune, you sorrowfully grieve for us.
Hear, O Brahmana, who we are and for whom you are lamenting. We are Rishis of the name of Yayavara of rigid vows.
O Rishi, we have fallen from a holy region for want of offspring. Our great penances have not been destroyed, therefore, we have still one cord left (to hang from.)
We have only one thread (son) now, but it matters little whether he is or he is not. Unfortunate we are! We have a thread in one, known as Jaratkaru, well-read in the Vedas and Vedangas, who has adopted asceticism. He is high-souled, he has his senses under complete control, he is a man of rigid vows, a great ascetic.
But from his temptation for the merits of asceticism we have been reduced to this state. He has no wife and no son, no friend, no relatives.
This is the reason why we hang in this hole, our consciousness gone, like one having no one to look after. If you meet him, tell him out of kindness for us.
"Your ancestors are hanging in grief with their faces downwards. O holy man, take a wife and beget offspring.
O Rishi, O holy man, you are the only thread in the line of your ancestors." O Brahmana, the Virana root that you see and on which we hang,
Is the cord representing our race. O Brahmana, these threads of the Virana roots which you see eaten up (by the rat) are we ourselves, who have been eaten up by Time. This root which you see half eaten,
And by which we are hanging in this hole is he who has adopted asceticism. The rat which you see is Time of infinite strength.
He (Time) is slowly killing the wretch Jaratkaru, engaged in asceticism, having been tempted by its merits but wanting in prudence and heart.
O excellent one, his asceticism cannot save us. The roots being torn, falling off from heavens, deprived of consciousness by Time.
Behold like sinful wretches we are going downwards. On our going with all our relatives down into this hole,
Eaten up by Time, he too will sink with us into hell. Whether it is asceticism, or sacrifice, or other holy acts,
O child, they are inferior and cannot be equal to a son. O child, seeing all this, tell every thing to the Rishi Jaratkaru.
O Brahmana, becoming our saviour, you should, out of kindness towards us, tell him in detail all that you have seen, so that it might induce him to take a wife and beget offspring.
O excellent man, who are you ? You may be one of his friends, for you grieve for us like a friend and as one belonging to our race. We wish to hear who you are that stand before us.
Sauti said :
Having heard all this, Jaratkaru became exceedingly sorry. He spoke to the pitres in sorrow and his words were choked by tears.
Jaratkaru said:
You are my fathers and grandfathers who are gone before. Tell me, therefore, what I can do for your welfare.
I am that Jaratkaru, your sinful son. I am a worthless man, a man of sinful deeds. Pray, punish me.
O son, you have come by good luck at this spot in your travel. O Brahmana, why have you not taken a wife?
Jaratkaru said:
O Pitris, I have this desire always in my heart, that having kept my sexual passion under complete control, I shall take this body to the other world.
My mind is possessed with the idea that I must not take a wife. But having seen you, my sires, hanging like birds.
O grandfathers, my mind has been diverted from Brahmacharya, I shall certainly do your favourite work.
(I shall certainly marry), if I get a bride of my own name, who will bestow herself on me of her own accord, who will come to me as a gift and whom I shall not have to maintain.
Otherwise I shall not marry. O grandsires, I speak to you the truth. The offspring that will be begotten on her shall be the means of your salvation and O my fathers, you will then live for ever in blessed happiness and without the apprehension of a fall.
Sauti said :
The Rishi (Jaratkaru), having said all this to the ancestors, (left the place and) roamed over the world again. O Shaunaka, although he grew old, he did not get a wife.
He was very sorry that he was not successful, but directed by his ancestors he continued the search. He, went into the forest and wept aloud in grief.
Having gone into the forest, the wise Rishi, moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, “I shall ask for a bride, distinctly uttering the words thrice.
Whatever creatures are, mobile or immobile, visible of invisible, O you all, hear my words.
I am a man, engaged in severe penances, but my ancestors, afflicted with grief, have told me, “Get yourself married to beget a son.”
Directed by my ancestors, I'm roaming in poverty and sorrow all over the world for wedding a maiden whom I shall get as a gift.
Let any of those creatures, whom I (now) address, if he has a daughter, bestow her on me who am roving all over the world for a bride.
A bride, who bears the same name with me, who will be given to me as a gift and whom I shall not have to maintain, (If there is such a bride), O bestow her on me.
Thereupon those snakes, who had been appointed to watch Jaratkaru, knowing his intention, gave information to Vasuki.
The king of the snakes immediately went to the place where the Rishi was, taking with him his sister, decked with various ornaments.
O Brahmana, the king of the snakes Vasuki, having gone there, offered the maiden as a gift to that high-souled Rishi. But he did not at once accept her.
The Rishi, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself and seeing also that the question of her maintenance was not settled, reflected for a while and hesitated to accept her.
O descendant of Bhrigu, he then asked Vasuki the name of the maiden and he told him also, "I shall not maintain her."
Sauti said :
Thereupon Vasuki said to the Rishi Jaratkaru, "This maiden has the same name as yours. She is my sister and is an ascetic.
I shall supporter, O best of Brahmanas and therefore accept her. O Rishi, I shall protect her with all my abilities. O best of Rishis, she has been brought up by me for you."
The Rishi said:
It is settled between us that I shall not maintain this maiden and she will not do anything that would be displeasing to me. If she does, I shall leave her.
Sauti said :
When a promise was given by the snake that he would maintain his sister, Jaratkaru went to the house of the snake.
Thereupon the virtuous and veteran Rishi, learned in Mantras and observant of rigid vows, accepted her hands, given to him in due rites.
He then being much adored by the Rishis lived with his wife in the beautiful house set apart for him by the king of the snakes.
In that house was a bedstead covered with valuable coverlets. Jaratkaru slept (in that bedstead) with his wife.
