srimahabharat -adiparva - chapters 31st to 50th

The Mahabharata

                                  Mahabharata of Krishna- Dwaipayana
                                                    (Vyasa Dev)                 
                                                        translated by

                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan   Ganguli ji

                                                            Adiparva

Book 1
Chapter 31

1 [ṣ]
      bhujaṃgamānāṃ śāpasya mātrā caiva sutena ca
      vinatāyās tvayā proktaṃ kāraṇaṃ sūtanandana
  2 varapradānaṃ bhartrā ca kradrū vinatayos tathā
      nāmanī caiva te prokte pakṣiṇor vainateyayoḥ
  3 pannagānāṃ tu nāmāni na kīrtayasi sūtaja
      prādhānyenāpi nāmāni śrotum icchāmahe vayam
  4 [s]
      bahutvān nāmadheyāni bhujagānāṃ tapodhana
      na kīrtayiṣye sarveṣāṃ prādhānyena tu me śṛṇu
  5 śeṣaḥ prathamato jāto vāsukis tadanantaram
      airāvatas takṣakaś ca karkoṭaka dhanaṃjayau
  6 kāliyo maṇināgaś ca nāgaś cāpūraṇas tathā
      nāgas tathā piñjaraka elā patro 'tha vāmanaḥ
  7 nīlānīlau tathā nāgau kalmāṣaśabalau tathā
      āryakaś cādikaś caiva nāgaś ca śala potakaḥ
  8 sumanomukho dadhimukhas tathā vimalapiṇḍakaḥ
      āptaḥ koṭanakaś caiva śaṅkho vālaśikhas tathā
  9 niṣṭhyūnako hemaguho nahuṣaḥ piṅgalas tathā
      bāhyakarṇo hastipadas tathā mudgarapiṇḍakaḥ
  10 kambalāśvatarau cāpi nāgaḥ kālīyakas tathā
     vṛttasaṃvartakau nāgau dvau ca padmāv iti śrutau
 11 nāgaḥ śaṅkhanakaś caiva tathā ca sphaṇḍako 'paraḥ
     kṣemakaś ca mahānāgo nāgaḥ piṇḍārakas tathā
 12 karavīraḥ puṣpadaṃṣṭra eḷako bilvapāṇḍukaḥ
     mūṣakādaḥ śaṅkhaśirāḥ pūrṇadaṃṣṭro haridrakaḥ
 13 aparājito jyotikaś ca pannagaḥ śrīvahas tathā
     kauravyo dhṛtarāṣṭraś ca puṣkaraḥ śalyakas tathā
 14 virajāś ca subāhuś ca śālipiṇḍaś ca vīryavān
     hastibhadraḥ piṭharako mukharaḥ koṇa vāsanaḥ
 15 kuñjaraḥ kuraraś caiva tathā nāgaḥ prabhā karaḥ
     kumudaḥ kumudākṣaś ca tittirir halikas tathā
     karkarākarkarau cobhau kuṇḍodara mahodarau
 16 ete prādhānyato nāgāḥ kīrtitā dvijasattama
     bahutvān nāmadheyānām itare na prakīrtitāḥ
 17 eteṣāṃ prasavo yaś ca prasavasya ca saṃtatiḥ
     asaṃkhyeyeti matvā tān na bravīmi dvijottama
 18 bahūnīha sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca
     aśakyāny eva saṃkhyātuṃ bhujagānāṃ tapodhana

SECTION XXXI

(Astika Parva continued)

"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, what was Indra's fault, what his act of carelessness? How was Garuda born in consequence of the ascetic penances of the Valakhilyas? Why also Kasyapa--a Brahman--had the king of birds for a son? Why, too, was he invincible of all creatures and unslayable of all? Why also was that ranger of the skies capable of going into every place at will and of mustering at will any measure of energy? If these are described in the Purana, I should like to hear them.'
"Sauti said, 'What thou askest me is, indeed, the subject of the Purana. O twice-born one, listen as I briefly recite it all.
"Once upon a time, when the lord of creation, Kasyapa, was engaged in a sacrifice from desire of offspring, the Rishis, the gods, and the Gandharvas, all gave him help. And Indra was appointed by Kasyapa to bring the sacrificial fuel; and with him those ascetics the Valakhilyas, and all
p. 77
the other deities. And the lord Indra, taking up according to his own strength, a weight that was mountain-like, brought it without any fatigue. And he saw on the way some Rishis, of bodies of the measure of the thumb, all together carrying one single stalk of a Palasa (Butea frondosa) leaf. And those Rishis were, from want of food, very lean and almost merged in their own bodies. And they were so weak that they were much afflicted when sunk in the water that collected in an indentation on the road produced by the hoof of a cow. And Purandara, proud of his strength, beheld them with surprise, and laughing at them in derision soon left them behind insulting them, besides, by passing over their heads. And those Rishis being thus insulted were filled with rage and sorrow. And they made preparations for a great sacrifice at which Indra was terrified. Hear, O Saunaka, of the wish for accomplishment of which those vow-observing wise, and excellent ascetics poured clarified butter of the sacrificial fire with loudly uttered mantras, 'There shall be another Indra of all gods, capable of going everywhere at will, and of mustering at will any measure of energy, and striking tear into the (present) king of the gods. By the fruit of our ascetic penance, let one arise, fleet as the mind, and fierce withal.' And the lord of the celestials of a hundred sacrifices, having come to know of this, became very much alarmed and sought the protection of the vow-observing Kasyapa. And the Prajapati Kasyapa, hearing everything from Indra, went to the Valakhilyas and asked them if their sacrifice had been successful. And those truth-speaking Rishis replied to him, saying, 'Let it be as thou sayest!' And the Prajapati Kasyapa pacifying them, spake unto them as follows, 'By the word of Brahman, this one (Indra) hath been made the Lord of the three worlds. Ye ascetics, ye also are striving to create another Indra! Ye excellent ones, it behoveth you not to falsify the word of Brahman. Let not also this purpose, for (accomplishing) which ye are striving, be rendered futile. Let there spring an Indra (Lord) of winged creatures, endued with excess of strength! Be gracious unto Indra who is a suppliant before you.' And the Valakhilyas, thus addressed by Kasyapa, after offering reverence to that first of the Munis, viz., the Prajapati Kasyapa, spake unto him:
"The Valakhilyas said, 'O Prajapati, this sacrifice of us all is for an Indra! Indeed this hath also been meant for a son being born unto thee! Let this task be now left to thee. And in this matter do whatsoever thou seest to be good and proper.'
"Sauti continued, 'Meanwhile, moved by the desire of offspring, the good daughter of Daksha, the vow-observing, amiable, and fortunate Vinata, her ascetic penances over, having purified herself with a bath in that season when connubial companionship might prove fruitful, approached her lord. And Kasyapa spake unto her, 'Respected one, the sacrifice commenced by me hath borne fruit. What hath been desired by thee shall come to pass. Two heroic sons, shall be born unto thee, who shall be the
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lords of the three worlds. By the penances of the Valakhilyas and by virtue of the desire with which I commenced my sacrifice, those sons shall be of exceedingly good fortune and worshipped in the three worlds!' And the illustrious Kasyapa spake unto her again, 'Bear thou these auspicious seeds with great care. These two will be the lords of all winged creatures. These heroic rangers of the skies will be respected in all the worlds, and capable of assuming any form at will.
"And the Prajapati, gratified with all that took place, then addressed Indra of a hundred sacrifices, saying, 'Thou shalt have two brothers of great energy and prowess, who shall be to thee even as the helpmates. From them no injury shall result unto thee. Let thy sorrow cease; thou shalt continue as the lord of all. Let not, however, the utterers of the name of Brahma be ever again slighted by thee. Nor let the very wrathful ones, whose words are even the thunderbolt, be ever again insulted by thee. Indra, thus addressed, went to heaven, his fears dispelled. And Vinata also, her purpose fulfilled, was exceedingly glad. And she gave birth to two sons, Aruna and Garuda. And Aruna, of undeveloped body, became the fore-runner of the Sun. And Garuda was vested with the lordship over the birds. O thou of Bhrigu's race, hearken now to the mighty achievement of Garuda.'"
"So ends the thirty-first section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Book 1
Chapter 32

1 [ṣ]
      jātā vai bhujagās tāta vīryavanto durāsadāḥ
      śāpaṃ taṃ tv atha vijñāya kṛtavanto nu kiṃ param
  2 [s]
      teṣāṃ tu bhagavāñ śeṣas tyaktvā kadrūṃ mahāyaśāḥ
      tapo vipulam ātasthe vāyubhakṣo yatavrataḥ
  3 gandhamādanam āsādya badaryāṃ ca tapo rataḥ
      gokarṇe puṣkarāraṇye tathā himavatas taṭe
  4 teṣu teṣu ca puṇyeṣu tīrtheṣv āyataneṣu ca
      ekāntaśīlī niyataḥ satataṃ vijitendriyaḥ
  5 tapyamānaṃ tapo ghoraṃ taṃ dadarśa pitāmahaḥ
      pariśuṣkamāṃsatvak snāyuṃ jaṭācīradharaṃ prabhum
  6 tam abravīt satyadhṛtiṃ tapyamānaṃ pitāmahaḥ
      kim idaṃ kuruṣe śeṣaprajānāṃ svasti vai kuru
  7 tvaṃ hi tīvreṇa tapasā prajās tāpayase 'nagha
      brūhi kāmaṃ ca me śeṣayat te hṛdi ciraṃ sthitam
  8 [ṣesa]
      sodaryā mama sarve hi bhrātaro mandacetasaḥ
      saha tair notsahe vastuṃ tad bhavān anumanyatām
  9 abhyasūyanti satataṃ parasparam amitravat
      tato 'haṃ tapa ātiṣṭhe naitān paśyeyam ity uta
  10 na marṣayanti satataṃ vinatāṃ sasutāṃ ca te
     asmākaṃ cāparo bhrātā vainateyaḥ pitāmaha
 11 taṃ ca dviṣanti te 'tyarthaṃ sa cāpi sumahābalaḥ
     varapradānāt sa pituḥ kaśyapasya mahātmanaḥ
 12 so 'haṃ tapaḥ samāsthāya mokṣyāmīdaṃ kalevaram
     kathaṃ me pretya bhāve 'pi na taiḥ syāt saha saṃgamaḥ
 13 [brahmā]
     jānāmi śeṣasarveṣāṃ bhrātṝṇāṃ te viceṣṭitam
     mātuś cāpy aparādhād vai bhrātṝṇāṃ te mahad bhayam
 14 kṛto 'tra parihāraś ca pūrvam eva bhujaṃgama
     bhrātṝṇāṃ tava sarveṣāṃ na śokaṃ kartum arhasi
 15 vṛṇīṣva ca varaṃ mattaḥ śeṣayat te 'bhikāṅkṣitam
     ditsāmi hi varaṃ te 'dya prītir me paramā tvayi
 16 diṣṭyā ca buddhir dharme te niviṣṭā pannagottama
     ato bhūyaś ca te buddhir dharme bhavatu susthirā
 17 [ṣesa]
     eṣa eva varo me 'dya kāṅkṣitaḥ prapitāmaha
     dharme me ramatāṃ buddhiḥ śame tapasi ceśvara
 18 [br]
     prīto 'smy anena te śeṣadamena praśamena ca
     tvayā tv idaṃ vacaḥ kāryaṃ manniyogāt prajāhitam
 19 imāṃ mahīṃ śailavanopapannāṃ; sasāgarāṃ sākara pattanāṃ ca
     tvaṃ śeṣasamyak calitāṃ yathāvat; saṃgṛhya tiṣṭhasva yathācalā syāt
 20 [ṣesa]
     yathāha devo varadaḥ prajāpatir; mahīpatir bhūtapatir jagatpatiḥ
     tathā mahīṃ dhārayitāsmi niścalāṃ; prayaccha tāṃ me śirasi prajāpate
 21 [br]
     adho mahīṃ gaccha bhujaṃgamottama; svayaṃ tavaiṣā vivaraṃ pradāsyati
     imāṃ dharāṃ dhārayatā tvayā hi me; mahat priyaṃ śeṣakṛtaṃ bhaviṣyati
 22 [s]
     tatheti kṛtvā vivaraṃ praviśya sa; prabhur bhuvo bhujaga varāgrajaḥ sthitaḥ
     bibharti devīṃ śirasā mahīm imāṃ; samudranemiṃ parigṛhya sarvataḥ
 23 [br]
     śeṣo 'si nāgottama dharmadevo; mahīm imāṃ dhārayase yad ekaḥ
     ananta bhogaḥ parigṛhya sarvāṃ; yathāham evaṃ balabhid yathā vā
 24 [s]
     adho bhūmer vasaty evaṃ nāgo 'nantaḥ pratāpavān
     dhārayan vasudhām ekaḥ śāsanād brahmaṇo vibhuḥ
 25 suparṇaṃ ca sakhāyaṃ vai bhagavān amarottamaḥ
     prādād anantāya tadā vainateyaṃ pitāmahaḥ

SECTION XXXII

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'O foremost of Brahmanas, the gods having prepared for battle in that way, Garuda, the king of birds, soon came upon those wise ones. And the gods beholding him of excessive strength began to quake with fear, and strike one another with all their weapons. And amongst those that guarded the Soma was Brahmana (the celestial architect), of measureless might, effulgent as the electric fire and of great energy. And after a terrific encounter lasting only a moment, managed by the lord of birds with his talons, beak, and wings, he lay as dead on the fields. And the ranger of the skies making the worlds dark with the dust raised by the hurricane of his wings, overwhelmed the celestials with it. And the latter, overwhelmed with that dust, swooned away. And the immortals who guarded the amrita, blinded by that dust, could no longer see Garuda. Even thus did Garuda agitate the region of the heavens. And even thus he mangled the gods with the wounds inflicted by his wings and beak.
"Then the god of a thousand eyes commanded Vayu (the god of wind), saying, 'Dispel thou this shower of dust soon. O Maruta, this is indeed, thy task. Then the mighty Vayu soon drove away that dust. And when the darkness had disappeared, the celestials attacked Garuda. And as he of
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great might was attacked by the gods, he began to roar aloud, like the great cloud that appeareth in the sky at the end of the Yuga, frightening every creature. And that king of birds, of great energy, that slayer of hostile heroes, then rose on his wings. All the wise ones (the celestials) with Indra amongst them armed with double-edged broad swords, iron maces furnished with sharp spikes, pointed lances, maces, bright arrows, and many a discus of the form of the sun, saw him over head. And the king of birds, attacked them on all sides with showers of various weapons and fought exceedingly hard without wavering for a moment. And the son of Vinata, of great prowess blazing in the sky, attacked the gods on all sides with his wings and breast. And blood began to flow copiously from the bodies of the gods mangled by the talons and the beak of Garuda. Overcome by the lord of birds, the Sadhyas with the Gandharvas fled eastwards, the Vasus with the Rudras towards the south, the Adityas towards the west, and the twin Aswins towards the north. Gifted with great energy, they retreated fighting, looking back every moment on their enemy.
"And Garuda had encounters with the Yakshas, Aswakranda of great courage, Rainuka, the bold Krathanaka, Tapana, Uluka, Swasanaka, Nimesha, Praruja, and Pulina. And the son of Vinata mangled them with his wings, talons, and beak, like Siva himself, that chastiser of enemies, and the holder of Pinaka in rage at the end of the Yuga. And those Yakshas of great might and courage, mangled all over by that ranger of the skies, looked like masses of black clouds dropping thick showers of blood.
"And Garuda, depriving them of life, and then went to where the amrita was. And he saw that it was surrounded on all sides by fire. And the terrible flames of that fire covered the entire sky. And moved by violent winds, they seemed bent on burning the Sun himself. The illustrious Garuda then assumed ninety times ninety mouths and quickly drinking the waters of many rivers with those mouths and returning with great speed, that chastiser of enemies, having wings for his vehicle extinguished that fire with that water. And extinguishing that fire, he assumed a very small form, desirous of entering into (the place where the Soma was).'"
So ends the thirty-second section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Book 1
Chapter 33

1 [s]
      mātuḥ sakāśāt taṃ śāpaṃ śrutvā pannagasattamaḥ
      vāsukiś cintayām āsa śāpo 'yaṃ na bhavet katham
  2 tataḥ sa mantrayām āsa bhrātṛbhiḥ saha sarvaśaḥ
      airāvataprabhṛtibhir ye sma dharmaparāyaṇāḥ
  3 [vā]
      ayaṃ śāpo yathoddhiṣṭo viditaṃ vas tathānaghāḥ
      tasya śāpasya mokṣārthaṃ mantrayitvā yatāmahe
  4 sarveṣām eva śāpānāṃ pratighāto hi vidyate
      na tu mātrābhiśaptānāṃ mokṣo vidyeta pannagāḥ
  5 avyayasyāprameyasya satyasya ca tathāgrataḥ
      śaptā ity eva me śrutvā jāyate hṛdi vepathuḥ
  6 nūnaṃ sarvavināśo 'yam asmākaṃ samudāhṛtaḥ
      na hy enāṃ so 'vyayo devaḥ śapantīṃ pratyaṣedhayat
  7 tasmāt saṃmantrayāmo 'tra bhujagānām anāmayam
      yathā bhaveta sarveṣāṃ mā naḥ kālo 'tyagād ayam
  8 api mantrayamāṇā hi hetuṃ paśyāma mokṣaṇe
      yathā naṣṭaṃ purā devā gūḍham agniṃ guhā gatam
  9 yathā sa yajño na bhaved yathā vāpi parābhavet
      janamejayasya sarpāṇāṃ vināśakaraṇāya hi
  10 [s]
     tathety uktvā tu te sarve kādraveyāḥ samāgatāḥ
     samayaṃ cakrire tatra mantrabuddhiviśāradāḥ
 11 eke tatrābruvan nāgā vayaṃ bhūtvā dvijarṣabhāḥ
     janamejayaṃ taṃ bhikṣāmo yajñas te na bhaved iti
 12 apare tv abruvan nāgās tatra paṇḍitamāninaḥ
     mantriṇo 'sya vayaṃ sarve bhaviṣyāmaḥ susaṃmatāḥ
 13 sa naḥ prakṣyati sarveṣu kāryeṣv arthaviniścayam
     tatra buddhiṃ pravakṣyāmo yathā yajño nivartate
 14 sa no bahumatān rājā buddhvā buddhimatāṃ varaḥ
     yajñārthaṃ prakṣyati vyaktaṃ neti vakṣyāmahe vayam
 15 darśayanto bahūn doṣān pretya ceha ca dāruṇān
     hetubhiḥ kāraṇaiś caiva yathā yajño bhaven na saḥ
 16 atha vā ya upādhyāyaḥ kratau tasmin bhaviṣyati
     sarpasatra vidhānajño rājakāryahite rataḥ
 17 taṃ gatvā daśatāṃ kaś cid bhujagaḥ sa mariṣyati
     tasmin hate yajñakare kratuḥ sa na bhaviṣyati
 18 ye cānye sarpasatrajñā bhaviṣyanty asya ṛtvijaḥ
     tāṃś ca sarvān daśiṣyāmaḥ kṛtam evaṃ bhaviṣyati
 19 tatrāpare 'mantrayanta dharmātmāno bhujaṃgamāḥ
     abuddhir eṣā yuṣmākaṃ brahmahatyā na śobhanā
 20 samyak sad dharmamūlā hi vyasane śāntir uttamā
     adharmottaratā nāma kṛtsnaṃ vyāpādayej jagat
 21 apare tv abruvan nāgāḥ samiddhaṃ jātavedasam
     varṣair nirvāpayiṣyāmo meghā bhūtvā savidyutaḥ
 22 srugbhāṇḍaṃ niśi gatvā vā apare bhujagottamāḥ
     pramattānāṃ harantv āśu vighna evaṃ bhaviṣyati
 23 yajñe vā bhujagās tasmiñ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
     janaṃ daśantu vai sarvam evaṃ trāso bhaviṣyati
 24 atha vā saṃskṛtaṃ bhojyaṃ dūṣayantu bhujaṃgamāḥ
     svena mūtra purīṣeṇa sarvabhojya vināśinā
 25 apare tv abruvaṃs tatra ṛtvijo 'sya bhavāmahe
     yajñavighnaṃ kariṣyāmo dīyatāṃ dakṣiṇā iti
     vaśyatāṃ ca gato 'sau naḥ kariṣyati yathepṣitam
 26 apare tv abruvaṃs tatra jale prakrīḍitaṃ nṛpam
     gṛham ānīya badhnīmaḥ kratur evaṃ bhaven na saḥ
 27 apare tv abruvaṃs tatra nāgāḥ sukṛtakāriṇaḥ
     daśāmainaṃ pragṛhyāśu kṛtam evaṃ bhaviṣyati
     chinnaṃ mūlam anarthānāṃ mṛte tasmin bhaviṣyati
 28 eṣā vai naiṣṭhikī buddhiḥ sarveṣām eva saṃmatā
     yathā vā manyase rājaṃs tat kṣipraṃ saṃvidhīyatām
 29 ity uktvā samudaikṣanta vāsukiṃ pannageśvaram
     vāsukiś cāpi saṃcintya tān uvāca bhujaṃgamān
 30 naiṣā vo naiṣṭhikī buddhir matā kartuṃ bhujaṃgamāḥ
     sarveṣām eva me buddhiḥ pannagānāṃ na rocate
 31 kiṃ tv atra saṃvidhātavyaṃ bhavatāṃ yad bhaved dhitam
     anenāhaṃ bhṛśaṃ tapye guṇadoṣau madāśrayau