The excellent man (Jaratkaru) made an agreement with his wife, saying "You should not do any thing or say any thing that will be displeasing to me."
I shall then leave you and no longer live in the house, if you do any such thing. Bear in mind these words that I have spoken.
The sister of the snake, in great anxiety and sorrow said, 'Be it so.'
The illustrious girl, moved by the desire of doing good to her relatives, served her husband of hard life with the means of Shveta Kakiya, (i.e. with the wakefulness of the dog, the timidity of the dear and the sharp instinct of crows to understand signs.)
One day the sister of Vasuki, when her season of impurity came, bathed according to custom and went to the great Rishi, her husband.
Thereupon she became quick with child and the embryo was like fire. It was greatly effulgent and was as resplendent as the god of fire himself.
It began to grow like the moon of the white fort-night. A few days after, the greatly famous Jaratkaru,
Placing his head on the lap of his wife, slept, looking like one fatigued. When the Brahmana was thus sleeping, the sun entered the summit of the western mountain.
O Brahmana, as the day was fading away, fearing the loss of (Jaratkaru's virtue), the excellent of Vasuki grew very anxious.
(She thought) “What shall I do now? Shall I wake my husband or shall I not? He leads a hard life and he is virtuous. How can I act so that I may not offend him.
On the one hand is his anger and on the other is his loss of virtue. The loss of virtue is the greater evil of the two, this is my belief.
But if I wake him, he will surely be angry. If the time for prayer passes away (without his doing it,) he will certainly sustain the loss of virtue.
Having thus thought over the matter, the sweet-voiced snake Jaratkaru, thus spoke to the Rishi, resplendent with asceticism and lying like a mass of flame, "O great Lord, arise, the sun is setting.”
O Illustrious man, O Rishi of rigid vows, perform your Sandhya (prayer) after touching water. The time for Agnihotra has come. These moments are beautiful and fearful also.
O Lord, the evening is now gently covering the western sky. Having been thus addressed, the illustrious great ascetic Jaratkaru,
His lips quivering in anger, spoke these words to his wife, "O snake, you have insulted me.
I shall no longer live with you, I shall go away whence I came. O lady of the snake-race, I know it for certain, the Sun has no power to set (at the usual time) if I remain asleep. A man cannot remain in the place where he is insulted,
Far less can remain a man like me, who am religious and those who are like me. Being thus addressed by her husband, the heart of the sister of Vasuki began to tremble (in fear).
She spoke to him, "O Brahmana, I have not waken you from any desire of insult.
I have done it lest your virtue suffer any loss." Thus being addressed by his wife the great Rishi Jaratkaru, possessed with anger and desirous of forsaking his wife, said to the snake, “ O lady of the Naga race, I have never spoken a falsehood, therefore I shall go.
This was my agreement made with you and your brother, O amiable lady, I have passed happily with you. O fair lady, tell your brother,
When I am gone, that I have left you. On my going away, you should not grieve for me."
Having been thus addressed, the beautiful Jaratkaru, was filled with anxiety and sorrow. Her eyes were full of tears, her face was colourless with fear and her voice choked with sobs, She mustered courage, but her voice was trembling. She joined her hands and thus addressed the Rishi Jaratkaru, "O virtuous man, it is not proper for you to leave me.
You are always in virtue, so, I am always engaged in doing good. O best of Brahmanas, the object for which I was bestowed on you.
Has not been as yet accomplished. Unfortunate am I! What shall I speak to Vasuki? O excellent Rishi, the son, desired by my relatives afflicted by their mother's curse, to be begotten by you on me, is not as yet born. The welfare of my relatives depends on the son begotten by you.
Moved by the desire of doing good to my race, so that my connection with you be fruitful, O Brahmana, I entreat you not to go away.
O excellent one, high-souled as you are, why should you leave me who have committed no fault? My conception is not yet apparent."
Thus addressed, the great ascetic Rishi spoke to his wife Jaratkaru, these words, proper and suitable to the occasion.
O fortunate lady, the being that is now in your womb, is like the god of fire himself. He is a Rishi, greatly virtuous and a master of the Veda and the Vedangas."
Having said this, the virtuous and great Rishi Jaratkaru went away, his heart firmly fixed on practising severest asceticism again.
Sauti said :
O ascetic Rishi, as soon as her husband was gone, Jaratkaru went to her brother and told him all that had happened.
Hearing this greatly evil news, the king of the snakes spoke to his miserable sister, he being more miserable than she was.
Vasuki said :
O amiable sister, you know the object for which you were bestowed (on the Rishi,) If a son be born for the good of the snake race.
That greatly powerful being will be able to save us from the Snake-sacrifice. The Grandsire told this to the celestial in olden times.
O Fortunate one, are you quick, with child by that best of Rishis? My heart's desire is that my bestowal of you on that wise man may be fruitless.
It is not proper for me to ask you such a question, but I ask you from the gravity of the matter.
Knowing that it is not possible to get back your husband, ever engaged in severe asceticism, I shall not follow him; he may curse me.
O amiable sister, tell me all that your husband has done and thereby (relieve) me by drawing out the terribly painful dart that is implanted in my heart.
Jaratkaru, having been thus addressed, consoled the king of the snakes, Vasuki and spoke thus.
Jaratkaru said:
Asked by me about offspring, the high-souled great ascetic said, "It is there and went away. I do not remember him to have spoken a falsehood even in jest. O king, why should he then speak a falsehood in such a serious matters. He said,
“O Lady of the Naga race, do not grieve for the result of our union. A son will be in born you like a blazing fire.
O Brother, having said this, the Rishi, my husband, went away therefore, let the great in your mind be removed.
Sauti said :
Having heard this, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, accepted the words of his sister, saying "Be it so."
O Brahmana, the best of the snakes then adored his sister with best regards, with fitting eulogies and gifts of wealth.
O Best of the twice born, the greatly powerful and effulgent embryo began to develop like the moon in the white fortnight.
O Brahmana, the sister of the snake in due time gave birth to a son with the splendour of a celestial boy, the destroyers of the fears of (the relatives of) his father and mother.
He grew up in the house of the king of the snakes. He studied the Vedas with their Angas from the great Rishi Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu.
Though he was a mere boy, his asceticism was great; he was gifted with great intelligence and many virtues. He was known in the world by the name of Astika.
He was known by the name of Astika, because his father had gone away to the forest, saying Astika (one is there), when he was in his mother's womb.
Though he was only a boy, yet he was grave and intelligent. He was kept with great care in the palace of the snake-king.
He was like the illustrious lord of the celestial, Shulapani (Shiva ). He grew up day by day to the infinite delight of all the snakes.
Shaunaka said :
Tell me again in detail all that king Janamejaya asked his ministers to say about his father's ascension to heaven.
Sauti said :
O Brahmana, hear all that the king asked his ministers and all that they said about the death of Parikshit.
Janamejaya said:
You know all that happened to my father and how my illustrious father met with his death.
Hearing from you all about my father, I shall do what is proper and good. I shall not do otherwise.
Sauti said :
Being asked by that high-souled king Janamejaya, the virtuous and wise ministers thus replied.
The Ministers said:
Hear, O king, what you have asked. Hear an account of that king of the world, your illustrious father's life and how he left this world.
Your father was virtuous and noble and a protector of his subjects. Hear, how that high-souled king conducted himself on earth.
That virtuous king, virtuously inclined, protected, like Virtue and Justice themselves, the four castes, keeping them in the duties of their respective orders.
Blessed with fortune and with matchless prowess, he protected the goddess earth. He hated none and had none to hate him.
Like Prajapati he looked at all creatures with equal eyes. The Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras,
Engaged in their respective duties, O king, were all impartially protected by him. He maintained widows, orphans, the maimed and the poor.
He was handsome and was like a second Soma to all creatures. All were contended and blessed with good fortune by that truthful and greatly powerful king.
He was the disciple of Sharadvata in the science of arms. O Janamejaya, your father was the beloved of Govinda (Krishna).
He was the favourite of all men and was greatly renowned. He was born in the womb of Uttara when the Kuru race was almost destroyed.
Therefore the mighty son of Abhimanyu was called Parikshit. He was learned in the treatise on the duties of kings and was adorned with all the noble qualities.
He had his passions under control, he was intelligent, he was gifted with great memory, he was practiser of all virtues, a conqueror of six passions, a great intelligent man, fully acquainted with the science of ethics.
Your father ruled over his subjects for sixty years. When he died, all the people were extremely sorry. After him, O best of men, you have acquired this hereditary kingdom of the Kurus, (who have been ruling over it) for the last thousand years. O protector of every creature, you were installed when you were a child.
Janamejaya said:
None was born in our dynasty who did not look after the good of his subjects and who was not beloved by them. See specially the conduct of my grandfathers (five Pandava brothers) who were ever engaged in great deeds.
How did my such a noble father meet with his death? Describe it to me. I am desirous of hearing it.
Sauti said :
Thus asked by the king, the ministers, the well-wishers of the king, told him everything as it had happened.
The Ministers said:
O king, that monarch, the lord of the world, greatly obedient to all Shastras like the first of all beings, became addicted to sports like the best of bow-men, the great warrior and exceedingly powerful Pandu. He made over to us all state affairs.
Once on a time he went into the forest and pierced a deer with an arrow. Having thus wounded the deer, he followed it armed with sword and quiver,
Alone on foot. But he could not, however, come upon that lost deer.
He, being sixty years old and therefore fatigued and hungry, saw a great Rishi in that great forest.
The king accosted that Rishi, who was then observing the vow of silence, but the Rishi did not make any reply.
The fatigued and the hungry king grew angry with the Rishi who sat motionless as a piece of wood in observance of his vow of silence.
Knowing not that the Rishi was observing a vow of silence, your father, being angry, insulted him.
O excellent one of the Bharata race, he took up from the ground a dead snake with the end of his bow and placed it on the shoulder of that holy Rishi.
But that wise man did not speak a word, good or bad and he did not become angry. He remained as he was, bearing the snake on his shoulder.
The Ministers said:
O king of kings, that tired and hungry monarch, having placed the snake on the shoulder of the Rishi, came back to his own capital.
The Rishi had a son, born of a cow, named Shringi. He was greatly renowned, exceedingly powerful and greatly energetic and very wrathful.
He used to go to Brahma and worshipped him. Commanded by him, Shringi was one day returning home,
When he heard from his friend how his father had been insulted by your father. He heard that he was bearing on his shoulder a dead snake as motionless as a piece of wood, without doing any injury to the man who had insulted him thus.
O king, (he heard that your father had insulted the Rishi) who was a great ascetic, the best of Rishis, a controller of his passions, a pious and holy man, a door of wonderful deeds, his soul enlightened with asceticism and his senses and their functions under his complete control.
His practices were pious, his speeches pure. He was contented and had no avarice; he had not the least meanness, nor had he any avarice. He was old and observant of the vow of silence.
And he was the refuge of all creatures. Such was the Rishi whom your father insulted. The son of that Rishi, however, cursed your father in anger.
Though that son of the Rishi was but a boy, he had the splendour of mature age. He speedily touched water and spoke thus in anger,
With reference to your father, burning as if in effulgence, “Behold my ascetic powers. The angry and effulgent snake Takshaka, a spoken by me, will burn with his poison, within seven nights hence, the wretch who has placed a dead snake on the shoulder of my sire. "Having said this, he went to the place where his father was.
Seeing his father, he told him of the curse uttered by him. That best of Rishis sent to your father.