SECTION XXXIII

(Astika Parva continued)

"Santi said, 'And that bird, assuming a golden body bright as the rays of the Sun, entered with great force (the region where the Soma was), like a torrent entering the ocean. And he saw, placed near the Soma, a wheel of steel keen-edged, and sharp as the razor, revolving incessantly. And that fierce instrument, of the splendour of the blazing sun and of terrible form, had been devised by the gods for cutting in pieces all robbers
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of the Soma. Garuda, seeing a passage through it, stopped there for a moment. Diminishing his body, in an instant he passed through the spokes of that wheel. Within the line of the wheel, he beheld, stationed there for guarding the Soma two great snakes of the effulgence of blazing fire, with tongues bright as the lightning-flash, of great energy, with mouth emitting fire, with blazing eyes, containing poison, very terrible, always in anger, and of great activity. Their eyes were ceaselessly inflamed with rage and were also winkless. He who may be seen by even one of the two would instantly be reduced to ashes. The bird of fair feathers suddenly covered their eyes with dust. And unseen by them he attacked them from all sides. And the son of Vinata, that ranger of the skies, attacking their bodies, mangled them into pieces. He then approached the Soma without loss of time. Then the mighty son of Vinata, taking up the Amrita from the place where it was kept, rose on his wings with great speed, breaking into pieces the machine that had surrounded it. And the bird soon came out, taking the Amrita but without drinking it himself. And he then wended on his way without the least fatigue, darkening the splendour of the Sun.
"And the son of Vinata then met Vishnu on his way along the sky. And Narayana was gratified at that act of self-denial on the part of Garuda. And that deity, knowing no deterioration, said unto the ranger of the skies, 'O, I am inclined to grant thee a boon.' The ranger of the skies thereupon said, 'I shall stay above thee.' And he again spake unto Narayana these words, 'I shall be immortal and free from disease without (drinking) Amrita.' Vishnu said unto the son of Vinata, 'Be it so.' Garuda, receiving those two boons, told Vishnu, 'I also shall grant thee a boon; therefore, let the possessor of the six attributes ask of me.' Vishnu then asked the mighty Garuda to become his carrier. And he made the bird sit on the flagstaff of his car, saying, 'Even thus thou shalt stay above me.' And the ranger of the skies, of great speed, saying unto Narayana, 'Be it so,' swiftly wended on his way, mocking the wind with his fleetness.
"And while that foremost of all rangers of the skies, that first of winged creatures, Garuda, was coursing through the air after wresting the Amrita, Indra hurled at him his thunderbolt. Then Garuda, the lord of birds, struck with thunderbolt, spake laughingly unto Indra engaged in the encounter, in sweet words, saying, 'I shall respect the Rishi (Dadhichi) of whose bone the Vajra hath been made. I shall also respect the Vajra, and thee also of a thousand sacrifices. I cast this feather of mine whose end thou shalt not attain. Struck with thy thunder I have not felt the slightest pain.' And having said this, the king of birds cast a feather of his. And all creatures became exceedingly glad, beholding that excellent feather of Garuda so cast off. And seeing that the feather was very beautiful, they said, 'Let this bird be called Suparna (having fair feathers). And Purandara of a thousand eyes, witnessing this wonderful incident, thought that bird to be some great being and addressed him thus.'
p. 81
"And Indra said, 'O best of birds, I desire to know the limit of thy great strength. I also desire eternal friendship with thee.'"
So ends the thirty-third section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Book 1
Chapter 34

 1 [s]
      śrutvā tu vacanaṃ teṣāṃ sarveṣām iti ceti ca
      vāsukeś ca vacaḥ śrutvā elāpatro 'bravīd idam
  2 na sa yajño na bhavitā na sa rājā tathāvidhaḥ
      janamejayaḥ pāṇḍaveyo yato 'smākaṃ mahābhayam
  3 daivenopahato rājanyo bhaved iha pūruṣaḥ
      sa daivam evāśrayate nānyat tatra parāyaṇam
  4 tad idaṃ daivam asmākaṃ bhayaṃ pannagasattamāḥ
      daivam evāśrayāmo 'tra śṛṇudhvaṃ ca vaco mama
  5 ahaṃ śāpe samutsṛṣṭe samaśrauṣaṃ vacas tadā
      mātur utsaṅgam ārūḍho bhayāt pannagasattamāḥ
  6 devānāṃ pannagaśreṣṭhās tīkṣṇās tīkṣṇā iti prabho
      pitāmaham upāgamya duḥkhārtānāṃ mahādyute
  7 [devāh]
      kā hi labdhvā priyān putrāñ śaped evaṃ pitāmaha
      ṛte kadrūṃ tīkṣṇarūpāṃ devadeva tavāgrataḥ
  8 tatheti ca vacas tasyās tvayāpy uktaṃ pitāmaha
      etad icchāma vijñātuṃ kāraṇaṃ yan na vāritā
  9 [br]
      bahavaḥ pannagās tīkṣṇā bhīmavīryā viṣolbaṇāḥ
      prajānāṃ hitakāmo 'haṃ na nivāritavāṃs tadā
  10 ye danda śūkāḥ kṣudrāś ca pāpacārā viṣolbaṇāḥ
     teṣāṃ vināśo bhavitā na tu ye dharmacāriṇaḥ
 11 yannimittaṃ ca bhavitā mokṣas teṣāṃ mahābhayāt
     pannagānāṃ nibodhadhvaṃ tasmin kāle tathāgate
 12 yāyāvara kule dhīmān bhaviṣyati mahān ṛṣiḥ
     jaratkārur iti khyātas tejasvī niyatendriyaḥ
 13 tasya putro jaratkāror utpatsyati mahātapāḥ
     āstīko nāmayajñaṃ sa pratiṣetsyati taṃ tadā
     tatra mokṣyanti bhujagā ye bhaviṣyanti dhārmikāḥ
 14 [devāh]
     sa munipravaro deva jarat kārur mahātapāḥ
     kasyāṃ putraṃ mahātmānaṃ janayiṣyati vīryavān
 15 [br]
     sanāmāyāṃ sanāmā sa kanyāyāṃ dvijasattamaḥ
     apatyaṃ vīryavān devā vīryavaj janayiṣyati
 16 [elāpatra]
     evam astv iti taṃ devāḥ pitāmaham athābruvan
     uktvā caivaṃ gatā devāḥ sa ca devaḥ pitāmahaḥ
 17 so 'ham evaṃ prapaśyāmi vāsuke bhaginīṃ tava
     jaratkārur iti khyātāṃ tāṃ tasmai pratipādaya
 18 bhaikṣavad bhikṣamāṇāya nāgānāṃ bhayaśāntaye
     ṛṣaye suvratāya tvam eṣa mokṣaḥ śruto mayā

SECTION XXXIV

(Astika Parva continued)

'Sauti continued, 'Garuda then said, 'O Purandara, let there be friendship between thee and me as thou desirest. My strength, know thou, is hard to bear. O thou of a thousand sacrifices, the good never approve of speaking highly of their own strength, nor do they speak of their own merits. But being made a friend, and asked by thee, O friend, I will answer thee, although self-praise without reason is ever improper. I can bear, on a single feather of mine, O Sakra, this Earth, with her mountains and forests and with the waters of the ocean, and with thee also stationed thereon. Know thou, my strength is such that I can bear without fatigue even all the worlds put together, with their mobile and immobile objects.'
"Sauti continued, 'O Saunaka, after Garuda of great courage had thus spoken, Indra the chief of the gods, the wearer of the (celestial) crown, ever bent upon the good of the worlds, replied, saying, 'It is as thou sayest. Everything is possible in thee. Accept now my sincere and hearty friendship. And if thou hast no concern with the Soma, return it to me. Those to whom thou wouldst give it would always oppose us.' Garuda answered, 'There is a certain reason for which the Soma is being carried by me. I shall not give the Soma to any one for drink. But, O thou of a thousand eyes, after I have placed it down, thou, O lord of the heavens, canst then, taking it up, instantly bring it away.' Indra then said, 'O oviparous one, I am highly gratified with these words now spoken by thee. O best of all rangers of the skies; accept from me any boon that thou desirest.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then Garuda, recollecting the sons of Kadru and remembering also the bondage of his mother caused by an act of deception owing to the well-known reason (viz., the curse of Aruna), said, 'Although I have power over all creatures, yet I shall do your bidding. Let, O Sakra, the mighty snakes become my food.' The slayer of the Danavas having said unto him, 'Be it so,' then went to Hari, the god of gods, of great soul, and the lord of Yogins. And the latter sanctioned everything that had been said by Garuda. And the illustrious lord of heaven again said unto Garuda, 'I shall bring away the Soma when thou placest it down.' And having said so, he bade farewell to Garuda. And the bird of fair feathers then went to the presence of his mother with great speed.
"And Garuda in joy then spake unto all the snakes, 'Here have I brought the Amrita. Let me place it on some Kusa grass. O ye snakes, sitting here, drink of it after ye have performed your ablutions and religious rites. As
p. 82
said by you, let my mother become, from this day, free, for I have accomplished your bidding.' The snakes having said unto Garuda, 'Be it so,' then went to perform their ablutions. Meanwhile, Sakra taking up the Amrita, wended back to heaven. The snakes after performing their ablutions, their daily devotions, and other sacred rites, returned in joy, desirous of drinking the Amrita. They saw that the bed of kusa grass whereon the Amrita had been placed was empty, the Amrita itself having been taken away by a counter-act of deception. And they began to lick with their tongues the kusa grass, as the Amrita had been placed thereon. And the tongues of the snakes by that act became divided in twain. And the kusa grass, too, from the contact with Amrita, became sacred thenceforth. Thus did the illustrious Garuda bring Amrita (from the heavens) for the snakes, and thus were the tongues of snakes divided by what Garuda did.
"Then the bird of fair feathers, very much delighted, enjoyed himself in those woods accompanied by his mother. Of grand achievements, and deeply reverenced by all rangers of the skies, he gratified his mother by devouring the snakes.
"That man who would listen to this story, or read it out to an assembly of good Brahmanas, must surely go to heaven, acquiring great merit from the recitation of (the feats of) Garuda.'"
And so ends the thirty-fourth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Book 1
Chapter 35

1 [s]
      elāpatrasya tu vacaḥ śrutvā nāgā dvijottama
      sarve prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ sādhu sādhv ity apūjayan
  2 tataḥ prabhṛti tāṃ kanyāṃ vāsukiḥ paryarakṣata
      jaratkāruṃ svasāraṃ vai paraṃ harṣam avāpa ca
  3 tato nātimahān kālaḥ samatīta ivābhavat
      atha devāsurāḥ sarve mamanthur varuṇālayam
  4 tatra netram abhūn nāgo vāsukir balināṃ varaḥ
      samāpyaiva ca tat karma pitāmaham upāgaman
  5 devā vāsukinā sārdhaṃ pitāmaham athābruvan
      bhagavañ śāpabhīto 'yaṃ vāsukis tapyate bhṛśam
  6 tasyedaṃ mānasaṃ śalyaṃ samuddhartuṃ tvam arhasi
      jananyāḥ śāpajaṃ deva jñātīnāṃ hitakāṅkṣiṇaḥ
  7 hito hy ayaṃ sadāsmākaṃ priyakārī ca nāgarāṭ
      kuru prasādaṃ deveśa śamayāsya mano jvaram
  8 [br]
      mayaivaitad vitīrṇaṃ vai vacanaṃ manasāmarāḥ
      elāpatreṇa nāgena yad asyābhihitaṃ purā
  9 tat karotv eṣa nāgendraḥ prāptakālaṃ vacas tathā
      vinaśiṣyanti ye pāpā na tu ye dharmacāriṇaḥ
  10 utpannaḥ sa jarat kārus tapasy ugre rato dvijaḥ
     tasyaiṣa bhaginīṃ kāle jaratkāruṃ prayacchatu
 11 yad elāpatreṇa vacas tadoktaṃ bhujagena ha
     pannagānāṃ hitaṃ devās tat tathā na tad anyathā
 12 [s]
     etac chrutvā sa nāgendraḥ pitāmahavacas tadā
     sarpān banūñ jaratkārau nityayuktān samādadhat
 13 jaratkārur yadā bhāryām icched varayituṃ prabhuḥ
     śīghram etya mamākhyeyaṃ tan naḥ śreyo bhaviṣyati

SECTION XXXV

(Astika Parva continued)

"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, thou hast told us the reason why the snakes were cursed by their mother, and why Vinata also was cursed by her son. Thou hast also told us about the bestowal of boons, by their husband, on Kadru and Vinata. Thou hast likewise told us the names of Vinata's sons. But thou hast not yet recited to us the names of the snakes. We are anxious to hear the names of the principal ones.'
"Sauti said, O thou whose wealth is asceticism, from fear of being lengthy, I shall not mention the names of all the snakes. But I will recite the names of the chief ones. Listen to me!
"Sesha was born first, and then Vasuki. (Then were born) Airavata, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Kalakeya, the serpent Mani, Purana, Pinjaraka, and Elapatra, Vamana, Nila, Anila, Kalmasha, Savala, Aryaka, Ugra, Kalasapotaka, Suramukha, Dadhimukha, Vimalapindaka, Apta, Karotaka, Samkha, Valisikha, Nisthanaka, Hemaguha, Nahusha, Pingala, Vahyakarna, Hastipada, Mudgarapindaka, Kamvala Aswatara, Kaliyaka, Vritta, Samvartaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Sankhamukha, Kushmandaka, Kshemaka, Pindaraka, Karavira, Pushpadanshtraka, Vilwaka,
p. 83
[paragraph continues] Vilwapandara, Mushikada, Sankhasiras, Purnabhadra, Haridraka, Aparajita, Jyotika, Srivaha, Kauravya, Dhritarashtra, Sankhapinda, Virajas, Suvahu, Salipinda, Prabhakara, Hastipinda, Pitharaka, Sumuksha, Kaunapashana, Kuthara, Kunjara, Kumuda, Kumudaksha, Tittri, Halika, Kardama, Vahumulaka, Karkara, Akarkara, Kundodara, and Mahodara.
"Thus, O best of regenerate ones, have I said the names of the principal serpents. From fear of being tedious I do not give names of the rest. O thou whose wealth is asceticism, the sons of these snakes, with their grandsons, are innumerable. Reflecting upon this, I shall not name them to thee. O best ascetics, in this world the number of snakes baffles calculation, there being many thousands and millions of them.'"
So ends the thirty-fifth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Book 1
Chapter 36

 1 [ṣ]
      jaratkārur iti proktaṃ yat tvayā sūtanandana
      icchāmy etad ahaṃ tasya ṛṣeḥ śrotuṃ mahātmanaḥ
  2 kiṃ kāraṇaṃ jaratkāror nāmaitat prathitaṃ bhuvi
      jaratkāru niruktaṃ tvaṃ yathāvad vaktum arhasi
  3 [s]
      jareti kṣayam āhur vai dāruṇaṃ kāru saṃjñitam
      śarīraṃ kāru tasyāsīt tat sa dhīmāñ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ
  4 kṣapayām āsa tīvreṇa tapasety ata ucyate
      jaratkārur iti brahman vāsuker bhaginī tathā
  5 evam uktas tu dharmātmā śaunakaḥ prāhasat tadā
      ugraśravasam āmantrya upapannam iti bruvan
  6 [s]
      atha kālasya mahataḥ sa muniḥ saṃśitavrataḥ
      tapasy abhirato dhīmān na dārān abhyakāṅkṣata
  7 sa ūrdhvaretās tapasi prasaktaḥ; svādhyāyavān vītabhayaklamaḥ san
      cacāra sarvāṃ pṛthivīṃ mahātmā; na cāpi dārān manasāpy akāṅkṣat
  8 tato 'parasmin saṃprāpte kāle kasmiṃś cid eva tu
      parikṣid iti vikhyāto rājā kauravavaṃśabhṛt
  9 yathā pāṇḍur mahābāhur dhanurdhara varo bhuvi
      babhūva mṛgayā śīlaḥ purāsya prapitāmahaḥ
  10 mṛgān vidhyan vahārāṃś ca tarakṣūn mahiṣāṃs tathā
     anyāṃś ca vividhān vanyāṃś cacāra pṛthivīpatiḥ
 11 sa kadā cin mṛgaṃ viddhvā bāṇena nataparvaṇā
     pṛṣṭhato dhanur ādāya sasāra gahane vane
 12 yathā hi bhagavān rudro viddhvā yajñamṛgaṃ divi
     anvagacchad dhanuṣpāṇiḥ paryanveṣaṃs tatas tataḥ
 13 na hi tena mṛgo viddho jīvan gacchati vai vanam
     pūrvarūpaṃ tu tan nūnam āsīt svargagatiṃ prati
     parikṣitas tasya rājño viddho yan naṣṭavān mṛgaḥ
 14 dūraṃ cāpahṛtas tena mṛgeṇa sa mahīpatiḥ
     pariśrāntaḥ pipāsārta āsasāda muniṃ vane
 15 gavāṃ pracāreṣv āsīnaṃ vatsānāṃ mukhaniḥsṛtam
     bhūyiṣṭham upayuñjānaṃ phenam āpibatāṃ payaḥ
 16 tam abhidrutya vegena sa rājā saṃśitavratam
     apṛcchad dhanur udyamya taṃ muniṃ kṣucchramānvitaḥ
 17 bho bho brahmann ahaṃ rājā parikṣid abhimanyujaḥ
     mayā viddho mṛgo naṣṭaḥ kac cit tvaṃ dṛṣṭavān asi
 18 sa munis tasya novāca kiṃ cin mauna vrate sthitaḥ
     tasya skandhe mṛtaṃ sarpaṃ kruddho rājā samāsajat
 19 dhanuṣkoṭyā samutkṣipya sa cainaṃ samudaikṣata
     na ca kiṃ cid uvācainaṃ śubhaṃ vā yadi vāśubham
 20 sa rājā krodham utsṛjya vyathitas taṃ tathāgatam
     dṛṣṭvā jagāma nagaram ṛṣis tv āste tathaiva saḥ
 21 taruṇas tasya putro 'bhūt tigmatejā mahātapāḥ
     śṛṅgī nāma mahākrodho duṣprasādo mahāvrataḥ
 22 sa devaṃ param īśānaṃ sarvabhūtahite ratam
     brahmāṇam upatasthe vai kāle kāle susaṃyataḥ
     sa tena samanujñāto brahmaṇā gṛham īyivān
 23 sakhyoktaḥ krīḍamānena sa tatra hasatā kila
     saṃrambhī kopano 'tīva viṣakalpa ṛṣeḥ sutaḥ
     ṛṣiputreṇa narmārthaṃ kṛśena dvijasattamaḥ
 24 tejasvinas tava pitā tathaiva ca tapasvinaḥ
     śavaṃ skandhena vahati mā śṛṅgin garvito bhava
 25 vyāharatsv ṛṣiputreṣu mā sma kiṃ cid vaco vadīḥ
     asmadvidheṣu siddheṣu brahmavitsu tapasviṣu
 26 kva te puruṣamānitvaṃ kva te vācas tathāvidhaḥ
     darpajāḥ pitaraṃ yas tvaṃ draṣṭā śavadharaṃ tathā