A well-mannered and virtuous disciple, named Gaurmukha, After having taken rest for a while, he (Gaurmukha) told every thing to the king (your father, )
(Saying in the words of his preceptor) "O king, you have been cursed by my son. Takshaka will burn you with his poison. O great king, be careful.
O Janamejaya, your father, having heard these terrible words, took every precaution against the powerful snake Takshaka.
When the seventh day arrived, a Brahmana Rishi, named Kashyapa, wished to come to the king.
The king of the snakes, Takshaka, saw Kashyapa and that king of the snakes asked that Brahmana, "Where are you going in a hurry? And what is your business for which you go?”
Kashyapa said:
O Brahmana, I am going where the best of the Kurus, the king named Parikshit is. He will today be killed by the snake Takshaka.
I am going in a hurry to cure him, so that he, being treated by me, may not he killed by the snake.
Takshaka said:
O Brahmana, I am that very Takshaka. Why do you wish to revive the king bitten by me. Behold my wonderful power. You are incapable of reviving the king bitten by me." Having said this, Takshaka there and then bit a lord of the forest (a banian tree).
The trees reduced to ashes as soon as bitten by the snake; but, O king, Kashyapa, however revived it.
Thereupon Takshaka, in order to tempt him, said, “Tell me what is your desire.” and Kashyapa replied to Takshaka.
"I am going there with the desire of (getting) wealth.” The illustrious Takshaka, (thereupon) told him in sweet words,
“O sinless one, take from me more wealth than you expect to get from that king. And then go back."
The best of men, Kashyapa, being thus addressed by the snake and having received from him as much wealth as he desired to get, went back.
When the Brahman went back, Takshaka went in disguise to that best of kings, your virtuous father, who was then saying with all precautions in his palace; and he burnt him with the fire of his poison. After this (most lamentable event,) you, O best of kings, were installed on the throne.
O best of kings, we have told you all that we saw and heard, though the account is terrible and cruel.
O best of kings, you have now heard how (your father) the great king of the world was killed and how Rishi Uttanka was insulted, do what is proper.
Sauti said :
Thereupon the chastiser of foes, Janamejaya addressed all his ministers thus.
Janamejaya said:
From whom have you heard this wonderful account of the lord of the forest, burnt to ashes by Takshaka and revived again by Kashyapa? My father could not have certainly died were the poison neutralised by the Mantras of Kashyapa.
The sinful wretch, the worst of the snakes (Takshaka), thought in his mind, If a Brahmana revives the king bitten by me,
“All the world will laugh at me saying, Takshaka had no poison any longer." Certainly having thought so, he gratified the Brahmana.
I have however, devised a means by which I shall punish him. I now wish to hear how you heard and how you saw what happened in the the solitude of the forest, especially conversation between Takshaka and Kashyapa.
Having heard this, I shall devise means for the destruction of the snakes.
The Ministers said:
O king, hear from whom we heard the conversation between that king of the Brahmanas and the king of the snakes.
O king, a certain man had climbed that lord of the forest to collect its dry twigs for sacrificial fuel.
He was not seen by the Brahmana or the snake. O king, he too was reduced to ashes with the tree.
O king of kings, he was revived with the tree by the power of the Brahmana. That man, a servant of a Brahmana, came to us,
And told us in detail what happened between Takshaka and the Brahmana. O king, we are thus able to tell you what we saw or heard. O best of kings, having heard it, do what should be done now.
Sauti said :
Having heard the words of the ministers, the king Janamejaya began to weep in grief and squeezed his hands.
The lotus-eyed king breathed long and hot breaths; the king shed tears and wept aloud.
The king, afflicted with grief and sorrow, shed tears and touching water according to the form, thought for a while as if sifting something in his mind. Then addressing all his ministers, he said :
Janamejaya said:
I have heard your account of my father's ascension to heaven. Know now what is my fixed resolve. No time should be lost to avenge the wretch Takshaka who killed my father. The wretch killed the king, making Shringi a mere pretext.
Out of malignity alone he prevented Kashyapa from coming. If that Brahmana had come, my father would have certainly lived.
What harm could have possibly come to him if the king had revived by the grace of Kashyapa and the precautions taken by the ministers?
He, being ignorant of my anger, prevented that best of Brahmana, Kashyapa, from coming to my unconquerable father.
The aggression of the wretch Takshaka in great, for he gave wealth to the Brahmana, so that he might not revive the king.
I must avenge myself on my father's enemy, to please myself, to please Uttanka and you all.
Sauti said :
The illustrious king having said so, the ministers expressed their approbation. The king expressed his determination of performing a Snake-sacrifice.
The Lord of the earth, the best of the Kurus, king (Janamejaya) the son of Parikshit, then called his priest and Ritvijas.
And that accomplished speaker spoke on the accomplishment of his great task. (He said), “I must avenge on that wretch Takshaka.
Tell me what I must do. Do you know any act by which I can throw Takshaka with all his friends and relatives in the blazing fire? I want to burn the wretch of a snake as he burnt my father with his poison.
The Ritwijas said:
O king, there is a sacrifice advised by the celestial for you. It is known as the Snake-sacrifice and is spoken of in the Puranas.
O king, you alone can accomplish it and no one else. The men, learned in the Puranas, have told us that there is such a sacrifice.
Sauti said :
O excellent one, thus addressed, that royal sage thought Takshaka already thrown into the blazing fire and burnt to ashes.
The king then told these Brahmanas, learned in Mantras, "I shall perform that sacrifice. Tell me the things that are necessary.
O best of Brahmanas, thereupon his wise Ritwijas, learned in the Shastras, measured, according to the ordinances, a piece of land for the sacrificial platform.
It was graced by the presence of holy Brahmanas; it was decked with much valuable wealth; it was full of wealth and paddy. On this sacrificial platform they according to rites installed the king in the Snake-sacrifice. But before the commencement of the sacrifice happened.
An incident which foreboded a hindrance to it. For when the sacrificial platform was being built, a man, Suta by caste, well acquainted with the Puranas and learned in the art of masonry and of laying foundations, said,
"The land in which the platform was made and the time when it was measured indicate that this sacrifice will not be completed. A Brahmana will be its cause."
Having heard this, the king, before he was installed in the sacrifice, ordered the gate keepers, saying, "None must be allowed to enter here without my permission."
Sauti said :
The Snake-sacrifice then began in due form. The sacrificial priests, expert in their respective duties according to the ordinance, their bodies with black garments and their eyes red from the smoke, poured ghee in the blazing fire, uttering the Mantras.
Making the hearts of all the snakes tremble in fear, they began to pour ghee in the mouth of the Agni, uttering the names of the snakes.
Thereupon the snakes fell into the blazing fire one after another, each be-numbed and crying piteously to one another.
Breathing hard, swelling to enormous sizes, intwining one another with their heads and tails, they came in large numbers and fell into the blazing fire.
The white, the black, the blue, the old and the young, those measuring a crosa those measuring a Yojana and those measuring a Gokarna, all fell violently into that blazing fire uttering various cries.
Hundreds and thousands, tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands came be-numbed and perished on that occasion.
Amongst those that perished, there were some that were like the horse, some like the trunks of elephants and others with the huge bodies and strength of mad elephant.
The snakes of various colours and of virulent poison, of terrible look, like maces furnished with iron spikes, of enormous strength and of the greatest biting propensity, fell into the fire as the result of their mother's curse.
Shaunaka said :
Who were the great Rishis that became the Ritvijas in the Snake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava dynasty?
Who became the Sadasyas in that terrible Snake-sacrifice, so fearful to the snakes and so sorrowful to them ?
O child, you should describe all this in detail, so that, O Sauti, we may know who were acquainted with the rituals of the Snake- sacrifice.
Sauti said :
I shall tell you the names of those wise men who became the Ritvijas and Sadasyas of the king.
The Brahmana, named Chand Bhargava, born in the race of Chyavana, greatly illustrious and the foremost man amongst all the learned in the Vedas, became the Hota in that sacrifice.
This learned old Brahmana, Kautsa became the Udgata, Jaimini became the Brahman, Shranagarava and Pingala became the Adhvaryus.
Vyasa with his son and disciple, Uddalaka, Pramataka, Shvetaketu, Pingala Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kundajathara, Kalaghata, Vatsya, old Shrutashrava, ever engaged in Japa and the study of the Vedas, Devasharmana, Kohala, Maudgalya, Samasaurabha.
These and many others, who were vastly learned in the Vedas, became the Sadasyas in the sacrifice of the son of Parikshit.
When the Ritvijas began to pour ghee on the fire in that Snake-sacrifice, fearful snakes, striking fear into every creature, began to fall into its fire.
The fat and the marrow of the snakes, thus burnt in the sacrificial fire, flowed like rivers and the whole atmosphere was filled with an insufferable stench, owing to this continual burning of the snakes.
Incessant were the piteous cries of the snakes that fell into the fire and of those that were in the air about to fall into it.
In the meanwhile, as soon as Takshaka heard that Janamejaya had been installed in the sacrifice, he, the king of snakes, went to Indra.
That best of snakes told every thing to Indra and having acknowledged his fault, asked his protection in fear,
Indra, being much pleased, told him, “O Takshaka, O king of the snakes, you have nothing to fear here from the snake-sacrifice.
The Grandfather was pacified by me for your sake. Therefore, you have no fear. Drive away this fever of fear from your mind."
Thus being encouraged by him, the best of snakes, Takshaka, lived in Indra's abode in joy and happiness.
Here did Vasuki become exceedingly sorry, seeing that the snakes were continually falling into the fire and that his race had been reduced to only a few. That best of the snakes were confounded with grief and thus spoke to his sister,
“O amiable sister, my body is burning. I can no longer see the points of the heavens. I am about to fall owing to the loss of consciousness. My mind is whirling.
My sight is falling, my heart is trembling. Being be-numbed, I may fall into the blazing fire (of the sacrifice) today.
This sacrifice of the son of Parikshit is begun for the extermination of our race. It is evident I also shall have (soon) to go to the land of the dead.
That time has come, O sister, for which I bestowed you on the Rishi Jaratkaru; O sister, protect us with all our race.
O best of the women of the snake race, Astika will put an end to this sacrifice which is being performed. The Grandsire himself told me this in time gone by.
Therefore, O sister, ask your dear son, who is exceedingly learned in the Vedas and respected even by the old, to protect me and those dependent on me.
Sauti said :
The snake-lady, Jaratkaru, then calling her son, told him what was spoken to her by Vasuki, the king of the Nagas.
(She said) "O son, the time has come for the accomplishment of that object for which I was bestowed by my brother on your father. Therefore, do what is needful.”
Astika said :
For what object, O mother, were you bestowed by my uncle on my father? Tell me all, so that I may do what is proper.
Sauti said :
Jaratkaru, the sister of the snake-king, ever desirous to do good to her race and much moved by the general distress said,
Jaratkaru said:
O son, the mother of all the snakes was Kadru. Hear, why she cursed her sons in anger.
Addressing her sons she said, "As you have refused to change the colour of Uchchaishrava, the king of horses, thus making me a slave to Vinata according to the wager, the god of fire will consume you all in the sacrifice of Janamejaya. Thus being killed, you will go to the land of the dead.
The Grandsire of all creatures approved her curse and when she was uttering it, he said, "Be it so."
O child, Vasuki, having heard this curse and the words of the Grandsire, sought the protection of the celestial after the completion of the churning of the ocean.
The celestial, having their object gained, for they had obtained the excellent Ambrosia, came to the Grandsire, placing their brother (Vasuki) at the head.