SECTION XXXVI

(Astika Parva continued)

"Saunaka said, 'O child, thou hast named many of the serpents gifted with great energy and incapable of being easily overcome. What did they do after hearing of that curse?'
"Sauti said, 'The illustrious Sesha amongst them, of great renown, leaving his mother practised hard penances, living upon air and rigidly observing his vows. He practised these ascetic devotions, repairing to Gandhamadana, Vadri, Gokarna, the woods of Pushkara, and the foot of Himavat. And he passed his days in those sacred regions, some of which were sacred for their water and others for their soil in the rigid observance of his vows, with singleness of aim, and his passions under complete control. And the Grandsire of all, Brahma, saw that ascetic with knotted hair, clad in rags, and his flesh, skin, and sinews dried up owing to the hard penances he was practising. And the Grandsire addressing him, that penance-practising one of great fortitude, said, 'What is that thorn doest, O Sesha? Let the welfare of the creatures of the worlds also engage thy thoughts. O sinless one, thou art afflicting all creatures by thy hard penances. O Sesha, tell me the desire implanted in thy breast.'
"And Sesha replied, 'My uterine brothers are all of wicked hearts. I do not desire to live amongst them. Let this be sanctioned by thee. Like enemies they are always jealous of one another. I am, therefore, engaged in ascetic devotions. I will not see them even. They never show any kindness for Vinata and her son. Indeed, Vinata's son capable of ranging through the skies, is another brother of ours. They always envy him. And he, too, is much stronger owing to the bestowal of that boon by our father, the high-souled Kasyapa. For these, I engaged in ascetic penances, and I will cast off this body of mine, so that I may avoid companionship with them, even in another state of life.'
p. 84
"Unto Sesha who had said so, the Grandsire said, 'O Sesha, I know the behaviour of all thy brothers and their great danger owing to their offence against their mother. But O Snake, a remedy (for this) hath been provided by me even beforehand. It behoveth thee not to grieve for thy brothers. O Sesha, ask of me the boon thou desirest. I have been highly gratified with thee and I will grant thee today a boon. O best of snakes, it is fortunate that thy heart hath been set on virtue. Let thy heart be more and more firmly set on virtue.'
"Then Sesha replied, 'O divine Grandsire, this is the boon desired by me; viz., may my heart always delight in virtue and in blessed ascetic penances, O Lord of all!'
"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thy self-denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be done by thee for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly and well this Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas and towns and retreats, so that she may be steady.'
"Sesha said, 'O divine Lord of all creatures, O bestower of boons, O lord of the Earth, lord of every created thing, lord of the universe, I will, even as thou sayest hold the Earth steady. Therefore, O lord of all creatures, place her on my head.'
"Brahman said, 'O best of snakes, go underneath the Earth. She will herself give thee a crevice to pass through. And, O Sesha, by holding the Earth, thou shalt certainly do what is prized by me very greatly.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then the elder brother of the king of the snakes, entering a hole, passed to the other side of the Earth, and holding her, supported with his head that goddess with her belt of seas passing all round.'
"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, O best of snakes, thou art the god Dharma, because alone, with thy huge body, thou supportest the Earth with everything on her, even as I myself, or Valavit (Indra), can.'
"Sauti continued, 'The snake, Sesha, the lord Ananta, of great prowess, lives underneath the Earth, alone supporting the world at the command of Brahman. And the illustrious Grandsire, the best of the immortals, then gave unto Ananta the bird of fair feathers, viz., the son of Vinata, for Ananta's help.'"
So ends the thirty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Book 1
Chapter 37

 1 [s]
      evam uktaḥ sa tejasvī śṛṅgī kopasamanvitaḥ
      mṛtadhāraṃ guruṃ śrutvā paryatapyata manyunā
  2 sa taṃ kṛśam abhipreṣkya sūnṛtāṃ vācam utsṛjan
      apṛcchata kathaṃ tātaḥ sa me 'dya mṛtadhārakaḥ
  3 [kṛṣa]
      rājñā parikṣitā tāta mṛgayāṃ paridhāvatā
      avasaktaḥ pitus te 'dya mṛtaḥ skandhe bhujaṃgamaḥ
  4 [ṣṛngī]
      kiṃ me pitrā kṛtaṃ tasya rājño 'niṣṭaṃ durātmanaḥ
      brūhi tvaṃ kṛśa tattvena paśya me tapaso balam
  5 [k]
      sa rājā mṛgayāṃ yātaḥ parikṣid abhimanyujaḥ
      sasāra mṛgam ekākī viddhvā bāṇena patriṇā
  6 na cāpaśyan mṛgaṃ rājā caraṃs tasmin mahāvane
      pitaraṃ te sa dṛṣṭvaiva papracchānabhibhāṣiṇam
  7 taṃ sthāṇubhūtaṃ tiṣṭhantaṃ kṣutpipāsā śramāturaḥ
      punaḥ punar mṛgaṃ naṣṭaṃ papraccha pitaraṃ tava
  8 sa ca mauna vratopeto naiva taṃ pratyabhāṣata
      tasya rājā dhanuṣkoṭyā sarpaṃ skandhe samāsṛjat
  9 śṛṅgiṃs tava pitādyāsau tathaivāste yatavrataḥ
      so 'pi rājā svanagaraṃ pratiyāto gajāhvayam
  10 [s]
     śrutvaivam ṛṣiputras tu divaṃ stabdhveva viṣṭhitaḥ
     kopasaṃrakta nayanaḥ prajvalann iva manyunā
 11 āviṣṭaḥ sa tu kopena śaśāpa nṛpatiṃ tadā
     vāry upaspṛśya tejasvī krodhavegabalāt kṛtaḥ
 12 [ṣṛ]
     yo 'sau vṛddhasya tātasya tathā kṛcchragatasya ca
     skandhe mṛtam avāsrākṣīt pannagaṃ rājakilbiṣī
 13 taṃ pāpam atisaṃkruddhas takṣakaḥ pannagottamaḥ
     āśīviṣas tigmatejā madvākyabalacoditaḥ
 14 saptarātrādito netā yamasya sadanaṃ prati
     dvijānām avamantāraṃ kurūṇām ayaśaḥ karam
 15 [s]
     iti śaptvā nṛpaṃ kruddhaḥ śṛṅgī pitaram abhyayāt
     āsīnaṃ gocare tasmin vahantaṃ śavapannagam
 16 sa tam ālakṣya pitaraṃ śṛṅgī skhandhagatena vai
     śavena bhujagenāsīd bhūyaḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ
 17 duḥkhāc cāśrūṇi mumuce pitaraṃ cedam abravīt
     śrutvemāṃ dharṣaṇāṃ tāta tava tena durātmanā
 18 rājñā parikṣitā kopād aśapaṃ tam ahaṃ nṛpam
     yathārhati sa evograṃ śāpaṃ kuru kulādhamaḥ
 19 saptame 'hani taṃ pāpaṃ takṣakaḥ pannagottamaḥ
     vaivasvatasya bhavanaṃ netā paramadāruṇam
 20 tam abravīt pitā brahmaṃs tathā kopasamanvitam
     na me priyaṃ kṛtaṃ tāta naiṣa dharmas tapasvinām
 21 vayaṃ tasya narendrasya viṣaye nivasāmahe
     nyāyato rakṣitās tena tasya pāpaṃ na rocaye
 22 sarvathā vartamānasya rājño hy asmadvidhaiḥ sadā
     kṣantavyaṃ putra dharmo hi hato hanti na saṃśayaḥ
 23 yadi rājā na rakṣeta pīḍā vai naḥ parā bhavet
     na śaknuyāma carituṃ dharmaṃ putra yathāsukham
 24 rakṣyamāṇā vayaṃ tāta rājabhiḥ śāstradṛṣṭibhiḥ
     carāmo vipulaṃ dharmaṃ teṣāṃ cāṃśo 'sti dharmataḥ
 25 parikṣit tu viśeṣeṇa yathāsya prapitāmahaḥ
     rakṣaty asmān yathā rājñā rakṣitavyāḥ prajās tathā
 26 teneha kṣudhitenādya śrāntena ca tapasvinā
     ajānatā vratam idaṃ kṛtam etad asaṃśayam
 27 tasmād idaṃ tvayā bālyāt sahasā duṣkṛtaṃ kṛtam
     na hy arhati nṛpaḥ śāpam asmattaḥ putra sarvathā

SECTION XXXVII

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'That best of snakes, viz., Vasuki, hearing the curse of his mother, reflected how to render it abortive. He held a consultation with all his brothers, Airavata and others, intent upon doing what they deemed
p. 85
best for themselves.'
"And Vasuki said, 'O ye sinless ones, the object of this curse is known to you. It behoveth us to strive to neutralise it. Remedies certainly exist for all curses, but no remedy can avail those cursed by their mother. Hearing that this curse hath been uttered in the presence of the Immutable, the Infinite, and the True one, my heart trembleth. Surely, our annihilation hath come. Otherwise why should not the Immutable Lord prevent our mother while uttering the curse? Therefore, let us consult today how we may secure the safety of the snakes. Let us not waste time. All of you are wise and discerning. We will consult together and find out the means of deliverance as (did) the gods of yore to regain lost Agni who had concealed himself within a cave, so that Janamejaya's sacrifice for the destruction of the snakes may not take place, and so that we may not meet with destruction.'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed all the offspring of Kadru assembled together, and, wise in counsels, submitted their opinions to one another. One party of the serpents said, 'We should assume the guise of superior Brahmanas, and beseech Janamejaya, saying, 'This (intended) sacrifice of yours ought not to take place.' Other snakes thinking themselves wise, said, 'We should all become his favourite counsellors. He will then certainly ask for our advice in all projects. And we will then give him such advice that the sacrifice may be obstructed. The king, the foremost of wise men, thinking us of sterling worth will certainly ask us about his sacrifice. We will say, 'It must not be!' And pointing to many serious evils in this and the next worlds, we will take care that the sacrifice may not take place. Or, let one of the snakes, approaching, bite the person who, intending the monarch's good, and well-acquainted with the rites of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed as the sacrificial priest, so that he will die. The sacrificial priest dying, the sacrifice will not be completed. We will also bite all those who, acquainted with the rites of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed Ritwiks of the sacrifice, and by that means attain our object.' Other snakes, more virtuous and kind, said, 'O, this counsel of yours is evil. It is not meet to kill Brahmanas. In danger, that remedy is proper, which is blessed on the practices of the righteous. Unrighteousness finally destroyeth the world.' Other serpents said, 'We will extinguish the blazing sacrificial fire by ourselves becoming clouds luminous with lightning and pouring down showers.' Other snakes, the best of their kind, proposed, 'Going, by night, let us steal away the vessel of Soma juice. That will disturb the rite. Or, at that sacrifice, let the snakes, by hundreds and thousands, bite the people, and spread terror around. Or, let the serpents defile the pure food with their food-defiling urine and dung.' Others said, 'Let us become the king's Ritwiks, and obstruct his sacrifice by saying at the outset, 'Give us the sacrificial fee.' He (the king), being placed in our power, will do whatever we like.' Others there said, 'When the king will sport in the waters, we
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will carry him to our home and bind him, so that that sacrifice will not take place!' Other serpents who deemed themselves wise, said, 'Approaching the king, let us bite him, so that our object will be accomplished. By his death the root of all evil will be torn up. This is the final deliberation of us all, O thou who hearest with thy eyes! Then, do speedily what thou deemest proper.' Having said this, they looked intently at Vasuki, that best of snakes. And Vasuki also, after reflecting, answered saying, 'Ye snakes, this final determination of you doth not seem worthy of adoption. The advice of you all is not to my liking. What shall I say which would be for your good? I think the grace of the illustrious Kasyapa (our father) can alone do us good. Ye snakes, my heart doth not know which of all your suggestions is to be adopted for the welfare of my race as also of me. That must be done by me which would be to your weal. It is this that makes me so anxious, for the credit or the discredit (of the measure) is mine alone.'"
So ends the thirty-seventh section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Book 1
Chapter 38

1 [ṣṛ]
      yady etat sāhasaṃ tāta yadi vā duṣkṛtaṃ kṛtam
      priyaṃ vāpy apriyaṃ vā te vāg uktā na mṛṣā mayā
  2 naivānyathedaṃ bhavitā pitar eṣa bravīmi te
      nāhaṃ mṛṣā prabravīmi svaireṣv api kutaḥ śapan
  3 [ṣamīka]
      jānāmy ugraprabhāvaṃ tvāṃ putra satyagiraṃ tathā
      nānṛtaṃ hy uktapūrvaṃ te naitan mithyā bhaviṣyati
  4 pitrā putro vayaḥstho 'pi satataṃ vācya eva tu
      yathā syād guṇasaṃyuktaḥ prāpnuyāc ca mahad yaśaḥ
  5 kiṃ punar bāla eva tvaṃ tapasā bhāvitaḥ prabho
      vardhate ca prabhavatāṃ kopo 'tīva mahātmanām
  6 so 'haṃ paśyāmi vaktavyaṃ tvayi dharmabhṛtāṃ vara
      putratvaṃ bālatāṃ caiva tavāvekṣya ca sāhasam
  7 sa tvaṃ śama yuto bhūtvā vanyam āhāram āharan
      cara krodham imaṃ tyaktvā naivaṃ dharmaṃ prahāsyasi
  8 krodho hi dharmaṃ harati yatīnāṃ duḥkhasaṃcitam
      tato dharmavihīnānāṃ gatir iṣṭā na vidyate
  9 śama eva yatīnāṃ hi kṣamiṇāṃ siddhikārakaḥ
      kṣamāvatām ayaṃ lokaḥ paraś caiva kṣamāvatām
  10 tasmāc carethāḥ satataṃ kṣamā śīlo jitendriyaḥ
     kṣamayā prāpsyase lokān brahmaṇaḥ samanantarān
 11 mayā tu śamam āsthāya yac chakyaṃ kartum adya vai
     tat kariṣye 'dya tātāhaṃ preṣayiṣye nṛpāya vai
 12 mama putreṇa śapto 'si bālenākṛta buddhinā
     mamemāṃ dharṣaṇāṃ tvattaḥ prekṣya rājann amarṣiṇā
 13 [s]
     evamādiśya śiṣyaṃ sa preṣayām āsa suvrataḥ
     parikṣite nṛpataye dayāpanno mahātapāḥ
 14 saṃdiśya kuśalapraśnaṃ kāryavṛttāntam eva ca
     śiṣyaṃ gaura mukhaṃ nāma śīlavantaṃ samāhitam
 15 so 'bhigamya tataḥ śīghraṃ narendraṃ kuruvardhanam
     viveśa bhavanaṃ rājñaḥ pūrvaṃ dvāḥsthair niveditaḥ
 16 pūjitaś ca narendreṇa dvijo gaura mukhas tataḥ
     ācakhyau pariviśrānto rājñe sarvam aśeṣataḥ
     śamīka vacanaṃ ghoraṃ yathoktaṃ mantrisaṃnidhau
 17 śamīko nāma rājendra viṣaye vartate tava
     ṛṣiḥ paramadharmātmā dāntaḥ śānto mahātapāḥ
 18 tasya tvayā naravyāghra sarpaḥ prāṇair viyojitaḥ
     avasakto dhanuṣkoṭyā skhandhe bharatasattama
     kṣāntavāṃs tava tat karma putras tasya na cakṣame
 19 tena śapto 'si rājendra pitur ajñātam adya vai
     takṣakaḥ saptarātreṇa mṛtyus te vai bhaviṣyati
 20 tatra rakṣāṃ kuruṣveti punaḥ punar athābravīt
     tad anyathā na śakyaṃ ca kartuṃ kena cid apy uta
 21 na hi śaknoti saṃyantuṃ putraṃ kopasamanvitam
     tato 'haṃ preṣitas tena tava rājan hitārthinā
 22 iti śrutvā vaco ghoraṃ sa rājā kurunandanaḥ
     paryatapyata tat pāpaṃ kṛtvā rājā mahātapāḥ
 23 taṃ ca mauna vratadharaṃ śrutvā munivaraṃ tadā
     bhūya evābhavad rājā śokasaṃtapta mānasaḥ
 24 anukrośātmatāṃ tasya śamīkasyāvadhārya tu
     paryatapyata bhūyo 'pi kṛtvā tat kilbiṣaṃ muneḥ
 25 na hi mṛtyuṃ tathā rājā śrutvā vai so 'nvatapyata
     aśocad amaraprakhyo yathā kṛtveha karma tat
 26 tatas taṃ preṣayām āsa rājā gaura mukhaṃ tadā
     bhūyaḥ prasādaṃ bhagavān karotv iti mameti vai
 27 tasmiṃś ca gatamātre vai rājā gaura mukhe tadā
     mantribhir mantrayām āsa saha saṃvignamānasaḥ
 28 niścitya mantribhiś caiva sahito mantratattvavit
     prāsādaṃ kārayām āsa ekastambhaṃ surakṣitam
 29 rakṣāṃ ca vidadhe tatra bhiṣajaś cauṣadhāni ca
     brāhmaṇān siddhamantrāṃś ca sarvato vai nyaveśayat
 30 rājakāryāṇi tatrasthaḥ sarvāṇy evākaroc ca saḥ
     mantribhiḥ sahadharmajñaḥ samantāt parirakṣitaḥ
 31 prāpte tu divase tasmin saptame dvijasattama
     kāśyapo 'bhyāgamad vidvāṃs taṃ rājānaṃ cikitsitum
 32 śrutaṃ hi tena tad abhūd adya taṃ rājasattamam
     takṣakaḥ pannagaśreṣṭho neṣyate yamasādanam
 33 taṃ daṣṭaṃ pannagendreṇa kariṣye 'ham apajvaram
     tatra me 'rthaś ca dharmaś ca bhaviteti vicintayan
 34 taṃ dadarśa sa nāgendras takṣakaḥ kāśyapaṃ pathi
     gacchantam ekamanasaṃ dvijo bhūtvā vayo 'tigaḥ
 35 tam abravīt pannagendraḥ kāśyapaṃ munipuṃgavam
     kva bhavāṃs tvarito yāti kiṃ ca kāryaṃ cikīrṣati
 36 [k]
     nṛpaṃ kuru kulotpannaṃ parikṣitam ariṃdamam
     takṣakaḥ pannagaśreṣṭhas tejasādya pradhakṣyati
 37 taṃ daṣṭaṃ pannagendreṇa tenāgnisamatejasā
     pāṇḍavānāṃ kulakaraṃ rājānam amitaujasam
     gacchāmi saumya tvaritaṃ sadyaḥ kartum apajvaram
 38 [t]
     ahaṃ sa takṣako brahmaṃs taṃ dhakṣyāmi mahīpatim
     nivartasva na śaktas tvaṃ mayā daṣṭaṃ cikitsitum
 39 [k]
     ahaṃ taṃ nṛpatiṃ nāga tvayā daṣṭam apajvaram
     kariṣya iti me buddhir vidyā balam upāśritaḥ

SECTION XXXVIII

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'Hearing the respective speeches of all the snakes, and hearing also the words of Vasuki, Elapatra began to address them, saying, 'That sacrifice is not one that can be prevented. Nor is king Janamejaya of the Pandava race from whom this fear proceedeth, such that he can be hindered. The person, O king, who is afflicted by fate hath recourse to fate alone; nothing else can be his refuge. Ye best of snakes, this fear of ours hath fate for its root. Fate alone must be our refuge in this. Listen to what I say. When that curse was uttered, ye best of snakes, in fear I lay crouching on the lap of our mother. Ye best of snakes, and O lord (Vasuki) of great splendour, from that place I heard the words the sorrowing gods spake unto the Grandsire. The gods said, 'O Grandsire, thou god of gods who else than the cruel Kadru could thus, after getting such dear children, curse them so, even in thy presence? And, O Grandsire, by thee also hath been spoken, with reference to those words of hers, 'Be it so.' We wish to know the reason why thou didst not prevent her.' Brahman replied, 'The snakes have multiplied. They are cruel, terrible in form and highly poisonous. From desire of the good of my creatures, I did not prevent Kadru then. Those poisonous serpents and others who are sinful, biting others for no faults, shall, indeed, be destroyed, but not they who are harmless and virtuous. And hear also, how, when the hour comes, the snakes may escape this dreadful calamity. There shall be born in the race of the Yayavaras a great Rishi known by the name of Jaratkaru, intelligent, with passions under complete control. That Jaratkaru shall have a son of the name of
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[paragraph continues] Astika. He shall put a stop to that sacrifice. And those snakes who shall be virtuous shall escape therefrom. The gods said, 'O thou truth-knowing one, on whom will Jaratkaru, that foremost Muni, gifted with great energy and asceticism, beget that illustrious son?' Brahma answered, 'Gifted with great energy, that best Brahmana shall beget a son possessed of great energy on a wife of the same name as his. Vasuki, the king of the snakes, hath a sister of the name of Jaratkaru; the son, of whom I speak, shall be born of her, and he shall liberate the snakes.'
"Elapatra continued, 'The gods then said unto the Grandsire, 'Be it so.' And the lord Brahman, having said so unto the gods, went to heaven. O Vasuki, I see before me that sister of thine known by the name of Jaratkaru. For relieving us from fear, give her as alms unto him (i.e., the Rishi), Jaratkaru, of excellent vows, who shall roam abegging for a bride. This means of release hath been heard of by me!'"

Book 1
Chapter 39

 1 [taksaka]
      daṣṭaṃ yadi mayeha tvaṃ śaktaḥ kiṃ cic cikitsitum
      tato vṛkṣaṃ mayā daṣṭam imaṃ jīvaya kāśyapa
  2 paraṃ mantrabalaṃ yat te tad darśaya yatasya ca
      nyagrodham enaṃ dhakṣyāmi paśyatas te dvijottama
  3 [k]
      daśanāgendra vṛkṣaṃ tvaṃ yam enam abhimanyase
      aham enaṃ tvayā daṣṭaṃ jīvayiṣye bhujaṃgama
  4 [s]
      evam uktaḥ sa nāgendraḥ kāśyapena mahātmanā
      adaśad vṛkṣam abhyetya nyagrodhaṃ pannagottamaḥ
  5 sa vṛkṣas tena daṣṭaḥ san sadya eva mahādyute
      āśīviṣaviṣopetaḥ prajajvāla samantataḥ
  6 taṃ dagdhvā sa nagaṃ nāgaḥ kaśyapaṃ punar abravīt
      kuru yatnaṃ dvijaśreṣṭha jīvayainaṃ vanaspatim
  7 bhasmībhūtaṃ tato vṛkṣaṃ pannagendrasya tejasā
      bhasma sarvaṃ samāhṛtya kāśyapo vākyam abravīt
  8 vidyā balaṃ pannagendrapaśya me 'smin vanaspatau
      ahaṃ saṃjīvayāmy enaṃ paśyatas te bhujaṃgama
  9 tataḥ sa bhagavān vidvān kāśyapo dvijasattamaḥ
      bhasmarāśīkṛtaṃ vṛkṣaṃ vidyayā samajīvayat
  10 aṅkuraṃ taṃ sa kṛtavāṃs tataḥ parṇadvayānvitam
     palāśinaṃ śākhinaṃ ca tathā viṭapinaṃ punaḥ
 11 taṃ dṛṣṭvā jīvitaṃ vṛkṣaṃ kāśyapena mahātmanā
     uvāca takṣako brahmann etad atyadbhutaṃ tvayi
 12 viprendra yad viṣaṃ hanyā mama vā madvidhasya vā
     kaṃ tvam artham abhiprepsur yāsi tatra tapodhana
 13 yat te 'bhilaṣitaṃ prāptuṃ phalaṃ tasmān nṛpottamāt
     aham eva pradāsyāmi tat te yady api durlabham
 14 vipra śāpābhibhūte ca kṣīṇāyuṣi narādhipe
     ghaṭamānasya te vipra siddhiḥ saṃśayitā bhavet
 15 tato yaśaḥ pradīptaṃ te triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam
     viraśmir iva gharmāṃśur antardhānam ito vrajet
 16 [k]
     dhanārthī yāmy ahaṃ tatra tan me ditsa bhujaṃgama
     tato 'haṃ vinivartiṣye gṛhāyoraga sattama
 17 [t]
     yāvad dhanaṃ prārthayase tasmād rājñas tato 'dhikam
     ahaṃ te 'dya pradāsyāmi nivartasva dvijottama
 18 [s]
     takṣakasya vacaḥ śrutvā kāśyapo dvijasattamaḥ
     pradadhyau sumahātejā rājānaṃ prati buddhimān
 19 divyajñānaḥ sa tejasvī jñātvā taṃ nṛpatiṃ tadā
     kṣīṇāyuṣaṃ pāṇḍaveyam apāvartata kāśyapaḥ
     labdhvā vittaṃ munivaras takṣakād yāvad īpsitam
 20 nivṛtte kāśyape tasmin samayena mahātmani
     jagāma takṣakas tūrṇaṃ nagaraṃ nāgasāhvayam
 21 atha śuśrāva gacchan sa takṣako jagatīpatim
     mantrāgadair viṣaharai rakṣyamāṇaṃ prayatnataḥ
 22 sa cintayām āsa tadā māyāyogena pārthivaḥ
     mayā vañcayitavyo 'sau ka upāyo bhaved iti
 23 tatas tāpasarūpeṇa prāhiṇot sa bhujaṃgamān
     phalapatrodakaṃ gṛhya rājñe nāgo 'tha takṣakaḥ
 24 [t]
     gacchadhvaṃ yūyam avyagrā rājānaṃ kāryavattayā
     phalapatrodakaṃ nāma pratigrāhayituṃ nṛpam
 25 [s]
     te takṣaka samādiṣṭās tathā cakrur bhujaṃgamāḥ
     upaninyus tathā rājñe darbhān āpaḥ phalāni ca
 26 tac ca sarvaṃ sa rājendraḥ pratijagrāha vīryavān
     kṛtvā ca teṣāṃ kāryāṇi gamyatām ity uvāca tān
 27 gateṣu teṣu nāgeṣu tāpasac chadma rūpiṣu
     amātyān suhṛdaś caiva provāca sa narādhipaḥ
 28 bhakṣayantu bhavanto vai svādūnīmāni sarvaśaḥ
     tāpasair upanītāni phalāni sahitā mayā
 29 tato rājā sasacivaḥ phalāny ādātum aicchata
     yad gṛhītaṃ phalaṃ rājñā tatra kṛmir abhūd aṇuḥ
     hrasvakaḥ kṛṣṇa nayanas tāmro varṇena śaunaka
 30 sa taṃ gṛhya nṛpaśreṣṭhaḥ sacivān idam abravīt
     astam abhyeti savitā viṣād adya na me bhayam
 31 satyavāg astu sa muniḥ kṛmiko māṃ daśatv ayam
     takṣako nāma bhūtvā vai tathā parihṛtaṃ bhavet
 32 te cainam anvavartanta mantriṇaḥ kālacoditāḥ
     evam uktvā sa rājendro grīvāyāṃ saṃniveśya ha
     kṛmikaṃ prāhasat tūrṇaṃ mumūrṣur naṣṭacetanaḥ
 33 hasann eva ca bhogena takṣakeṇābhiveṣṭitaḥ
     tasmāt phalād viniṣkramya yat tad rājñe niveditam

SECTION XXXIX

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'O best of regenerate ones, hearing these words of Elapatra, all the serpents, in great delight, exclaimed, 'Well said, well said!' And from that time Vasuki set about carefully bringing up that maiden, viz., his sister Jaratkaru. And he took great delight in rearing her.
"And much time did not elapse from this, when the gods and the Asuras, assembling together, churned the abode of Varuna. And Vasuki, the foremost of all gifted with strength, became the churning-cord. And directly the work was over, the king of the snakes presented himself before the Grandsire. And the gods, accompanied by Vasuki, addressed the Grandsire, saying, 'O lord, Vasuki is suffering great affliction from fear of (his mother's curse). It behoveth thee to root out the sorrow, begotten of the curse of his mother, that hath pierced the heart of Vasuki desirous of the weal of his race. The king of the snakes is ever our friend and benefactor. O Lord of the gods, be gracious unto him and assuage his mind's fever.'
"Brahman replied, 'O ye immortals, I have thought, in my mind, of what ye have said. Let the king of the snakes do that which hath been communicated to him before by Elapatra. The time hath arrived. Those only shall be destroyed that are wicked, not those that are virtuous. Jaratkaru hath been born, and that Brahmana is engaged in hard ascetic penances. Let Vasuki, at the proper time, bestow on him his sister. Ye gods, what hath been spoken by the snake Elapatra for the weal of the snakes is true and not otherwise.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then the king of the snakes, Vasuki, afflicted with the curse of his mother, hearing these words of the Grandsire, and intending to bestow his sister of the Rishi Jaratkaru, commanded all the serpents, a
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large numbers of whom were ever attentive to their duties, to watch the Rishi Jaratkaru, saying, 'When the lord Jaratkaru will ask for a wife, come immediately and inform me of it. The weal of our race depends upon it.'"

Book 1
Chapter 40

1 [s]
      taṃ tathā mantriṇo dṛṣṭvā bhogena pariveṣṭitam
      vivarṇavadanāḥ sarve rurudur bhṛśaduḥkhitāḥ
  2 taṃ tu nādaṃ tataḥ śrutvā mantriṇas te pradudruvuḥ
      apaśyaṃś caiva te yāntam ākāśe nāgam adbhutam
  3 sīmantam iva kurvāṇaṃ nabhasaḥ padmavarcasam
      takṣakaṃ pannagaśreṣṭhaṃ bhṛśaṃ śokaparāyaṇāḥ
  4 tatas tu te tadgṛham agninā vṛtaṃ; pradīpyamānaṃ viṣajena bhoginaḥ
      bhayāt parityajya diśaḥ prapedire; papāta tac cāśani tāḍitaṃ yathā
  5 tato nṛpe takṣaka tejasā hate; prayujya sarvāḥ paralokasatkriyāḥ
      śucir dvijo rājapurohitas tadā; tathaiva te tasya nṛpasya mantriṇaḥ
  6 nṛpaṃ śiśuṃ tasya sutaṃ pracakrire; sametya sarve puravāsino janāḥ
      nṛpaṃ yam āhus tam amitraghātinaṃ; kurupravīraṃ janamejayaṃ janāḥ
  7 sa bāla evārya matir nṛpottamaḥ; sahaiva tair mantripurohitais tadā
      śaśāsa rājyaṃ kurupuṃgavāgrajo; yathāsya vīraḥ prapitāmahas tathā
  8 tatas tu rājānam amitratāpanaṃ; samīkṣya te tasya nṛpasya mantriṇaḥ
      suvarṇavarmāṇam upetya kāśipaṃ; vapuṣṭamārthaṃ varayāṃ pracakramuḥ
  9 tataḥ sa rājā pradadau vapuṣṭamāṃ; kurupravīrāya parīkṣya dharmataḥ
      sa cāpi tāṃ prāpya mudā yuto 'bhavan; na cānyanārīṣu mano dadhe kva cit
  10 saraḥsu phulleṣu vaneṣu caiva ha; prasannacetā vijahāra vīryavān
     tathā sa rājanya varo vijahrivān; yathorvaśīṃ prāpya purā purūravāḥ
 11 vapuṣṭamā cāpi varaṃ patiṃ tadā; pratītarūpaṃ samavāpya bhūmipam
     bhāvena rāmā ramayāṃ babhūva vai; vihārakāleṣv avarodha sundarī

SECTION XL

(Astika Parva continued)

"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, I desire to know the reason why the illustrious Rishi whom thou hast named Jaratkaru came to be so called on earth. It behoveth thee to tell us the etymology of the name Jaratkaru.'
"Sauti said, 'Jara is said to mean waste, and Karu implies huge. This Rishi's body had been huge, and he gradually reduced it by severe ascetic penances. For the same reason, O Brahmanas, the sister of Vasuki was called Jaratkaru.'
The virtuous Saunaka, when he heard this, smiled and addressing Ugrasravas said, 'It is even so.'
Saunaka then said, 'I have heard all that thou hast before recited. I desire to know how Astika was born.'
Sauti, on hearing these words, began to relate according to what was written in the Sastras.
"Sauti said, 'Vasuki, desirous of bestowing his sister upon the Rishi Jaratkaru, gave the snakes (necessary) orders. But days went on, yet that wise Muni of rigid vows, deeply engaged in ascetic devotions, did not seek for a wife. That high-souled Rishi, engaged in studies and deeply devoted to asceticism, his vital seed under full control, fearlessly wandered over the whole earth and had no wish for a wife.
"Afterwards, once upon a time, there was a king, O Brahmana, of the name of Parikshit, born in the race of the Kauravas. And, like his great-grandfather Pandu of old, he was of mighty arms, the first of all bearers of bows in battle, and fond of hunting. And the monarch wandered about, hunting deer, and wild boars, and wolves, and buffaloes and various other kinds of wild animals. One day, having pierced a deer with a sharp arrow and slung his bow on his back, he penetrated into the deep forest, searching for the animal here and there, like the illustrious Rudra himself of old pursuing in the heavens, bow in hand, the deer which was Sacrifice, itself turned into that shape, after the piercing. No deer that was pierced by Parikshit had ever escaped in the wood with life. This deer, however wounded as before, fled with speed, as the (proximate) cause of the king's attainment to heaven. And the deer that Parikshit--that king of men--had pierced was lost to his gaze and drew the monarch far away into the forest. And fatigued and thirsty, he came across a Muni, in the forest, seated in a cow-pen and drinking to his fill the froth oozing out of the mouths of
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calves sucking the milk of their dams. And approaching him hastily, the monarch, hungry and fatigued, and raising his bow, asked that Muni of rigid vows, saying, 'O Brahmana, I am king Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu. A deer pierced by me hath been lost. Hast thou seen it?' But that Muni observing then the vow of silence, spoke not unto him a word. And the king in anger thereupon placed upon his shoulder a dead snake, taking it up with the end of his bow. The Muni suffered him to do it without protest. And he spoke not a word, good or bad. And the king seeing him in that state, cast off his anger and became sorry. And he returned to his capital but the Rishi continued in the same state. The forgiving Muni, knowing that the monarch who was a tiger amongst kings was true to the duties of his order, cursed him not, though insulted. That tiger amongst monarchs, that foremost one of Bharata's race, also did not know that the person whom he had so insulted was a virtuous Rishi. It was for this that he had so insulted him.
"That Rishi had a son by name Sringin, of tender years, gifted with great energy, deep in ascetic penances, severe in his vows, very wrathful, and difficult to be appeased. At times, he worshipped with great attention and respect his preceptor seated with ease on his seat and ever engaged in the good of creatures.
"And commanded by his preceptor, he was coming home when, O best of Brahmanas, a companion of his, a Rishi's son named Krisa in a playful mood laughingly spoke unto him. And Sringin, wrathful and like unto poison itself, hearing these words in reference to his father, blazed up in rage.'
"And Krisa said, 'Be not proud, O Sringin, for ascetic as thou art and possessed of energy, thy father bears on his shoulders a dead snake. Henceforth speak not a word to sons of Rishis like ourselves who have knowledge of the truth, are deep in ascetic penances, and have attained success. Where is that manliness of thine, those high words of thine begotten of pride, when thou must have to behold thy father bearing a dead snake? O best of all the Munis, thy father too had done nothing to deserve this treatment, and it is for this that I am particularly sorry as if the punishment were mine.'"

The Sacred  Scripture of  great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata in Sanskrit

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 

Book 1 (Adiparva)

Book 1
Chapter 41

1 [s]
      etasminn eva kāle tu jaratkārur mahātapāḥ
      cacāra pṛthivīṃ kṛtsnāṃ yatrasāyaṃ gṛho muniḥ
  2 caran dīkṣāṃ mahātejā duścarām akṛtātmabhiḥ
      tīrtheṣv āplavanaṃ kurvan puṇyeṣu vicacāra ha
  3 vāyubhakṣo nirāhāraḥ śuṣyann ahar ahar muniḥ
      sa dadarśa pitṝn garte lambamānān adhomukhān
  4 ekatantv avaśiṣṭaṃ vai vīraṇastambam āśritān
      taṃ ca tantuṃ śanair ākhum ādadānaṃ bilāśrayam
  5 nirāhārān kṛśān dīnān garte ''rtāṃs trāṇam icchataḥ
      upasṛtya sa tān dīnān dīnarūpo 'bhyabhāṣata
  6 ke bhavanto 'valambante vīraṇastambam āśritāḥ
      durbalaṃ khāditair mūlair ākhunā bilavāsinā
  7 vīraṇastambake mūlaṃ yad apy ekam iha sthitam
      tad apy ayaṃ śanair ākhur ādatte daśanaiḥ śitaiḥ
  8 chetsyate 'lpāvaśiṣṭatvād etad apy acirād iva
      tataḥ stha patitāro 'tra garte asminn adhomukhāḥ
  9 tato me duḥkham utpannaṃ dṛṣṭvā yuṣmān adhomukhān
      kṛcchrām āpadam āpannān priyaṃ kiṃ karavāṇi vaḥ
  10 tapaso 'sya caturthena tṛtīyenāpi vā punaḥ
     ardhena vāpi nistartum āpadaṃ brūta māciram
 11 atha vāpi samagreṇa tarantu tapasā mama
     bhavantaḥ sarva evāsmāt kāmam evaṃ vidhīyatām
 12 [pitarah]
     ṛddho bhavān brahma cārī yo nas trātum ihecchati
     na tu viprāgrya tapasā śakyam etad vyapohitum
 13 asti nas tāta tapasaḥ phalaṃ pravadatāṃ vara
     saṃtānaprakṣayād brahman patāmo niraye 'śucau
 14 lambatām iha nas tāta na jñānaṃ pratibhāti vai
     yena tvāṃ nābhijānīmo loke vikhyātapauruṣam
 15 ṛddho bhavān mahābhāgo yo naḥ śocyān suduḥkhitān
     śocasy upetya kāruṇyāc chṛṇu ye vai vayaṃ dvija
 16 yāyāvarā nāma vayam ṛṣayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ
     lokāt puṇyād iha bhraṣṭāḥ saṃtānaprakṣayād vibho
 17 pranaṣṭaṃ nas tapaḥ puṇyaṃ na hi nas tantur asti vai
     asti tv eko 'dya nas tantuḥ so 'pi nāsti yathātathā
 18 mandabhāgyo 'lpabhāgyānāṃ bandhuḥ sa khila naḥ kule
     jaratkārur iti khyāto vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ
     niyatātmā mahātmā ca suvrataḥ sumahātapāḥ
 19 tena sma tapaso lobhāt kṛcchram āpāditā vayam
     na tasya bhāryā putro vā bāndhavo vāsti kaś cana
 20 tasmāl lambāmahe garte naṣṭasaṃjñā hy anāthavat
     sa vaktavyas tvayā dṛṣṭvā asmākaṃ nāthavattayā
 21 pitaras te 'valambante garte dīnā adhomukhāḥ
     sādhu dārān kuruṣveti prajāyasveti cābhibho
     kulatantur hi naḥ śiṣṭas tvam evaikas tapodhana
 22 yat tu paśyasi no brahman vīraṇastambam āśritān
     eṣo 'smākaṃ kulastamba āsīt svakulavardhanaḥ
 23 yāni paśyasi vai brahman mūlānīhāsya vīrudhaḥ
     ete nastantavas tāta kālena paribhakṣitāḥ
 24 yat tv etat paśyasi brahman mūlam asyārdhabhakṣitam
     tatra lambāmahe sarve so 'py ekas tapa āsthitaḥ
 25 yam ākhuṃ paśyasi brahman kāla eṣa mahābalaḥ
     sa taṃ tapo rataṃ mandaṃ śanaiḥ kṣapayate tudan
     jaratkāruṃ tapo lubdhaṃ mandātmānam acetasam
 26 na hi nas tat tapas tasya tārayiṣyati sattama
     chinnamūlān paribhraṣṭān kālopahatacetasaḥ
     narakapratiṣṭhān paśyāsmān yathā duṣkṛtinas tathā
 27 asmāsu patiteṣv atra saha pūrvaiḥ pitāmahaiḥ
     chinnaḥ kālena so 'py atra gantā vai narakaṃ tataḥ
 28 tapo vāpy atha vā yajño yac cānyat pāvanaṃ mahat
     tat sarvaṃ na samaṃ tāta saṃtatyeti satāṃ matam
 29 sa tāta dṛṣṭvā brūyās tvaṃ jaratkāruṃ tapasvinam
     yathādṛṣṭam idaṃ cāsmai tvayākhyeyam aśeṣataḥ
 30 yathā dārān prakuryāt saputrāṃś cotpādayed yathā
     tathā brahmaṃs tvayā vācyaḥ so 'smākaṃ nāthavattayā