All the celestial, with the snake-king Vasuki, tried to induce the great Deity, born of the lotus to grace in a way so that the curse might be made futile.
The celestial said :
O lord, the king of the snakes, Vasuki, is sorry for his relatives. How may his mother's curse be made futile?
Brahma said :
Jaratkaru will marry a wife named Jaratkaru. That Brahmana, who will be born of her, will save the snakes.
Jaratkaru said:
The best of snakes, Vasuki, having heard this, O illustrious son, bestowed me on your noble father, long before the commencement of this sacrifice.
As the result of that marriage, you were born of me. That time has now come. You should now protect us from this danger.
You should protect my brother and myself from the fire, so that the object (our protection) for which I was bestowed on your wise father, may not remain unfulfilled. O my son, what do you think (proper now)?
Sauti said :
Thus addressed, Astika said to his mother, "Yes, I will (save the snakes)." He then addressed Vasuki, thereby infusing life unto him and said,
“O Vasuki, the best of snakes, I shall protect you, I tell you truly that I shall relieve you from the curse.
O snake, be at your ease. There is no longer any fear. I shall try my utmost to do you good.
None can say that my words even in just have ever been false, not to speak of my words on serious' occasions. O uncle, going to that best of kings, Janamejaya, now installed in the sacrifice, I shall please him with words mixed with blessings, so that, O excellent one, that king will refrain from the sacrifice.
O king of the snakes, O high-minded one, believe all I say. Believe me, my resolve can never remain unfulfilled.
Vasuki said :
O Astika, being afflicted with my mother's curse my head is whirling, my heart is breaking. I cannot see the points of the heavens.
Astika said :
O best of snakes, you should not grieve any longer. I shall dispel your fear of the blazing fire.
I shall extinguish this (fire), this terrible punishment, blazing as the fire of the end of the Yuga. You should not entertain any fear any longer.
Sauti said :
In order to save the king of the snakes, the best of Brahmanas, Astika dispelling the terrible fever of Vasuki's heart and taking it as it were upon himself, went with speed to the sacrifice of Janamejaya which was adorned with all merits.
Having gone there, Astika saw the excellent Yajna place, full of numerous Sadasyas, as effulgent as the sun or Agni.
But the best of Brahmanas, (Astika) was denied admittance by the door-keepers; and the mighty ascetic, wishing to enter into the (enclosed sacrificial place), pleased them (with blessings and sweet words).
Thus having entered the excellent sacrificial place, that best of Brahmanas, the foremost of all virtuous men, began to adore the king of illustrious deeds, the Ritwijas, the Sadasyas and the sacred fire.
Astika said :
O son of Parikshit, O best of the Bharata race, Soma, Varuna and Prajapati performed sacrifices at Prayaga in the days of yore, but your sacrifice, is in no way inferior to them. Blessing be upon those who are dear to us!
O son of Parikshit, O best of the Bharata race, Indra performed one hundred sacrifices, but your sacrifice, is fully equal to his sacrifice. Blessings be upon those who are dear to us!
O son of Parikshit, O best of the Bharata race, your this sacrifice is like the sacrifices of Yama, Harimedha and king Rantideva. Blessings be upon those who are dear to us!
O son of Parikshit, O best of the Bharata race, your this sacrifice is like the sacrifices of Gaya, king Sashabindu and king Vaishravana. Blessings be upon those who are dear to us!
O son of Parikshit, O best of the Bharata race, your this sacrifice is like the sacrifices of Nriga, Ajamida and (Rama) the son of Dasaratha. Blessings be upon those who are dear to us!
O son of Parikshit, O best of the Bharata race, your this sacrifice is like the sacrifice of king Yudhishthira, the son of a deity and a descendant of Ajamida race, famous even in heavens. Blessings upon those who are dear to us!
O son of Parikshit, O best of the Bharata race, your this sacrifice is like the sacrifice of Krishna Dvaipayana, the son of Satyavati, in which he himself acted as the chief priest. Blessings be upon those who are dear to us!
These (learned men), that are sitting here, are as effulgent as the sun and they make your this sacrifice like the sacrifice of the slayer of Vitra (Indra). There is nothing for them to know and gifts made to them become inexhaustible.
There is not a Ritvija in all the worlds equal to your Ritvija Dvaipayana. His disciples, becoming Ritvijas, competent in their duties, travel over the earth.
The noble bearer of libations, Vibhavasu and Chitrabhanu (Fire), having gold for his vital seed and black smokes on its way, carries these your libations of ghee to the celestial.
There is no other king in this world equal to you in protecting his subjects. I am well pleased with your continual abstinence. You are either Varuna, Yama or Dharmaraja.
You are protector of all creatures in this world, like Indra himself, thunderbolt in hand. There is no man in this world so great as you. There is no king who is your equal in sacrifices.
You are like Khatvanga, Nabhaga and Dilip. You are like Yayati and Mandhata in prowess. You are equal to the sun in splendour. O royal sage of excellent vows, you are like Bhishma.
You are like Valmiki of power concealed. Like Vasishtha you have controlled your anger. Your sovereignty is like that of Indra and your splendour like that of Narayana.
You are learned in the administration of justice like Yama and you are adorned with all qualifications like Krishna. You are the home of the wealth that belongs to the Vasus, you are the main-spring of all sacrifices.
You are equal to Dambhodbhava in strength, you are learned both, in Shastras and arms like Parshurama. You are equal to Aurva and Trita in strength. You inspite terror with your looks like Bhagiratha.
Sauti said :
Having thus adored them, Astika gratified and pleased them all, the king, the Sadasyas, the Ritvijas and the sacrificial fire. And king Janamejaya, seeing the signs and indications manifested on all sides, addressed them thus.