SECTION XLI

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'Being thus addressed, and hearing that his sire was bearing a dead snake, the powerful Sringin burned with wrath. And looking at Krisa, and speaking softly, he asked him, 'Pray, why doth my father bear today a dead snake?' And Krisa replied, 'Even as king Parikshit was roving, for purpose of hunting, O dear one, he placed the dead snake on the
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shoulder of thy sire.'
"And Sringin asked, 'What wrong was done to that wicked monarch by my father? O Krisa, tell me this, and witness the power of my asceticism.'
"And Krisa answered, 'King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, while hunting, had wounded a fleet stag with an arrow and chased it alone. And the king lost sight of the animal in that extensive wilderness. Seeing then thy sire, he immediately accosted him. Thy sire was then observing the vow of silence. Oppressed by hunger, thirst and labour, the prince again and again asked thy sire sitting motionless, about the missing deer. The sage, being under the vow of silence, returned no reply. The king thereupon placed the snake on thy sire's shoulder with the end of his bow. O Sringin, thy sire engaged in devotion is in the same posture still. And the king also hath gone to his capital which is named after the elephant!'
"Sauti continued, 'Having heard of a dead snake placed upon his (father's) shoulders, the son of the Rishi, his eyes reddened with anger, blazed up with rage. And possessed by anger, the puissant Rishi then cursed the king, touching water and overcome with wrath.'
"And Sringin said, 'That sinful wretch of a monarch who hath placed a dead snake on the shoulders of my lean and old parent, that insulter of Brahmanas and tarnisher of the fame of the Kurus, shall be taken within seven nights hence to the regions of Yama (Death) by the snake Takshaka, the powerful king of serpents, stimulated thereto by the strength of my words!'
"Sauti continued, 'And having thus cursed (the king) from anger, Sringin went to his father, and saw the sage sitting in the cow-pen, bearing the dead snake. And seeing his parent in that plight, he was again inflamed with ire. And he shed tears of grief, and addressed his sire, saying, 'Father, having been informed of this thy disgrace at the hands of that wicked wretch, king Parikshit, I have from anger even cursed him; and that worst of Kurus hath richly deserved my potent curse. Seven days hence, Takshaka, the lord of snakes, shall take the sinful king to the horrible abode of Death.' And the father said to the enraged son, 'Child, I am not pleased with thee. Ascetics should not act thus. We live in the domains of that great king. We are protected by him righteously. In all he does, the reigning king should by the like of us forgiven. If thou destroy Dharma, verily Dharma will destroy thee. If the king do not properly protect us, we fare very ill; we cannot perform our religious rites according to our desire. But protected by righteous sovereigns, we attain immense merit, and they are entitled to a share thereof. Therefore, reigning royalty is by all means to be forgiven. And Parikshit like unto his great-grandsire, protecteth us as a king should protect his subjects. That penance-practising monarch was fatigued and oppressed with hunger. Ignorant of my vow (of silence) he did this. A kingless country always suffereth from evils. The king punisheth offenders, and fear of punishments conducteth to peace; and people do their
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duties and perform their rites undisturbed. The king establisheth religion--establisheth the kingdom of heaven. The king protecteth sacrifices from disturbance, and sacrifices to please the gods. The gods cause rain, and rain produceth grains and herbs, which are always useful to man. Manu sayeth, a ruler of the destinies of men is equal (in dignity) to ten Veda-studying priests. Fatigued and oppressed with hunger, that penance-practising prince hath done this through ignorance of my vow. Why then hast thou rashly done this unrighteous action through childishness? O son, in no way doth the king deserve a curse from us.'"

 

 

Book 1
Chapter 42

 1 [s]
      etac chrutvā jaratkārur duḥkhaśokaparāyaṇaḥ
      uvāca svān pitṝn duḥkhād bāṣpasaṃdigdhayā girā
  2 aham eva jaratkāruḥ kilbiṣī bhavatāṃ sutaḥ
      tad daṇḍaṃ dhārayata me duṣkṛter akṛtātmanaḥ
  3 [pitarah]
      putra diṣṭyāsi saṃprāpta imaṃ deśaṃ yadṛcchayā
      kimarthaṃ ca tvayā brahman na kṛto dārasaṃgrahaḥ
  4 [j]
      mamāyaṃ pitaro nityaṃ hṛdy arthaḥ parivartate
      ūrdhvaretāḥ śarīraṃ vai prāpayeyam amutra vai
  5 evaṃ dṛṣṭvā tu bhavataḥ śakuntān iva lambataḥ
      mayā nivartitā buddhir brahmacaryāt pitāmahāḥ
  6 kariṣye vaḥ priyaṃ kāmaṃ nivekṣye nātra saṃśayaḥ
      sanāmnīṃ yady ahaṃ kanyām upalapsye kadā cana
  7 bhaviṣyati ca yā kā cid bhaikṣavat svayam udyatā
      pratigrahītā tām asmi na bhareyaṃ ca yām aham
  8 evaṃvidham ahaṃ kuryāṃ niveśaṃ prāpnuyāṃ yadi
      anyathā na kariṣye tu satyam etat pitāmahāḥ
  9 [s]
      evam uktvā tu sa pitṝṃś cacāra pṛthivīṃ muniḥ
      na ca sma labhate bhāryāṃ vṛddho 'yam iti śaunaka
  10 yadā nirvedam āpannaḥ pitṛbhiś coditas tathā
     tadāraṇyaṃ sa gatvoccaiś cukrośa bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ
 11 yāni bhūtāni santīha sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca
     antarhitāni vā yāni tāni śṛṇvantu me vacaḥ
 12 ugre tapasi vartantaṃ pitaraś codayanti mām
     niviśasveti duḥkhārtās teṣāṃ priyacikīrṣayā
 13 niveśārthy akhilāṃ bhūmiṃ kanyā bhaikṣaṃ carāmi bhoḥ
     daridro duḥkhaśīlaś ca pitṛbhiḥ saṃniyojitaḥ
 14 yasya kanyāsti bhūtasya ye mayeha prakīrtitāḥ
     te me kanyāṃ prayacchantu carataḥ sarvatodiśam
 15 mama kanyā sanāmnī yā bhaikṣavac codyatā bhavet
     bhareyaṃ caiva yāṃ nāhaṃ tāṃ me kanyāṃ prayacchata
 16 tatas te pannagā ye vai jaratkārau samāhitāḥ
     tām ādāya pravṛttiṃ te vāsukeḥ pratyavedayan
 17 teṣāṃ śrutvā sa nāgendraḥ kanyāṃ tāṃ samalaṃkṛtām
     pragṛhyāraṇyam agamat samīpaṃ tasya pannagaḥ
 18 tatra tāṃ bhaikṣavat kanyāṃ prādāt tasmai mahātmane
     nāgendro vāsukir brahman na sa tāṃ pratyagṛhṇata
 19 asanāmeti vai matvā bharaṇe cāvicārite
     mokṣabhāve sthitaś cāpi dvandvī bhūtaḥ parigrahe
 20 tato nāma sa kanyāyāḥ papraccha bhṛgunaṅgana
     vāsuke bharaṇaṃ cāsyā na kuryām ity uvāca ha

SECTION XLII

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'And Sringin then replied to his father, saying, 'Whether this be an act of rashness, O father, or an improper act that I have done, whether thou likest it or dislikest it, the words spoken by me shall never be in vain. O father, I tell thee (a curse) can never be otherwise. I have never spoken a lie even in jest.'
"And Samika said, 'Dear child, I know that thou art of great prowess, and truthful in speech. Thou hast never spoken falsehood before, so that thy curse shall never be falsified. The son, even when he attaineth to age, should yet be always counselled by the father, so that crowned with good qualities he may acquire great renown. A child as thou art, how much more dost thou stand in need of counsel? Thou art ever engaged in ascetic penances. The wrath of even the illustrious ones possessing the six attributes increaseth greatly. O thou foremost of ordinance-observing persons, seeing that thou art my son and a minor too, and beholding also thy rashness, I see that I must counsel thee. Live thou, O son, inclined to peace and eating fruits and roots of the forest. Kill this thy anger and destroy not the fruit of thy ascetic acts in this way. Wrath surely decreaseth the virtue that ascetics acquire with great pains. And then for those deprived of virtue, the blessed state existeth not. Peacefulness ever giveth success to forgiving ascetics. Therefore, becoming forgiving in thy temper and conquering thy passions, shouldst thou always live. By forgiveness shalt thou obtain worlds that are beyond the reach of Brahman himself. Having adopted peacefulness myself, and with a desire also for doing good as much as lies in my power, I must do something; even must I send to that king, telling him, 'O monarch, thou hast been cursed by my son of tender years and undeveloped intellect, in wrath, at seeing thy act of disrespect towards myself.'
"Sauti continued, 'And that great ascetic, observer of vows, moved by kindness, sent with proper instructions a disciple of his to king Parikshit. And he sent his disciple Gaurmukha of good manners and engaged also
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in ascetic penances, instructing him to first enquire about the welfare of the king and then to communicate the real message. And that disciple soon approached that monarch, the head of the Kuru race. And he entered the king's palace having first sent notice of his arrival through the servant in attendance at the gate.
"And the twice-born Gaurmukha was duly worshipped by the monarch. And after resting for a while, he detailed fully to the king, in the presence of his ministers, the words of Samika, of cruel import, exactly as he had been instructed.'
"And Gaurmukha said, 'O king of kings, there is a Rishi, Samika, by name, of virtuous soul, his passions under control, peaceful, and given up to hard ascetic devotions, living in thy dominions! By thee, O tiger among men, was placed on the shoulders of that Rishi observing at present the vow of silence, a dead snake, with the end of thy bow! He himself forgave thee that act. But his son could not. And by the latter hast thou today been cursed, O king of kings, without the knowledge of his father, to the effect that within seven nights hence, shall (the snake) Takshaka cause thy death. And Samika repeatedly asked his son to save thee, but there is none to falsify his son's curse. And because he hath been unable to pacify his son possessed by anger, therefore have I been sent to thee, O king, for thy good!'
"And that king of the Kuru race, himself engaged in ascetic practices, having heard these cruel words and recollecting his own sinful act, became exceedingly sorry. And the king, learning that foremost of Rishis in the forest had been observing the vow of silence, was doubly afflicted with sorrow and seeing the kindness of the Rishi Samika, and considering his own sinful act towards him, the king became very repentant. And the king looking like a very god, did not grieve so much for hearing of his death as for having done that act to the Rishi.'
"And then the king sent away Gaurmukha, saying, 'Let the worshipful one (Samika) be gracious to me!' And when Gaurmukha had gone away, the king, in great anxiety, without loss of time, consulted his ministers. And having consulted them, the king, himself wise in counsels, caused a mansion to be erected upon one solitary column. It was well-guarded day and night. And for its protection were placed there physicians and medicines, and Brahmanas skilled in mantras all around. And the monarch, protected on all sides, discharged his kingly duties from that place surrounded by his virtuous ministers. And no one could approach that best of kings there. The air even could not go there, being prevented from entering.
"And when the seventh day had arrived, that best of Brahmanas, the learned Kasyapa was coming (towards the king's residence), desirous of treating the king (after the snake-bite). He had heard all that had taken place, viz., that Takshaka, that first of snakes, would send that best of
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monarchs to the presence of Yama (Death). And he thought, I would cure the monarch after he is bit by that first of snakes. By that I may have wealth and may acquire virtue also.' But that prince of snakes, Takshaka, in the form of an old Brahmana, saw Kasyapa approaching on his way, his heart set upon curing the king. And the prince of snakes then spake unto that bull among Munis, Kasyapa, saying, 'Whither dost thou go with such speed? What, besides, is the business upon which thou art intent?'
"And Kasyapa, thus addressed, replied, 'Takshaka, by his poison, will today burn king Parikshit of the Kuru race, that oppressor of all enemies. I go with speed, O amiable one, to cure, without loss of time, the king of immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Pandava race, after he is bit by the same Takshaka like to Agni himself in energy.' And Takshaka answered, 'I am that Takshaka, O Brahmana, who shall burn that lord of the earth. Stop, for thou art unable to cure one bit by me.' And Kasyapa rejoined, 'I am sure that, possessed (that I am) of the power of learning, going thither I shall cure that monarch bit by thee.'"

Book 1
Chapter 43

 1 [s]
      vāsukis tv abravīd vākyaṃ jaratkārum ṛṣiṃ tadā
      sanāmā tava kanyeyaṃ svasā me tapasānvitā
  2 bhariṣyāmi ca te bhāryāṃ pratīcchemāṃ dvijottama
      rakṣaṇaṃ ca kariṣye 'syāḥ sarvaśaktyā tapodhana
  3 pratiśrute tu nāgena bhariṣye bhaginīm iti
      jaratkārus tadā veśma bhujagasya jagāma ha
  4 tatra mantravidāṃ śreṣṭhas tapovṛddho mahāvrataḥ
      jagrāha pāṇiṃ dharmātmā vidhimantrapuraskṛtam
  5 tato vāsagṛhaṃ śubhraṃ pannagendrasya saṃmatam
      jagāma bhāryām ādāya stūyamāno maharṣibhiḥ
  6 śayanaṃ tatra vai kḷptaṃ spardhyāstaraṇa saṃvṛtam
      tatra bhāryā sahāyaḥ sa jaratkārur uvāsa ha
  7 sa tatra samayaṃ cakre bhāryayā saha sattamaḥ
      vipriyaṃ me na kartavyaṃ na ca vācyaṃ kadā cana
  8 tyajeyam apriye hi tvāṃ kṛte vāsaṃ ca te gṛhe
      etad gṛhāṇa vacanaṃ mayā yat samudīritam
  9 tataḥ paramasaṃvignā svasā nāgapates tu sā
      atiduḥkhānvitā vācaṃ tam uvācaivam astv iti
  10 tathaiva sā ca bhartāraṃ duḥkhaśīlam upācarat
     upāyaiḥ śvetakākīyaiḥ priyakāmā yaśasvinī
 11 ṛtukāle tataḥ snātā kadā cid vāsukeḥ svasā
     bhartāraṃ taṃ yathānyāyam upatasthe mahāmunim
 12 tatra tasyāḥ samabhavad garbho jvalanasaṃnibhaḥ
     atīva tapasā yukto vaiśvānarasamadyutiḥ
     śuklapakṣe yathā somo vyavardhata tathaiva saḥ
 13 tataḥ katipayāhasya jaratkārur mahātapāḥ
     utsaṅge 'syāḥ śiraḥ kṛtvā suṣvāpa parikhinnavat
 14 tasmiṃś ca supte viprendre savitāstam iyād girim
     ahnaḥ parikṣaye brahmaṃs tataḥ sācintayat tadā
     vāsuker bhaginī bhītā dharmalopān manasvinī
 15 kiṃ nu me sukṛtaṃ bhūyād bhartur utthāpanaṃ na vā
     duḥkhaśīlo hi dharmātmā kathaṃ nāsyāparādhnuyām
 16 kopo vā dharmaśīlasya dharmalopo 'tha vā punaḥ
     dharmalopo garīyān vai syād atrety akaron manaḥ
 17 utthāpayiṣye yady enaṃ dhruvaṃ kopaṃ kariṣyati
     dharmalopo bhaved asya saṃdhyātikramaṇe dhruvam
 18 iti niścitya manasā jaratkārur bhujaṃgamā
     tam ṛṣiṃ dīptatapasaṃ śayānam analopamam
     uvācedaṃ vacaḥ ślakṣṇaṃ tato madhurabhāṣiṇī
 19 uttiṣṭha tvaṃ mahābhāga sūryo 'stam upagacchati
     saṃdhyām upāssva bhagavann apaḥ spṛṣṭvā yatavrataḥ
 20 prāduṣkṛtāgnihotro 'yaṃ muhūrto ramyadāruṇaḥ
     saṃdhyā pravartate ceyaṃ paścimāyāṃ diśi prabho
 21 evam uktaḥ sa bhagavāñ jaratkārur mahātapāḥ
     bhāryāṃ prasphuramāṇauṣṭha idaṃ vacanam abravīt
 22 avamānaḥ prayukto 'yaṃ tvayā mama bhujaṃgame
     samīpe te na vatsyāmi gamiṣyāmi yathāgatam
 23 na hi tejo 'sti vāmoru mayi supte vibhāvasoḥ
     astaṃ gantuṃ yathākālam iti me hṛdi vartate
 24 na cāpy avamatasyeha vastuṃ roceta kasya cit
     kiṃ punar dharmaśīlasya mama vā madvidhasya vā
 25 evam uktā jaratkārur bhartrā hṛdayakampanam
     abravīd bhaginī tatra vāsukeḥ saṃniveśane
 26 nāvamānāt kṛtavatī tavāhaṃ pratibodhanam
     dharmalopo na te vipra syād ity etat kṛtaṃ mayā
 27 uvāca bhāryām ity ukto jaratkārur mahātapāḥ
     ṛṣiḥ kopasamāviṣṭas tyaktukāmo bhujaṃgamām
 28 na me vāg anṛtaṃ prāha gamiṣye 'haṃ bhujaṃgame
     samayo hy eṣa me pūrvaṃ tvayā saha mithaḥ kṛtaḥ
 29 sukham asmy uṣito bhadre brūyās tvaṃ bhrātaraṃ śubhe
     ito mayi gate bhīru gataḥ sa bhagavān iti
     tvaṃ cāpi mayi niṣkrānte na śokaṃ kartum arhasi
 30 ity uktā sānavadyāṅgī pratyuvāca patiṃ tadā
     jaratkāruṃ jaratkāruś cintāśokaparāyaṇā
 31 bāṣpagadgadayā vācā mukhena pariśuṣyatā
     kṛtāñjalir varārohā paryaśrunayanā tataḥ
     dhairyam ālambya vāmorur hṛdayena pravepatā
 32 na mām arhasi dharmajña parityaktum anāgasam
     dharme sthitāṃ sthito dharme sadā priyahite ratām
 33 pradāne kāraṇaṃ yac ca mama tubhyaṃ dvijottama
     tad alabdhavatīṃ mandāṃ kiṃ māṃ vakṣyati vāsukhiḥ
 34 mātṛśāpābhibhūtānāṃ jñātīnāṃ mama sattama
     apatyam īpṣitaṃ tvattas tac ca tāvan na dṛśyate
 35 tvatto hy apatyalābhena jñātīnāṃ me śivaṃ bhavet
     saṃprayogo bhaven nāyaṃ mama moghas tvayā dvija
 36 jñātīnāṃ hitam icchantī bhagavaṃs tvāṃ prasādaye
     imam avyaktarūpaṃ me garbham ādhāya sattama
     kathaṃ tyaktvā mahātmā san gantum icchasy anāgasam
 37 evam uktas tu sa munir bhāryāṃ vacanam abravīt
     yady uktam anurūpaṃ ca jaratkārus tapodhanaḥ
 38 asty eṣa garbhaḥ subhage tava vaiśvānaropamaḥ
     ṛṣiḥ paramadharmātmā vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ
 39 evam uktvā sa dharmātmā jaratkārur mahān ṛṣiḥ
     ugrāya tapase bhūyo jagāma kṛtaniścayaḥ

SECTION XLIII

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'And Takshaka, after this, answered, 'If, indeed, thou art able to cure any creature bitten by me, then, O Kasyapa, revive thou this tree bit by me. O best of Brahmanas, I burn this banian in thy sight. Try thy best and show me that skill in mantras of which thou hast spoken.'
"And Kasyapa said, If thou art so minded, bite thou then, O king of snakes, this tree. O snake, I shall revive it, though bit by thee.
"Sauti continued, 'That king of snakes, thus addressed by the illustrious Kasyapa, bit then that banian tree. And that tree, bit by the illustrious snake, and penetrated by the poison of the serpent, blazed up all around. And having burnt the banian so, the snake then spake again unto Kasyapa, saying, 'O first of Brahmanas, try thy best and revive this lord of the forest.'
"Sauti continued, 'The tree was reduced to ashes by the poison of that king of snakes. But taking up those ashes, Kasyapa spoke these words. 'O king of snakes, behold the power of my knowledge as applied to this lord of the forest! O snake, under thy very nose I shall revive it.' And then that best of Brahmanas, the illustrious and learned Kasyapa, revived, by his vidya, that tree which had been reduced to a heap of ashes. And first he created the sprout, then he furnished it with two leaves, and then he made the stem, and then the branches, and then the full-grown tree with leaves and all. And Takshaka, seeing the tree revived by the illustrious Kasyapa, said unto him, 'It is not wonderful in thee that thou shouldst destroy my poison or that of any one else like myself. O thou whose wealth is asceticism, desirous of what wealth, goest thou thither? The reward thou
p. 94
hopest to have from that best of monarchs, even I will give thee, however difficult it may be to obtain it. Decked with fame as thou art, thy success may be doubtful on that king affected by a Brahmana's curse and whose span of life itself hath been shortened. In that case, this blazing fame of thine that hath overspread the three worlds will disappear like the Sun when deprived of his splendour (on the occasion of the eclipse).'
"Kasyapa said, 'I go there for wealth, give it unto me, O snake, so that taking thy gold. I may return.' Takshaka replied, 'O best of regenerate ones, even I will give thee more than what thou expectest from that king. Therefore do not go.'
"Sauti continued, 'That best of Brahmanas, Kasyapa, of great prowess and intelligence, hearing those words of Takshaka, sat in yoga meditation over the king. And that foremost of Munis, viz., Kasyapa, of great prowess and gifted with spiritual knowledge, ascertaining that the period of life of that king of the Pandava race had really run out, returned, receiving from Takshaka as much wealth as he desired.
"And upon the illustrious Kasyapa's retracing his steps, Takshaka at the proper time speedily entered the city of Hastinapura. And on his way he heard that the king was living very cautiously, protected by means of poison-neutralising mantras and medicines.'
"Sauti continued, 'The snake thereupon reflected thus, 'The monarch must be deceived by me with power of illusion. But what must be the means?' Then Takshaka sent to the king some snakes in the guise of ascetics taking with them fruits, kusa grass, and water (as presents). And Takshaka, addressing them, said, 'Go ye all to the king, on the pretext of pressing business, without any sign of impatience, as if to make the monarch only accept the fruits and flowers and water (that ye shall carry as presents unto him).'
"Sauti continued, 'Those snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, acted accordingly. And they took to the king, Kusa grass and water, and fruits. And that foremost of kings, of great prowess, accepted those offerings. And after their business was finished, he said upto them, 'Retire.' Then after those snakes disguised as ascetics had gone away, the king addressed his ministers and friends, saying, 'Eat ye, with me, all these fruits of excellent taste brought by the ascetics.' Impelled by Fate and the words of the Rishi, the king, with his ministers, felt the desire of eating those fruits. The particular fruit, within which Takshaka had entered, was taken by the king himself for eating. And when he was eating it, there appeared, O Saunaka, an ugly insect out of it, of shape scarcely discernible, of eyes black, and of coppery colour. And that foremost of kings, taking that insect, addressed his councillors, saying, 'The sun is setting; today I have no more tear from poison. Therefore, let this insect become Takshaka and bite me, so that my sinful act may be expiated and the words of the ascetic rendered true.' And those councillors also, impelled by Fate, approved of that speech.
p. 95
[paragraph continues] And then the monarch smiled, losing his senses, his hour having come. And he quickly placed that insect on his neck. And as the king was smiling, Takshaka, who had (in the form of that insect) come out of the fruit that had been offered to the king, coiled himself round the neck of the monarch. And quickly coiling round the king's neck and uttering a tremendous roar, Takshaka, that lord of snakes, bit that protector of the earth.'"

Book 1
Chapter 44

 1 [s]
      gatamātraṃ tu bhartāraṃ jaratkārur avedayat
      bhrātus tvaritam āgamya yathātathyaṃ tapodhana
  2 tataḥ sa bhujaga śreṣṭhaḥ śrutvā sumahad apriyam
      uvāca bhaginīṃ dīnāṃ tadā dīnataraḥ svayam
  3 jānāmi bhadre yat kāryaṃ pradāne kāraṇaṃ ca yat
      pannagānāṃ hitārthāya putras te syāt tato yadi
  4 sa sarpasatrāt kila no mokṣayiṣyati vīryavān
      evaṃ pitāmahaḥ pūrvam uktavān māṃ suraiḥ saha
  5 apy asti garbhaḥ subhage tasmāt te munisattamāt
      na cecchāmy aphalaṃ tasya dārakarma manīṣiṇaḥ
  6 kāmaṃ ca mama na nyāyyaṃ praṣṭuṃ tvāṃ kāryam īdṛśam
      kiṃ tu kāryagarīyastvāt tatas tvāham acūcudam
  7 durvāsatāṃ viditvā ca bhartus te 'titapasvinaḥ
      nainam anvāgamiṣyāmi kadācid dhi śapet sa mām
  8 ācakṣva bhadre bhartus tvaṃ sarvam eva viceṣṭitam
      śalyam uddhara me ghoraṃ bhadre hṛdi cirasthitam
  9 jaratkārus tato vākyam ity uktā pratyabhāṣata
      āśvāsayantī saṃtaptaṃ vāsukiṃ pannageśvaram
  10 pṛṣṭo mayāpatya hetoḥ sa mahātmā mahātapāḥ
     astīty udaram uddiśya mamedaṃ gatavāṃś ca saḥ
 11 svaireṣv api na tenāhaṃ smarāmi vitathaṃ kva cit
     uktapūrvaṃ kuto rājan sāmparāye sa vakṣyati
 12 na saṃtāpas tvayā kāryaḥ kāryaṃ prati bhujaṃgame
     utpatsyati hi te putro jvalanārkasamadyutiḥ
 13 ity uktvā hi sa māṃ bhrātar gato bhartā tapovanam
     tasmād vyetu paraṃ duḥkhaṃ tavedaṃ manasi sthitam
 14 etac chrutvā sa nāgendro vāsukiḥ parayā mudā
     evam astv iti tad vākyaṃ bhaginyāḥ pratyagṛhṇata
 15 sāntvamānārtha dānaiś ca pūjayā cānurūpayā
     sodaryāṃ pūjayām āsa svasāraṃ pannagottamaḥ
 16 tataḥ sa vavṛdhe garbho mahātejā raviprabhaḥ
     yathā somo dvijaśreṣṭha śuklapakṣodito divi
 17 yathākālaṃ tu sā brahman prajajñe bhujaga svasā
     kumāraṃ devagarbhābhaṃ pitṛmātṛbhayāpaham
 18 vavṛdhe sa ca tatraiva nāgarājaniveśane
     vedāṃś cādhijage sāṅgān bhārgavāc cyavanātmajāt
 19 caritavrato bāla eva buddhisattvaguṇānvitaḥ
     nāma cāsyābhavat khyātaṃ lokeṣv āstīka ity uta
 20 astīty uktvā gato yasmāt pitā garbhastham eva tam
     vanaṃ tasmād idaṃ tasya nāmāstīketi viśrutam
 21 sa bāla eva tatrasthaś carann amitabuddhimān
     gṛhe pannagarājasya prayatnāt paryarakṣyata
 22 bhagavān iva deveśaḥ śūlapāṇir hiraṇyadaḥ
     vivardhamānaḥ sarvāṃs tān pannagān abhyaharṣayat

SECTION XLIV

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'Then the councillors beholding the king in the coils of Takshaka, became pale with fear and wept in exceeding grief. And hearing the roar of Takshaka, the ministers all fled. And as they were flying away in great grief, they saw Takshaka, the king of snakes, that wonderful serpent, coursing through the blue sky like a streak of the hue of the lotus, and looking very much like the vermilion-coloured line on a woman's crown dividing the dark masses of her hair in the middle.
"And the mansion in which the king was living blazed up with Takshaka's poison. And the king's councillors, on beholding it, fled away in all directions. And the king himself fell down, as if struck by lightning.
"And when the king was laid low by Takshaka's poison, his councillors with the royal priest--a holy Brahmana--performed all his last rites. All the citizens, assembling together, made the minor son of the deceased monarch their king. And the people called their new king, that slayer of all enemies, that hero of the Kuru race, by the name of Janamejaya. And that best of monarchs, Janamejaya, though a child, was wise in mind. And with his councillors and priest, the eldest son Parikshita, that bull amongst the Kurus, ruled the kingdom like his heroic great-grand-father (Yudhishthira). And the ministers of the youthful monarch, beholding that he could now keep his enemies in check, went to Suvarnavarman, the king of Kasi, and asked him his daughter Vapushtama for a bride. And the king of Kasi, after due inquiries, bestowed with ordained rites, his daughter Vapushtama on that mighty hero of Kuru race. And the latter, receiving his bride, became exceedingly glad. And he gave not his heart at any time to any other woman. And gifted with great energy, he wandered in pursuit of pleasure, with a cheerful heart, on expanses of water and amid woods and flowery fields. And that first of monarchs passed his time in pleasure as Pururavas of old did, on receiving the celestial damsel Urvasi. Herself fairest of the fair, the damsel Vapushtama too, devoted to her lord and celebrated for her beauty having gained a desirable husband, pleased him by the excess of her affection during the period he spent in the pursuit of pleasure.'"

Book 1
Chapter 45

1 [ṣ]
      yad apṛcchat tadā rājā mantriṇo janamejayaḥ
      pituḥ svargagatiṃ tan me vistareṇa punar vada
  2 [s]
      śṛṇu brahman yathā pṛṣṭā mantriṇo nṛpates tadā
      ākhyātavantas te sarve nidhanaṃ tatparikṣitaḥ
  3 [j]
      jānanti tu bhavantas tad yathāvṛttaḥ pitā mama
      āsīd yathā ca nidhanaṃ gataḥ kāle mahāyaśāḥ
  4 śrutvā bhavat sakāśād dhi pitur vṛttam aśeṣataḥ
      kalyāṇaṃ pratipatsyāmi viparītaṃ na jātucit
  5 [s]
      mantriṇo 'thābruvan vākyaṃ pṛṣṭās tena mahātmanā
      sarvadharmavidaḥ prājñā rājānaṃ janamejayam
  6 dharmātmā ca mahātmā ca prajā pālaḥ pitā tava
      āsīd iha yathāvṛttaḥ sa mahātmā śṛṇuṣva tat
  7 cāturvarṇyaṃ svadharmasthaṃ sa kṛtvā paryarakṣata
      dharmato dharmavid rājā dharmo vigrahavān iva
  8 rarakṣa pṛthivīṃ devīṃ śrīmān atulavikramaḥ
      dveṣṭāras tasya naivāsan sa ca na dveṣṭi kaṃ cana
      samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu prajāpatir ivābhavat
  9 brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrāś caiva svakarmasu
      sthitāḥ sumanaso rājaṃs tena rājñā svanuṣṭhitāḥ
  10 vidhavānātha kṛpaṇān vikalāṃś ca babhāra saḥ
     sudarśaḥ sarvabhūtānām āsīt soma ivāparaḥ
 11 tuṣṭapuṣṭajanaḥ śrīmān satyavāg dṛḍhavikramaḥ
     dhanurvede ca śiṣyo 'bhūn nṛpaḥ śāradvatasya saḥ
 12 govindasya priyaś cāsīt pitā te janamejaya
     lokasya caiva sarvasya priya āsīn mahāyaśāḥ
 13 parikṣīṇeṣu kuruṣu uttarāyām ajāyata
     parikṣid abhavat tena saubhadrasyātmajo balī
 14 rājadharmārthakuśalo yuktaḥ sarvaguṇair nṛpaḥ
     jitendriyaś cātmavāṃś ca medhāvī vṛddhasevitaḥ
 15 ṣaḍ vargavin mahābuddhir nītidharmavid uttamaḥ
     prajā imās tava pitā ṣaṣṭiṃ varṣāṇy apālayat
     tato diṣṭāntam āpannaḥ sarpeṇānativartitam
 16 tatas tvaṃ puruṣaśreṣṭha dharmeṇa pratipedivān
     idaṃ varṣasahasrāya rājyaṃ kuru kulāgatam
     bāla evābhijāto 'si sarvabhūtānupālakaḥ
 17 [j]
     nāsmin kule jātu babhūva rājā; yo na prajānāṃ hitakṛt priyaś ca
     viśeṣataḥ prekṣya pitāmahānāṃ; vṛttaṃ mahad vṛttaparāyaṇānām
 18 kathaṃ nidhanam āpannaḥ pitā mama tathāvidhaḥ
     ācakṣadhvaṃ yathāvan me śrotum icchāmi tattvataḥ
 19 [s]
     evaṃ saṃcoditā rājñā mantriṇas te narādhipam
     ūcuḥ sarve yathāvṛttaṃ rājñaḥ priyahite ratāḥ
 20 babhūva mṛgayā śīlas tava rājan pitā sadā
     yathā pāṇḍur mahābhāgo dhanurdhara varo yudhi
     asmāsv āsajya sarvāṇi rājakāryāṇy aśeṣataḥ
 21 sa kadā cid vanacaro mṛgaṃ vivyādha patriṇā
     viddhvā cānvasarat tūrṇaṃ taṃ mṛgaṃ gahane vane
 22 padātir baddhanistriṃśas tatāyudha kalāpavān
     na cāsasāda gahane mṛgaṃ naṣṭaṃ pitā tava
 23 pariśrānto vayaḥsthaś ca ṣaṣṭivarṣo jarānvitaḥ
     kṣudhitaḥ sa mahāraṇye dadarśa munim antike
 24 sa taṃ papraccha rājendro muniṃ mauna vratānvitam
     na ca kiṃ cid uvācainaṃ sa muniḥ pṛcchato 'pi san
 25 tato rājā kṣuc chramārtas taṃ muniṃ sthāṇuvat sthitam
     mauna vratadharaṃ śāntaṃ sadyo manyuvaśaṃ yayau
 26 na bubodha hi taṃ rājā mauna vratadharaṃ munim
     sa taṃ manyusamāviṣṭo dharṣayām āsa te pitā
 27 mṛtaṃ sarpaṃ dhanuṣkoṭyā samutkṣipya dharātalāt
     tasya śuddhātmanaḥ prādāt skandhe bharatasattama
 28 na covāca sa medhāvī tam atho sādhv asādhu vā
     tasthau tathaiva cākrudhyan sarpaṃ skandhena dhārayan

SECTION XLV

(Astika Parva continued)

"Meanwhile the great ascetic Jaratkaru wandered over the whole earth making the place where evening fell his home for the night. And gifted with ascetic power, he roamed, practising various vows difficult to be practised by the immature, and bathing also in various sacred waters. And the Muni had air alone for his food and was free from desire of worldly enjoyment. And he became daily emaciated and grew lean-fleshed. And one day he saw the spirits of his ancestors, heads down, in a hole, by a cord of virana roots having only one thread entire. And that even single thread was being gradually eaten away by a large rat dwelling in that hole. And the Pitris in that hole were without food, emaciated, pitiable, and eagerly desirous of salvation. And Jaratkaru, approaching the pitiable one, himself in humble guise, asked them, 'Who are ye hanging by this cord of virana roots? The single weak root that is still left in this cord of virana roots already eaten away by the rat, dwelling in this hole, is itself being gradually eaten away by the same rat with his sharp teeth. The little that remains of that single thread will soon be cut away. It is clear ye shall then have to fall down into this pit with faces downwards. Seeing you with faces downwards, and overtaken by this great calamity, my pity hath been excited. What good can I do to you. Tell me quickly whether this calamity can be averted by a fourth, a third, or even by the sacrifice of a half of this my asceticism, O, relieve yourselves even with the whole of my asceticism. I consent to all this. Do ye as ye please.'
"The Pitris said, 'Venerable Brahmacharin, thou desirest to relieve us. But, O foremost of Brahmanas, thou canst not dispel our affliction by thy asceticism. O child, O first of speakers, we too have the fruits of our asceticism. But, O Brahmana, it is for the loss of children that we are falling down into this unholy hell. The grandsire himself hath said that a son is a great merit. As we are about to be cast in this hole, our ideas are no longer clear. Therefore, O child, we know thee not, although thy manhood is well-known on earth. Venerable thou art and of good fortune, thou who thus from kindness grievest for us worthy of pity and greatly afflicted. O Brahmana, listen, who we are. We are Rishis of the Yayavara sect, of rigid vows. And, O Muni, from loss of children, we have fallen down from a sacred region. Our severe penances have not been destroyed; we have a thread yet. But we have only one thread now. It matters little, however, whether he is or is not. Unfortunate as we are, we have a thread in one, known as Jaratkaru. The unfortunate one has gone through the Vedas and their branches and is practising asceticism alone. He being one with soul under complete control, desires set high, observant of vows, deeply engaged in ascetic penances, and free from greed for the merits
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or asceticism, we have been reduced to this deplorable state. He hath no wife, no son, no relatives. Therefore, do we hang in this hole, our consciousness lost, like men having none to take care of them. If thou meetest him, O, tell him, from thy kindness to ourselves, Thy Pitris, in sorrow, are hanging with faces downwards in a hole. Holy one, take a wife and beget children. O thou of ascetic wealth, thou art, O amiable one, the only thread that remaineth in the line of thy ancestors. O Brahmana, the cord of virana roots that thou seest we are hanging by, is the cord representing our multiplied race. And, O Brahmana, these threads of the cord of virana roots that thou seest as eaten away, are ourselves who have been eaten up by Time. This root thou seest hath been half-eaten and by which we are hanging in this hole is he that hath adopted asceticism alone. The rat that thou beholdest is Time of infinite strength. And he (Time) is gradually weakening the wretch Jaratkaru engaged in ascetic penances tempted by the merits thereof, but wanting in prudence and heart. O excellent one, his asceticism cannot save us. Behold, our roots being torn, cast down from higher regions, deprived of consciousness by Time, we are going downwards like sinful wretches. And upon our going down into this hole with all our relatives, eaten up by Time, even he shall sink with us into hell. O child, whether it is asceticism, or sacrifice, or whatever else there be of very holy acts, everything is inferior. These cannot count with a son. O child, having seen all, speak unto that Jaratkaru of ascetic wealth. Thou shouldst tell him in detail everything that thou hast beheld. And, O Brahmana, from thy kindness towards us, thou shouldst tell him all that would induce him to take a wife and beget children. Amongst his friends, or of our own race, who art thou, O excellent one, that thus grievest for us all like a friend? We wish to hear who thou art that stayest here.'"