Janamejaya said :
Though this (Rishi) is but a boy, he speaks like a wise old man. He is not a boy; I think he is wise and old. I wish to bestow on him a boon. Therefore, O Brahmanas, give me necessary permission.
The Sadasyas said:
A Brahmana, though he may be a boy, deserves the respect of kings, more so if he is learned. This boy deserves to have his all desires fulfilled, but not before Takshaka is here with all speed.
Sauti said :
The king, being willing to grant a boon to the Brahmana boy, said, "Ask from me a boon.” The Hota, being rather displeased at this, said, "Takshaka has not as yet come to this sacrifice.
Janamejaya said:
Try your best to bring this my sacrifice to a successful completion; exert your might, so that Takshaka may come here without father delay. He is my enemy.
The Ritvijas said:
O king, Takshaka is now living in fear in the abode of Indra. The Shastra declares this to us and the Fire also says it.
Sauti said :
The illustrious Suta, Lohitakshya, well-versed in the Puranas, had also said this before. Asked by the king again on this occasion, he told him what he said before.
(He said), “O king, what the Brahmanas have said is true. Knowing as I do the Puranas,
I say, O king, Indra has granted him a boon, saying, 'Live here in concealment and fire will not be able to burn you."
Having heard this, the king, installed in the sacrifice, became very sorry and urged the Hota to do his duty. He too, with Mantras, began to pour the ghee into the fire. Thereupon Indra himself came to the place.
The illustrious god came on his car, adored and worshipped by all the celestial standing around his chariot and entertained by masses of clouds, celestial singers and various classes of celestial dancing girls.
The snake (Takshaka), however, kept himself hidden within the garments of Indra. Thereupon the king, being desirous of the destruction of Takshaka, spoke to his Mantra-knowing Brahmanas thus,
Janamejaya said:
O Brahmanas, if Takshaka be in the abode of Indra, throw him into the fire with Indra also.
Sauti said :
Thus urged by king Janamejaya (to destroy Takshaka), the Hota again and again poured libations (into the fire), calling the snake (Takshaka) by name who was then staying there (hidden within the garments of Indra).
As the libations were continually poured into the fire, Takshaka with Indra, anxious and afflicted, became visible in a moment in the sky.
Having seen that sacrifice, Indra was filled with fear and casting off. Takshaka, he hastened back to his own abode.
On the departure of Indra, the king of snakes, Takshaka, insensible with fear, was brought near the sacrificial fire by virtue of the Mantras.
The Ritvijas said:
O king of kings, O Lord, your this act (sacrifice) is being properly performed. It is now proper for you to grant a boon to this best of Brahmanas (Astika).
Janamejaya said :
O immeasurable one, you are of such child-like and handsome features, that I desire to bestow upon you a worthy boon. Therefore, ask that which you desire in your heart to possess. I promise you, I will grant it if it be even ungrantable.
The Ritvijas said:
O king, behold, Takshaka has come under your control. His terrible cries and loud roars are heard.
The snake has been forsaken by the wielder of thunder-bolt (Indra). His body has been disabled by our Mantras. (Behold), he is falling from the heavens, (behold) the king of snakes, deprived of his consciousness, comes rolling in the sky breathing loudly.
Sauti said :
When the king of snakes, Takshaka, was at the point of falling into the sacrificial fire, within that very short moment, Astika spoke thus,
Astika said :
O Janamejaya, if you will at all grant me a boon, let your this sacrifice be stopped and let no more snakes fall into the fire.
Sauti said :
O Brahmana, the son of Parikshit, having been thus addressed, became exceedingly sorry and spoke to Astika thus,
Janamejaya said:
O illustrious man, I shall give you gold, silver, kine, or whatever else you desire to possess. But let not my this sacrifice be stopped.
Astika said :
O king, I do not ask from you gold, silver or kine. Let your this sacrifice be stopped, so that my maternal relatives are saved.
Sauti said :
Thus addressed by Astika, the son of Parikshit (Janamejaya,) again and again said to that best of speakers, Astika,
“O best of the best Brahmanas, O blessed one, O illustrious man, ask some other boon.” But, O descendant of the Bhrigu race, he did not ask any other boon.
Thereupon, all the Sadasyas, learned in the Vedas, told the king in one voice, in the Vedas, told the king in one voice, "Let the Brahmana receive the boon (asked by him.")
Shaunaka said:
O son of Suta, I desire to hear the names of those snakes, that fell into the fire of the Snake-sacrifice.
Sauti said :
O best of the twice-born, they were many thousands, tens of thousands and millions and billions; so great was their number that I am unable even to count them.
As far as I remember, hear, I shall mention the names of the principal snakes that fell into the fire.
Hear first the names of the chief ones of Vasuki's family, they were of colour, blue, red and white; they were of terrible forms, huge bodies and dreadful poisons.
Helpless and miserable, affected with their mother's curse, they all fell into that sacrificial fire as libations of ghee. (They were) Kotisha, Manasa, Purna, Shala, Pala, Halimaka, Pichchhala, Kaunapa, Chakra, Kalavega Prakalana, Hiranyabahu, Sharana Kakshaka and Kaladantaka.
These are the snakes, born of Vasuki, that fell into the fire. O Brahmana, numerous other fearful and powerful snakes, born in the family of Takshaka, were burnt in the blazing fire. Hear, I shall mention their names now.
Puchchhandaka, Mandalaka, Pindasektta, Rabhenaka, Uchchhikha, Sharabha, Bhangas, Vilvatejas, Virohana, Shili, Shalakara, Muck, Sukumara, Pravepana, Mudgara, Shishuroman, Suroman and Mahahanu.
These snakes, born of Takshaka, fell into the fire. Paravata, Parijata, Pandara, Harina, Krisha, Vihanga, Sharabha, Meda, Pramoda, Sanhatapan these, born in the family of Airvata, fell into the fire.