Book 1
Chapter 46

1 [mantriṇah]
      tataḥ sa rājā rājendra skandhe tasya bhujaṃgamam
      muneḥ kṣut kṣāma āsajya svapuraṃ punar āyayau
  2 ṛṣes tasya tu putro 'bhūd gavi jāto mahāyaśāḥ
      śṛṅgī nāma mahātejās tigmavīryo 'tikopanaḥ
  3 brahmāṇaṃ so 'bhyupāgamya muniḥ pūjāṃ cakāra ha
      anujñāto gatas tatra śṛṅgī śuśrāva taṃ tadā
      sakhyuḥ sakāśāt pitaraṃ pitrā te dharṣitaṃ tathā
  4 mṛtaṃ sarpaṃ samāsaktaṃ pitrā te janamejaya
      vahantaṃ kuruśārdūla skandhenānapakāriṇam
  5 tapasvinam atīvātha taṃ munipravaraṃ nṛpa
      jitendriya viśuddhaṃ ca sthitaṃ karmaṇy athādbhute
  6 tapasā dyotitātmānaṃ sveṣv aṅgeṣu yataṃ tathā
      śubhācāraṃ śubhakathaṃ susthiraṃ tam alolupam
  7 akṣudram anasūyaṃ ca vṛddhaṃ mauna vrate sthitam
      śaraṇyaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ pitrā viprakṛtaṃ tava
  8 śaśāpātha sa tac chrutvā pitaraṃ te ruṣānvitaḥ
      ṛṣeḥ putro mahātejā bālo 'pi sthavirair varaḥ
  9 sa kṣipram udakaṃ spṛṣṭvā roṣād idam uvāca ha
      pitaraṃ te 'bhisaṃdhāya tejasā prajvalann iva
  10 anāgasi gurau yo me mṛtaṃ sarpam avāsṛjat
     taṃ nāgas takṣakaḥ kruddhas tejasā sādayiṣyati
     saptarātrād itaḥ pāpaṃ paśya me tapaso balam
 11 ity uktvā prayayau tatra pitā yatrāsya so 'bhavat
     dṛṣṭvā ca pitaraṃ tasmai śāpaṃ taṃ pratyavedayat
 12 sa cāpi muniśārdūlaḥ preṣayām āsa te pituḥ
     śapto 'si mama putreṇa yatto bhava mahīpate
     takṣakas tvāṃ mahārāja tejasā sādayiṣyati
 13 śrutvā tu tad vaco ghoraṃ pitā te janamejaya
     yatto 'bhavat paritrastas takṣakāt pannagottamāt
 14 tatas tasmiṃs tu divase saptame samupasthite
     rājñaḥ samīpaṃ brahmarṣiḥ kāśyapo gantum aicchata
 15 taṃ dadarśātha nāgendraḥ kāśyapaṃ takṣakas tadā
     tam abravīt pannagendraḥ kāśyapaṃ tvaritaṃ vrajan
     kva bhavāṃs tvarito yāti kiṃ ca kāryaṃ cikīrṣati
 16 [k]
     yatra rājā kuruśreṣṭhaḥ parikṣin nāma vai dvijaḥ
     takṣakeṇa bhujaṃgena dhakṣyate kila tatra vai
 17 gacchāmy ahaṃ taṃ tvaritaḥ sadyaḥ kartum apajvaram
     mayābhipannaṃ taṃ cāpi na sarpo dharṣayiṣyati
 18 [t]
     kimarthaṃ taṃ mayā daṣṭaṃ saṃjīvayitum icchasi
     brūhi kāmam ahaṃ te 'dya dadmi svaṃ veśma gamyatām
 19 [mantriṇah]
     dhanalipsur ahaṃ tatra yāmīty uktaś ca tena saḥ
     tam uvāca mahātmānaṃ mānayañ ślakṣṇayā girā
 20 yāvad dhanaṃ prārthayase tasmād rājñas tato 'dhikam
     gṛhāṇa matta eva tvaṃ saṃnivartasva cānagha
 21 sa evam ukto nāgena kāśyapo dvipadāṃ varaḥ
     labdhvā vittaṃ nivavṛte takṣakād yāvad īpsitam
 22 tasmin pratigate vipre chadmanopetya takṣakaḥ
     taṃ nṛpaṃ nṛpatiśreṣṭha pitaraṃ dhārmikaṃ tava
 23 prāsādasthaṃ yattam api dagdhavān viṣavahninā
     tatas tvaṃ puruṣavyāghra vijayāyābhiṣecitaḥ
 24 etad dṛṣṭaṃ śrutaṃ cāpi yathāvan nṛpasattama
     asmābhir nikhilaṃ sarvaṃ kathitaṃ te sudāruṇam
 25 śrutvā caitaṃ nṛpaśreṣṭha pārthivasya parābhavam
     asya carṣer uttaṅkasya vidhatsva yad anantaram
 26 [j]
     etat tu śrotum icchāmi aṭavyāṃ nirjane vane
     saṃvādaṃ pannagendrasya kāśyapasya ca yat tadā
 27 kena dṛṣṭaṃ śrutaṃ cāpi bhavatāṃ śrotram āgatam
     śrutvā cātha vidhāsyāmi pannagāntakarīṃ matim
 28 [m]
     śṛṇu rājan yathāsmākaṃ yenaitat kathitaṃ purā
     samāgamaṃ dvijendrasya pannagendrasya cādhvani
 29 tasmin vṛkṣe naraḥ kaś cid indhanārthāya pārthiva
     vicinvan pūrvam ārūḍhaḥ śuṣkaśākhaṃ vanaspatim
     abudhyamānau taṃ tatra vṛkṣasthaṃ pannagadvijau
 30 sa tu tenaiva vṛkṣeṇa bhasmībhūto 'bhavat tadā
     dvija prabhāvād rājendra jīvitaḥ savanaspatiḥ
 31 tena gatvā nṛpaśreṣṭha nagare 'smin niveditam
     yathāvṛttaṃ tu tat sarvaṃ takṣakasya dvijasya ca
 32 etat te kathitaṃ rājan yathāvṛttaṃ yathā śrutam
     śrutvā tu nṛpaśārdūla prakuruṣva yathepsitam
 33 [s]
     mantriṇāṃ tu vacaḥ śrutvā sa rājā janamejayaḥ
     paryatapyata duḥkhārtaḥ pratyapiṃṣat kare karam
 34 niḥśvāsam uṣṇam asakṛd dīrghaṃ rājīvalocanaḥ
     mumocāśrūṇi ca tadā netrābhyāṃ pratataṃ nṛpaḥ
     uvāca ca mahīpālo duḥkhaśokasamanvitaḥ
 35 śrutvaitad bhavatāṃ vākyaṃ pitur me svargatiṃ prati
     niściteyaṃ mama matir yā vai tāṃ me nibodhata
 36 anantaram ahaṃ manye takṣakāya durātmane
     pratikartavyam ity eva yena me hiṃsitaḥ pitā
 37 ṛṣer hi śṛṅger vacanaṃ kṛtvā dagdhvā ca pārthivam
     yadi gacched asau pāpo nanu jīvet pitā mama
 38 parihīyeta kiṃ tasya yadi jīvet sa pārthivaḥ
     kāśyapasya prasādena mantriṇāṃ sunayena ca
 39 sa tu vāritavān mohāt kāśyapaṃ dvijasattamam
     saṃjijīvayiṣuṃ prāptaṃ rājānam aparājitam
 40 mahān atikramo hy eṣa takṣakasya durātmanaḥ
     dvijasya yo 'dadad dravyaṃ mā nṛpaṃ jīvayed iti
 41 uttaṅkasya priyaṃ kurvann ātmanaś ca mahat priyam
     bhavatāṃ caiva sarveṣāṃ yāsyāmy apacitiṃ pituḥ

SECTION XLVI

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said. 'Jaratkaru, hearing all this, became excessively dejected. And from sorrow he spoke unto those Pitris in words obstructed by tears.' And Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my fathers and grand-fathers gone before. Therefore, tell me what I must do for your welfare. I am that sinful son of yours, Jaratkaru! Punish me for my sinful deeds, a wretch that I am.'
"The Pitris replied, saying, 'O son, by good luck hast thou arrived at this spot in course of thy rambles. O Brahmana, why hast thou not taken a wife?'
"Jaratkaru said. 'Ye Pitris, this desire hath always existed in my heart that I would, with vital seed drawn up, carry this body to the other world. My mind hath been possessed with the idea that I would not take a wife. But ye grandsires, having seen you hanging like birds, I have diverted
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my mind from the Brahmacharya mode of life. I will truly do what you like. I will certainly marry, if ever I meet with a maiden of my own name. I shall accept her who, bestowing herself of her own accord, will be as aims unto me, and whom I shall not have to maintain. I shall marry if I get such a one; otherwise, I shall not. This is the truth, ye grandsires! And the offspring that will be begot upon her shall be your salvation. And ye Pitris of mine, ye shall live for ever in blessedness and without fear.'
'Sauti continued, 'The Muni, having said so unto the Pitris, wandered over the earth again. And, O Saunaka, being old, he obtained no wife. And he grieved much that he was not successful. But directed (as before) by his ancestors, he continued the search. And going into the forest, he wept loudly in great grief. And having gone into the forest, the wise one, moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, 'I will ask for a bride,' distinctly repeating these words thrice. And he said, 'Whatever creatures are here, mobile and immobile, so whoever there be that are invisible, O, hear my words! My ancestors, afflicted with grief, have directed me that am engaged in the most severe penances, saying, 'Marry thou for (the acquisition of) a son.' 'O ye, being directed by my ancestors, I am roaming in poverty and sorrow, over the wide world for wedding a maiden that I may obtain as alms. Let that creature, amongst those I have addressed, who hath a daughter, bestow on me that am roaming far and near. Such a bride as is of same name with me, to be bestowed on me as alms, and whom, besides, I shall not maintain, O bestow on me!' Then those snakes that had been set upon Jaratkaru track, ascertaining his inclination, gave information to Vasuki. And the king of the snakes, hearing their words, took with him that maiden decked with ornaments, and went into the forest unto that Rishi. And, O Brahmana, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, having gone there, offered that maiden as alms unto that high-souled Rishi. But the Rishi did not at once accept her. And the Rishi, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and seeing that the question of her maintenance also was unsettled, reflected for a few moments, hesitating to accept her. And then, O son of Bhrigu, he asked Vasuki the maiden's name, and also said unto him, 'I shall not maintain her.'"

Book 1
Chapter 47

 1 [s]
      evam uktvā tataḥ śrīmān mantribhiś cānumoditaḥ
      āruroha pratijñāṃ sa sarpasatrāya pārthivaḥ
      brahman bharataśārdūlo rājā pārikṣitas tadā
  2 purohitam athāhūya ṛtvijaṃ vasudhādhipaḥ
      abravīd vākyasaṃpannaḥ saṃpad arthakaraṃ vacaḥ
  3 yo me hiṃsitavāṃs tātaṃ takṣakaḥ sa durātmavān
      pratikuryāṃ yathā tasya tad bhavanto bruvantu me
  4 api tat karma viditaṃ bhavatāṃ yena pannagam
      takṣakaṃ saṃpradīpte 'gnau prāpsye 'haṃ sahabāndhavam
  5 yathā tena pitā mahyaṃ pūrvaṃ dagdho viṣāgninā
      tathāham api taṃ pāpaṃ dagdhum icchāmi pannagam
  6 [rtvijah]
      asti rājan mahat satraṃ tvadarthaṃ devanirmitam
      sarpasatram iti khyātaṃ purāṇe kathyate nṛpa
  7 āhartā tasya satrasya tvan nānyo 'sti narādhipa
      iti paurāṇikāḥ prāhur asmākaṃ cāsti sa kratuḥ
  8 [s]
      evam uktaḥ sa rājarṣir mene sarpaṃ hi takṣakam
      hutāśanamukhaṃ dīptaṃ praviṣṭam iti sattama
  9 tato 'bravīn mantravidas tān rājā brāhmaṇāṃs tadā
      āhariṣyāmi tat satraṃ saṃbhārāḥ saṃbhriyantu me
  10 tatas te ṛtvijas tasya śāstrato dvijasattama
     deśaṃ taṃ māpayām āsur yajñāyatana kāraṇāt
     yathāvaj jñānaviduṣaḥ sarve buddhyā paraṃ gatāḥ
 11 ṛddhyā paramayā yuktam iṣṭaṃ dvijagaṇāyutam
     prabhūtadhanadhānyāḍhyam ṛtvigbhiḥ suniveśitam
 12 nirmāya cāpi vidhivad yajñāyatanam īpsitam
     rājānaṃ dīkṣayām āsuḥ sarpasatrāptaye tadā
 13 idaṃ cāsīt tatra pūrvaṃ sarpasatre bhaviṣyati
     nimittaṃ mahad utpannaṃ yajñavighna karaṃ tadā
 14 yajñasyāyatane tasmin kriyamāṇe vaco 'bravīt
     sthapatir buddhisaṃpanno vāstu vidyā viśāradaḥ
 15 ity abravīt sūtradhāraḥ sūtaḥ paurāṇikas tadā
     yasmin deśe ca kāle ca māpaneyaṃ pravartitā
     brāhmaṇaṃ kāraṇaṃ kṛtvā nāyaṃ saṃsthāsyate kratuḥ
 16 etac chrutvā tu rājā sa prāg dīkṣā kālam abravīt
     kṣattāraṃ neha me kaś cid ajñātaḥ praviśed iti
 17 tataḥ karma pravavṛte sarpasatre vidhānataḥ
     paryakrāmaṃś ca vidhivat sve sve karmaṇi yājakāḥ
 18 paridhāya kṛṣṇa vāsāṃsi dhūmasaṃrakta locanāḥ
     juhuvur mantravac caiva samiddhaṃ jātavedasam
 19 kampayantaś ca sarveṣām uragāṇāṃ manāṃsi te
     sarpān ājuhuvus tatra sarvān agnimukhe tadā
 20 tataḥ sarpāḥ samāpetuḥ pradīpte havyavāhane
     viveṣṭamānāḥ kṛpaṇā āhvayantaḥ parasparam
 21 visphurantaḥ śvasantaś ca veṣṭayantas tathā pare
     pucchaiḥ śirobhiś ca bhṛśaṃ citrabhānuṃ prapedire
 22 śvetāḥ kṛṣṇāś ca nīlāś ca sthavirāḥ śiśavas tathā
     ruvanto bhairavān nādān petur dīpte vibhāvasau
 23 evaṃ śatasahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca
     avaśāni vinaṣṭāni pannagānāṃ dvijottama
 24 indurā iva tatrānye hastihastā ivāpare
     mattā iva ca mātaṅgā mahākāyā mahābalāḥ
 25 uccāvacāś ca bahavo nānāvarṇā viṣolbaṇāḥ
     ghorāś ca parighaprakhyā danda śūkā mahābalāḥ
     prapetur agnāv uragā mātṛvāg daṇḍapīḍitāḥ

SECTION XLVII

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'Then Vasuki spake unto the Rishi Jaratkaru these words, 'O best of Brahmanas, this maiden is of the same name with thee. She is my sister and hath ascetic merit. I will maintain thy wife; accept her. O thou of ascetic wealth, I shall protect her with all my ability. And, O foremost of the great Munis, she hath been reared by me for thee.' And the
p. 99
[paragraph continues] Rishi replied, 'This is agreed between us that I shall not maintain her; and she shall not do aught that I do not like. If she do, I leave her!'
"Sauti continued, 'When the snake had promised, saying, 'I shall maintain my sister,' Jaratkaru then went to the snake's house. Then that first of mantra-knowing Brahmanas, observing rigid vows, that virtuous and veteran ascetic, took her hand presented to him according to shastric rites. And taking his bride with him, adored by the great Rishi, he entered the delightful chamber set apart for him by the king of the snakes. And in that chamber was a bed-stead covered with very valuable coverlets. And Jaratkaru lived there with his wife. And the excellent Rishi made an agreement with his wife, saying, 'Nothing must ever be done or said by thee that is against my liking. And in case of thy doing any such thing, I will leave thee and no longer continue to stay in thy house. Bear in mind these words that have been spoken by me.'
"And then the sister of the king of the snakes in great anxiety and grieving exceedingly, spoke unto him, saying, 'Be it so.' And moved by the desire of doing good to her relatives, that damsel, of unsullied reputation, began to attend upon her lord with the wakefulness of a dog, the timidity of a deer, and knowledge of signs possessed by the crow. And one day, after the menstrual period, the sister of Vasuki, having purified herself by a bath according to custom, approached her lord the great Muni; And thereupon she conceived. And the embryo was like unto a flame of fire, possessed of great energy, and resplendent as fire itself. And it grew like the moon in the bright fortnight.
"And one day, within a short time, Jaratkaru of great fame, placing his head on the lap of his wife, slept, looking like one fatigued. And as he was sleeping, the sun entered his chambers in the Western mountain and was about to set. And, O Brahmana, as the day was fading, she, the excellent sister of Vasuki, became thoughtful, fearing the loss of her husband's virtue. And she thought, 'What should I now do? Shall I wake my husband or not? He is exacting and punctilious in his religious duties. How can I act as not to offend him? The alternatives are his anger and the loss of virtue of a virtuous man. The loss of virtue, I ween, is the greater of the two evils. Again, if I wake him, he will be angry. But if twilight passeth away without his prayers being said, he shall certainly sustain loss of virtue.'
'And having resolved at last, the sweet-speeched Jaratkaru, the sister of Vasuki, spake softly unto that Rishi resplendent with ascetic penances, and lying prostrate like a flame of fire, 'O thou of great good fortune, awake, the sun is setting. O thou of rigid vows, O illustrious one, do your evening prayer after purifying yourself with water and uttering the name of Vishnu. The time for the evening sacrifice hath come. Twilight, O lord, is even now gently covering the western side.'
"The illustrious Jaratkaru of great ascetic merit, thus addressed, spake
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unto his wife these words, his upper lip quivering in anger, 'O amiable one of the Naga race, thou hast insulted me. I shall no longer abide with thee, but shall go where I came from. O thou of beautiful thighs, I believe in my heart that the sun hath no power to set in the usual time, if I am asleep. An insulted person should never live where he hath met with the insult, far less should I, a virtuous person, or those that are like me.' Jaratkaru, the sister of Vasuki, thus addressed by her lord, began to quake with terror, and she spake unto him, saying, 'O Brahmana, I have not waked thee from desire of insult; but I have done it so that thy virtue may not sustain any loss.'
"The Rishi Jaratkaru, great in ascetic merit, possessed with anger and desirous of forsaking his spouse, thus addressed, spake unto his wife, saying, O thou fair one, never have I spoken a falsehood. Therefore, go I shall. This was also settled between ourselves. O amiable one, I have passed the time happily with thee. And, O fair one, tell thy brother, when I am gone, that I have left thee. And upon my going away, it behoveth thee not to grieve for me.'
"Thus addressed Jaratkaru, the fair sister of Vasuki, of faultless features, filled with anxiety and sorrow, having mustered sufficient courage and patience, though her heart was still quaking, then spake unto Rishi Jaratkaru. Her words were obstructed with tears and her face was pale with fear. And the palms of her hands were joined together, and her eyes were bathed in tears. And she said, 'It behoveth thee not to leave me without a fault. Thou treadest over the path of virtue. I too have been in the same path, with heart fixed on the good of my relatives. O best of Brahmanas, the object for which I was bestowed on thee hath not been accomplished yet. Unfortunate that I am, what shall Vasuki say unto me? O excellent one, the offspring desired of by my relatives afflicted by a mother's curse, do not yet appear! The welfare of my relatives dependeth on the acquisition of offspring from thee. And in order that my connection with thee may not be fruitless, O illustrious Brahmana, moved by the desire of doing good to my race do I entreat thee. O excellent one, high-souled thou art; so why shall thou leave me who am faultless? This is what is not just clear to me.'
"Thus addressed, the Muni of great ascetic merit spake unto his wife Jaratkaru these words that were proper and suitable to the occasion. And he said, 'O fortunate one, the being thou hast conceived, even like unto Agni himself is a Rishi of soul highly virtuous, and a master of the Vedas and their branches.'
"Having said so, the great Rishi, Jaratkaru of virtuous soul, went away, his heart firmly fixed on practising again the severest penances.'"