Now hear, O best of Brahmanas, the names of the snakes, born in the family of Kauravya, that I mention. Eraka, Kundala Veni, Veniskandha, Kumaraka, Bahuka, Shringavera, Dhurtaka, Pratara and Ataka, these, born in the Kauravya family, fell into the fire.
Now hear, O Brahmana, I mention those born in the family of Dhritarashtra, they were all exceedingly powerful, as swift as the wind and full of virulent poison.
Shankukarna, Pitharaka, Kuthara Mukha, Sechaka, Purnangada, Purnamukha, Prahasa, Shakuni, Amahatha, Dari, Kamathaka, Sushena, Manasa, Avyaya, Bhairava, Mundavedanga, Pishanga, Udraparaka, Rishabha, Vegavana Naga, Pindaraka, Mahahanu, Rakttanga, Sarvasaranga, Samridha, Pata, Vasaka, Varahaka, Viranaka, Suchitra, Chitravegika, Parashara, Tarunka, Mani, Skandha and Aruni.
O Brahmana, thus have I recited the names of the chief snakes, all famous for their great deeds. I have not been able to mention all, their number being countless.
I am unable to mention the names of the sons of these and again the sons of their sons that fell into the blazing fire. They are countless.
Some of them had three heads, some seven and some ten. They had poison like the fire at the end of the Yuga and they were all terrible in appearance.
They had huge bodies and great speed, they were as tall as mountain peaks. Some of them were as long as a Yama, some a Yojana and some two Yojanas.
They were capable of assuming any form at will and of mustering any strength at will, they had the poison like the blazing fire, (such were the snakes that) that were burnt in the great sacrifice, affected by Brahma's punishment, (their mother's curse.)
Sauti said :
Now hear, ( I shall mention) another wonderful incident in connection with Astika. When the son of Parikshit, the king (Janamejaya) was about to grant the boon (to Astika).
The snake, (Takshaka) though thrown off form Indra's hands, remained in the air without falling. Thereupon, king Janamejaya became thoughtful,
For Takshaka, though benumbed with fear, did not at once fall into the fire, although libations were poured into the blazing sacrificial fire in his name and in the proper form.
Shaunaka said:
O Suta, were not the Mantras of those wise Brahmanas propitious? Why did not Takshaka fall into the fire?"
Sauti said :
Astika had said thrice, "Stay, stay, stay," to the unconscious Takshaka, the best of snakes, when he was cast off from Indra's hands.
And afflicted with grief he remained in the sky like a person who hang between the heaven and the earth.
Being again and again urged by his Sadasyas, the king said, "Let it be done as asked by Astika.
Let the sacrifice be stopped, let the snakes be saved, let this Astika be gratified and let the words of the Suta be true."
When the boon was granted to Astika, loud acclamation of joy rose into the sky and the sacrifice of the son of Parikshit, the king of the Pandavas dynasty, came to an end. And king Janamejaya of the Bharata race was much pleased with himself.
The king bestowed money by hundreds and thousands on the Ritvijas and Sadasyas and on all that were present there (in that great sacrifice).
And he bestowed much wealth on Suta Lohitaksha, who was learned in the science of masonry and foundations and who had said at the very commencement of the Snake-sacrifice that a Brahmana would be the cause of its interruption. He gave him various things, food and wearing apparel.
The king of immeasurable kindness was thus much pleased and he concluded the sacrifice according to the rites of the ordinance.
He sent back home in much joy the wise Astika, whom he treated with every respect. He too was exceedingly pleased, because his object was attained.
The king said to him, "You must come again to become a Sadasya in my great Horse-sacrifice.”
And Astika replied, "Yes." He then returned home in great joy, having achieved his great object, by pleasing the king.
Having returned in great joy to his uncle and mother, he touched their feet and told them all that had happened.
Having heard all he said, those snakes, that assembled there, were much delighted and their fear was dispelled. They were greatly pleased with Astika and insisted him to ask a boon.
They all again and again asked him, "O learned one, what good can we do to you? We are exceedingly pleased with you, for we have been all saved by you. O child, (tell us) what can we do for you?
Astika said :
Let those Brahmans and other men, who will cheerfully and with attention read this sacred account of my this act, have no fear from you.”
They said in joy, "O nephew, as regards the boon asked by you, let it be exactly as you say. O nephew, we shall all cheerfully do what you ask us to do.
Those that will recall to their minds, Astika, Artiman and Sunitha, in the day or in the night, will have no fear from snakes.
He will have no fear from snakes, who will say, Astika, the son of Jaratkaru, born of Jaratkaru, Astika who saved the snakes from the Snakes-sacrifice. I recall him to my mind. Therefore, O illustrious snakes, you should not bite me.
O blessed snake, go away, go away, O snake of virulent poison. Remember the words of Astika spoken after the Snake-sacrifice of Janamejaya.”
Having heard the words of Astika mentioned, the snake, that will not cease to bite, will have his hood divided into one hundred-fold like the fruit of Shishama tree."
Sauti said :
Thus addressed by the chief snakes, that best of Brahmanas, (Astika), was very much pleased and the illustrious (boy) then thought of going away.
That virtuous and the best of the twice born, having thus saved the snakes from the Snake-sacrifice, died at the proper time, leaving sons and grandsons behind him.
Thus have I narrated to you the history of Astika exactly as it happened, a history, which if narrated, dispels all fear of snakes.
O Brahmana, O best of the Bhrigu-race, as your ancestor Pramati and gladly narrated it to his enquiring son Ruru,
And as I heard it (from my father), I have narrated this blessed history of the learned Astika from the beginning (to the end).
O Brahman, O chastiser of foes, (now you have) heard this sacred history of Astika, a history which increases virtue and which you asked me to narrate after hearing the story of the Dundubha, let now your great curiosity be satisfied.
End of Astika Parva
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