Book 1
Chapter 48

 1 [ṣ]
      sarpasatre tadā rājñaḥ pāṇḍaveyasya dhīmataḥ
      janamejayasya ke tv āsann ṛtvijaḥ paramarṣayaḥ
  2 ke sadasyā babhūvuś ca sarpasatre sudāruṇe
      viṣādajanane 'tyarthaṃ pannagānāṃ mahābhaye
  3 sarvaṃ vistaratas tāta bhavāñ śaṃsitum arhati
      sarpasatra vidhānajñā vijñeyās te hi sūtaja
  4 [sūta]
      hanta te kathayiṣyāmi nāmānīha manīṣiṇām
      ye ṛtvijaḥ sadasyāś ca tasyāsan nṛpates tadā
  5 tatra hotā babhūvātha brāhmaṇaś caṇḍabhārgavaḥ
      cyavanasyānvaye jātaḥ khyāto vedavidāṃ varaḥ
  6 udgātā brāhmaṇo vṛddho vidvān kautsārya jaiminiḥ
      brahmābhavac chārṅga ravo adhvaryur bodha piṅgalaḥ
  7 sadasyaś cābhavad vyāsaḥ putra śiṣyasahāyavān
      uddālakaḥ śamaṭhakaḥ śvetaketuś ca pañcamaḥ
  8 asito devalaś caiva nāradaḥ parvatas tathā
      ātreyaḥ kuṇḍa jaṭharo dvijaḥ kuṭi ghaṭas tathā
  9 vātsyaḥ śrutaśravā vṛddhas tapaḥsvādhyāyaśīlavān
      kahoḍo deva śarmā ca maudgalyaḥ śama saubharaḥ
  10 ete cānye ca bahavo brāhmaṇāḥ saṃśitavratāḥ
     sadasyā abhavaṃs tatra satre pārikṣitasya ha
 11 juhvatsv ṛtvikṣv atha tadā sarpasatre mahākratau
     ahayaḥ prāpataṃs tatra ghorāḥ prāṇibhayāvahāḥ
 12 vasā medo vahāḥ kulyā nāgānāṃ saṃpravartitāḥ
     vavau gandhaś ca tumulo dahyatām aniśaṃ tadā
 13 patatāṃ caiva nāgānāṃ dhiṣṭhitānāṃ tathāmbare
     aśrūyatāniśaṃ śabdaḥ pacyatāṃ cāgninā bhṛśam
 14 takṣakas tu sa nāgendraḥ puraṃdara niveśanam
     gataḥ śrutvaiva rājānaṃ dīkṣitaṃ janamejayam
 15 tataḥ sarvaṃ yathāvṛttam ākhyāya bhujagottamaḥ
     agacchac charaṇaṃ bhīta āgaḥ kṛtvā puraṃdaram
 16 tam indraḥ prāha suprīto na tavāstīha takṣaka
     bhayaṃ nāgendra tasmād vai sarpasatrāt kathaṃ cana
 17 prasādito mayā pūrvaṃ tavārthāya pitāmahaḥ
     tasmāt tava bhayaṃ nāsti vyetu te mānaso jvaraḥ
 18 evam āśvāsitas tena tataḥ sa bhujagottamaḥ
     uvāsa bhavane tatra śakrasya muditaḥ sukhī
 19 ajasraṃ nipatatsv agnau nāgeṣu bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ
     alpaśeṣa parīvāro vāsukiḥ paryatapyata
 20 kaśmalaṃ cāviśad ghoraṃ vāsukiṃ pannageśvaram
     sa ghūrṇamāna hṛdayo bhaginīm idam abravīt
 21 dahyante 'ṅgāni me bhadre diśo na pratibhānti ca
     sīdāmīva ca saṃmohād ghūrṇatīva ca me manaḥ
 22 dṛṣṭir bhramati me 'tīva hṛdayaṃ dīryatīva ca
     patiṣyāmy avaśo 'dyāhaṃ tasmin dīpte vibhāvasau
 23 pārikṣitasya yajño 'sau vartate 'smaj jighāṃsayā
     vyaktaṃ mayāpi gantavyaṃ pitṛrāja niveśanam
 24 ayaṃ sa kālaḥ saṃprāpto yadartham asi me svasaḥ
     jaratkāroḥ purā dattā sā trāhy asmān sabāndhavān
 25 āstīkaḥ kila yajñaṃ taṃ vartantaṃ bhujagottame
     pratiṣetsyati māṃ pūrvaṃ svayam āha pitāmahaḥ
 26 tad vatse brūhi vatsaṃ svaṃ kumāraṃ vṛddhasaṃmatam
     mamādya tvaṃ sabhṛtyasya mokṣārthaṃ veda vittamam

SECTION XLVIII

(Astika Parva continued)

"Sauti said, 'O thou of ascetic wealth, soon after her lord had left her, Jaratkaru went to her brother. And she told him everything that had happened. And the prince of snakes, hearing the calamitous news, spake unto his miserable sister, himself more miserable still.'
"And he said, 'Thou knowest, 'O amiable one, the purpose of thy bestowal, the reason thereof. If, from that union, for the welfare of the snakes, a son be born, then he, possessed of energy, will save us all from the snake-sacrifice. The Grandsire had said so, of old, in the midst of the gods. O fortunate one, hast thou conceived from thy union with that best of Rishis? My heart's desire is that my bestowal of thee on that wise one may not be fruitless. Truly, it is not proper for me to ask thee about this. But from the gravity of the interests I ask thee this. Knowing also the obstinacy of thy lord, ever engaged in severe penances, I shall not follow him, for he may curse me. Tell me in detail all that thy lord, O amiable one, hath done, and extract that terribly afflicting dart that lies implanted for a long time past in my heart.'
"Jaratkaru, thus addressed, consoling Vasuki, the king of the snakes, at length replied, saying, 'Asked by me about offspring, the high-souled and mighty ascetic said, 'There is,'--and then he went away. I do not remember him to have ever before speak even in jest aught that is false. Why should he, O king, speak a falsehood on such a serious occasion? He said, 'Thou shouldst not grieve, O daughter of the snake race, about the intended result of our union. A son shall be born to thee, resplendent as the blazing sun.' O brother, having said this to me, my husband of ascetic wealth went away--Therefore, let the deep sorrow cherished in thy heart disappear.'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, accepted those words of his sister, and in great joy said, 'Be it so!' And the chief of the snakes then adored his sister with his best regards, gift of wealth, and fitting eulogies. Then, O best of Brahmanas, the embryo endued with great splendour, began to develop, like the moon in the heavens in the bright fortnight.
And in due time, the sister of the snakes, O Brahmana, gave birth to a son of the splendour of a celestial child, who became the reliever of the fears of his ancestors and maternal relatives. The child grew up there in the house of the king of the snakes. He studied the Vedas and their branches with the ascetic Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu. And though but a boy, his vows were rigid. And he was gifted with great intelligence, and with the several attributes of virtue, knowledge, freedom from the world's indulgences, and saintliness. And the name by which he was known to the
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world was Astika. And he was known by the name of Astika (whoever is) because his father had gone to the woods, saying. 'There is', when he was in the womb. Though but a boy, he had great gravity and intelligence. And he was reared with great care in the palace of the snakes. And he was like the illustrious lord of the celestials, Mahadeva of the golden form, the wielder of the trident. And he grew up day by day, the delight of all the snakes.'"

Book 1
Chapter 49

 1 [s]
      tata āhūya putraṃ svaṃ jaratkārur bhujaṃgamā
      vāsuker nāgarājasya vacanād idam abravīt
  2 ahaṃ tava pituḥ putrabhrātrā dattā nimittataḥ
      kālaḥ sa cāyaṃ saṃprāptas tat kuruṣva yathātatham
  3 [āstīka]
      kiṃnimittaṃ mama pitur dattā tvaṃ mātulena me
      tan mamācakṣva tattvena śrutvā kartāsmi tat tathā
  4 [s]
      tata ācaṣṭa sā tasmai bāndhavānāṃ hitaiṣiṇī
      bhaginī nāgarājasya jaratkārur aviklavā
  5 bhujagānām aśeṣāṇāṃ mātā kadrūr iti śrutiḥ
      tayā śaptā ruṣitayā sutā yasmān nibodha tat
  6 ucchaiḥ śravāḥ so 'śvarājo yan mithyā na kṛto mama
      vinatā nimittaṃ paṇite dāsabhāvāya putrakāḥ
  7 janamejayasya vo yajñe dhakṣyaty anilasārathiḥ
      tatra pañcatvam āpannāḥ pretalokaṃ gamiṣyatha
  8 tāṃ ca śaptavatīm evaṃ sākṣāl lokapitāmahaḥ
      evam astv iti tad vākyaṃ provācānumumoda ca
  9 vāsukiś cāpi tac chrutvā pitāmahavacas tadā
      amṛte mathite tāta devāñ śaraṇam īyivān
  10 siddhārthāś ca surāḥ sarve prāpyāmṛtam anuttamam
     bhrātaraṃ me puraskṛtya prajāpatim upāgaman
 11 te taṃ prasādayām āsur devāḥ sarve pitāmaham
     rājñā vāsukinā sārdhaṃ sa śāpo na bhaved iti
 12 vāsukir nāgarājo 'yaṃ duḥkhito jñātikāraṇāt
     abhiśāpaḥ sa mātrāsya bhagavan na bhaved iti
 13 [br]
     jaratkārur jaratkāruṃ yāṃ bhāryāṃ samavāpsyati
     tatra jāto dvijaḥ śāpād bhujagān mokṣayiṣyati
 14 [j]
     etac chrutvā tu vacanaṃ vāsukiḥ pannageśvaraḥ
     prādān mām amaraprakhya tava pitre mahātmane
     prāg evānāgate kāle tatra tvaṃ mayy ajāyathāḥ
 15 ayaṃ sa kālaḥ saṃprāpto bhayān nas trātum arhasi
     bhrātaraṃ caiva me tasmāt trātum arhasi pāvakāt
 16 amoghaṃ naḥ kṛtaṃ tat syād yad ahaṃ tava dhīmate
     pitre dattā vimokṣārthaṃ kathaṃ vā putra manyase
 17 [s]
     evam uktas tathety uktvā sa āstīko mātaraṃ tadā
     abravīd duḥkhasaṃtaptaṃ vāsukiṃ jīvayann iva
 18 ahaṃ tvāṃ mokṣayiṣyāmi vāsuke pannagottama
     tasmāc chāpān mahāsattvasatyam etad bravīmi te
 19 bhava svasthamanā nāga na hi te vidyate bhayam
     prayatiṣye tathā saumya yathā śreyo bhaviṣyati
     na me vāg anṛtaṃ prāha svaireṣv api kuto 'nyathā
 20 taṃ vai nṛpa varaṃ gatvā dīkṣitaṃ janamejayam
     vāgbhir maṅgalayuktābhis toṣayiṣye 'dya mātula
     yathā sa yajño nṛpater nirvartiṣyati sattama
 21 sa saṃbhāvaya nāgendra mayi sarvaṃ mahāmate
     na te mayi mano jātu mithyā bhavitum arhati
 22 [v]
     āstīka parighūrṇāmi hṛdayaṃ me vidīryate
     diśaś ca na prajānāmi brahmadaṇḍanipīḍitaḥ
 23 [ā]
     na saṃtāpas tvayā kāryaḥ kathaṃ cit pannagottama
     dīptadāgneḥ samutpannaṃ nāśayiṣyāmi te bhayam
 24 brahmadaṇḍaṃ mahāghoraṃ kālāgnisamatejasam
     nāśayiṣyāmi mātratvaṃ bhayaṃ kārṣīḥ kathaṃ cana
 25 [s]
     tataḥ sa vāsuker ghoram apanīya mano jvaram
     ādhāya cātmano 'ṅgeṣu jagāma tvarito bhṛśam
 26 janamejayasya taṃ yajñaṃ sarvaiḥ samuditaṃ guṇaiḥ
     mokṣāya bhujagendrāṇām āstīko dvijasattamaḥ
 27 sa gatvāpaśyad āstīko yajñāyatanam uttamam
     vṛtaṃ sadasyair bahubhiḥ sūryavahni samaprabhaiḥ
 28 sa tatra vārito dvāḥsthaiḥ praviśan dvijasattamaḥ
     abhituṣṭāva taṃ yajñaṃ praveśārthī dvijottamaḥ

SECTION XLIX

(Astika Parva continued)

"Saunaka said, 'Tell me again, in detail,--all that king Janamejaya had asked his ministers 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 asked, 'Know ye all that befell my father. How did that famous king, in time, meet with his death? Hearing from you the incidents of my father's life in detail, I shall ordain something, if it be for the benefit of the world. Otherwise, I shall do nothing.'
'The minister replied, 'Hear, O monarch, what thou hast asked, viz., an account of thy illustrious father's life, and how also that king of kings left this world. Thy father was virtuous and high-souled, and always protected his people. O, hear, how that high-souled one conducted himself on earth. Like unto an impersonation of virtue and justice, the monarch, cognisant of virtue, virtuously protected the four orders, each engaged in the discharge of their specified duties. Of incomparable prowess, and blessed with fortune, he protected the goddess Earth. There was none who hated him and he himself hated none. Like unto Prajapati (Brahma) he was equally disposed towards all creatures. O monarch, Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, all engaged contentedly in the practice of their respective duties, were impartially protected by that king. Widows and orphans, the maimed and the poor, he maintained. Of handsome features, he was unto all creatures like a second Soma. Cherishing his subjects and keeping them contented, blessed with good fortune, truth-telling, of immense prowess, he was the disciple of Saradwat in the science of arms. And, O Janamejaya, thy father was dear unto Govinda. Of great fame, he was loved by all men. And he was born in the womb of Uttara when the Kuru race was almost extinct. And, therefore, the mighty son of Abhimanyu came to be called Parikshit (born in an extinct line). Well-versed in the interpretation of treatises on the duties of kings, he was gifted with every virtue. With passions under complete control, intelligent, possessing a retentive memory, the practiser of all virtues, the conqueror of his six passions of powerful mind, surpassing all, and fully
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acquainted with the science of morality and political science, the father had ruled over these subjects for sixty years. And he then died, mourned by all his subjects. And, after him, O first of men, thou hast acquired this hereditary kingdom of the Kurus for the last thousand years. Thou wast installed while a child, and art thus protecting every creature.'
"Janamejaya said, 'There hath not been born in our race a king who hath not sought the good of his subjects or been loved by them. Behold especially the conduct of my grandsires ever engaged in great achievements. How did my father, blessed with many virtues, meet with his death? Describe everything to me as it happened. I am desirous of hearing it from you!'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus directed by the monarch, those councillors, ever solicitous of the good of the king, told him everything exactly as it had occurred.'
'And the councillors said, 'O king, that father of thine, that protector of the whole earth, that foremost of all persons obedient to the scriptures, became addicted to the sports of the field, even as Pandu of mighty arms, that foremost of all bearers of the bow in battle. He made over to us all the affairs of state from the most trivial to the most important. One day, going into the forest, he pierced a deer with an arrow. And having pierced it he followed it quickly on foot into the deep woods, armed with sword and quiver. He could not, however, come upon the lost deer. Sixty years of age and decrepit, he was soon fatigued and became hungry. He then saw in the deep woods a high-souled Rishi. The Rishi was then observing the vow of silence. The king asked him about the deer, but, though asked, he made no reply. At last the king, already tired with exertion and hunger, suddenly became angry with that Rishi sitting motionless like a piece of wood in observance of his vow of silence. Indeed, the king knew not that he was a Muni observing the vow of silence. Swayed by anger, thy father insulted him. O excellent one of the Bharata race, the king, thy father taking up from the ground with the end of his bow a dead snake placed it on the shoulders of that Muni of pure soul. But the Muni spake not a word good or bad and was without anger. He continued in the same posture, bearing the dead snake.'"

Book 1
Chapter 50

 1 [ā]
      somasya yajño varuṇasya yajñaḥ; prajāpater yajña āsīt prayāge
      tathā yajño 'yaṃ tava bhāratāgrya; pārikṣita svasti no 'stu priyebhyaḥ
  2 śakrasya yajñaḥ śatasaṃkhya uktas; tathāparas tulyasaṃkhyaḥ śataṃ vai
      tathā yajño 'yaṃ tava bhāratāgrya; pārikṣita svasti no 'stu priyebhyaḥ
  3 yamasya yajño hari medhasaś ca; yathā yajño ranti devasya rājñaḥ
      tathā yajño 'yaṃ tava bhāratāgrya; pārikṣita svasti no 'stu priyebhyaḥ
  4 gayasya yajñaḥ śaśabindoś ca rājño; yajñas tathā vaiśravaṇasya rājñaḥ
      tathā yajño 'yaṃ tava bhāratāgrya; pārikṣita svasti no 'stu priyebhyaḥ
  5 nṛgasya yajñas tv ajamīḍhasya cāsīd; yathā yajño dāśaratheś ca rājñaḥ
      tathā yajño 'yaṃ tava bhāratāgrya; pārikṣita svasti no 'stu priyebhyaḥ
  6 yajñaḥ śruto no divi deva sūnor; yudhiṣṭhirasyājamīḍhasya rājñaḥ
      tathā yajño 'yaṃ tava bhāratāgrya; pārikṣita svasti no 'stu priyebhyaḥ
  7 kṛṣṇasya yajñaḥ satyavatyāḥ sutasya; svayaṃ ca karma pracakāra yatra
      tathā yajño 'yaṃ tava bhāratāgrya; pārikṣita svasti no 'stu priyebhyaḥ
  8 ime hi te sūryahutāśavarcasaḥ; samāsate vṛtrahaṇaḥ kratuṃ yathā
      naiṣāṃ jñānaṃ vidyate jñātum adya; dattaṃ yebhyo na praṇaśyet kathaṃ cit
  9 ṛtvik samo nāsti lokeṣu caiva; dvaipāyaneneti viniścitaṃ me
      etasya śiṣyā hi kṣitiṃ caranti; sarvarvijaḥ karmasu sveṣu dakṣāḥ
  10 vibhāvasuś citrabhānur mahātmā; hiraṇyaretā viśvabhuk kṛṣṇa vartmā
     pradakṣiṇāvartaśikhaḥ pradīpto; havyaṃ tavedaṃ hutabhug vaṣṭi devaḥ
 11 neha tvadanyo vidyate jīvaloke; samo nṛpaḥ pālayitā prajānām
     dhṛtyā ca te prītamanāḥ sadāhaṃ; tvaṃ vā rājā dharmarājo yamo vā
 12 śakraḥ sākṣād vajrapāṇir yatheha; trātā loke 'smiṃs tvaṃ tatheha prajānām
     matas tvaṃ naḥ puruṣendreha loke; na ca tvadanyo gṛhapatir asti yajñe
 13 khaṭvāṅganābhāga dilīpa kalpo; yayāti māndhātṛsamaprabhāvaḥ
     ādityatejaḥ pratimānatejā; bhīṣmo yathā bhrājasi suvratas tvam
 14 vālmīkivat te nibhṛtaṃ sudhairyaṃ; vasiṣṭhavat te niyataś ca kopaḥ
     prabhutvam indreṇa samaṃ mataṃ me; dyutiś ca nārāyaṇavad vibhāti
 15 yamo yathā dharmaviniścayajñaḥ; kṛṣṇo yathā sarvaguṇopapannaḥ
     śriyāṃ nivāso 'si yathā vasūnāṃ; nidhāna bhūto 'si tathā kratūnām
 16 dambhodbhavenāsi samo balena; rāmo yathā śastravid astravic ca
     aurva tritābhyām asi tulyatejā; duṣprekṣaṇīyo 'si bhagīratho vā
 17 [s]
     evaṃ stutāḥ sarva eva prasannā; rājā sadasyā ṛtvijo havyavāhaḥ
     teṣāṃ dṛṣṭvā bhāvitānīṅgitāni; provāca rājā janamejayo 'tha

SECTION L

(Astika Parva continued)

'Sauti continued, 'The ministers said, 'That king of kings then, spent with hunger and exertion, and having placed the snake upon the shoulders of that Muni, came back to his capital. The Muni had a son, born of a cow, of the name of Sringin. He was widely known, possessed of great prowess and energy, and very wrathful. Going (every day) to his
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preceptor he was in the habit of worshipping him. Commanded by him, Sringin was returning home, when he heard from a friend of his about the insult of his father by thy parent. And, O tiger among kings, he heard that his father, without having committed any fault, was bearing, motionless like a statue, upon his shoulders a dead snake placed thereon. O king, the Rishi insulted by thy father was severe in ascetic penances, the foremost of Munis, the controller of passions, pure, and ever engaged in wonderful acts. His soul was enlightened with ascetic penances, and his organs and their functions were under complete control. His practices and his speech were both very nice. He was contented and without avarice. He was without meanness of any kind and without envy. He was old and used to observe the vow of silence. And he was the refuge whom all creatures might seek in distress.
"Such was the Rishi insulted by thy father. The son, however, of that Rishi, in wrath, cursed thy father. Though young in years, the powerful one was old in ascetic splendour. Speedily touching water, he spake, burning as it were with spiritual energy and rage, these words in allusion to thy father, 'Behold the power of my asceticism! Directed by my words, the snake Takshaka of powerful energy and virulent poison, shall, within seven nights hence, burn, with his poison the wretch that hath placed the dead snake upon my un-offending father.' And having said this, he went to where his father was. And seeing his father he told him of his curse. The tiger among Rishis thereupon sent to thy father a disciple of his, named Gaurmukha, of amiable manners and possessed of every virtue. And having rested a while (after arrival at court) he told the king everything, saying in the words of his master, 'Thou hast been cursed, O king, by my son. Takshaka shall burn thee with his poison! Therefore, O king, be careful.' O Janamejaya, hearing those terrible words, thy father took every precaution against the powerful snake Takshaka.
"And when the seventh day had arrived, a Brahmana Rishi, named Kasyapa, desired to come to the monarch. But the snake Takshaka saw Kasyapa. And the prince of snakes spake unto Kasyapa without loss of time, saying, 'Where dost thou go so quickly, and what is the business on which thou goest?' Kasyapa replied, saying, 'O Brahmana, I am going whither king Parikshit, that best of the Kurus, is. He shall today be burnt by the poison of the snake Takshaka. I go there quickly in order to cure him, in fact, in order that, protected by me, the snake may not bite him to death.' Takshaka answered, saying, 'Why dost thou seek to revive the king to be bitten by me? I am that Takshaka. O Brahmana, behold the wonderful power of my poison. Thou art incapable of reviving that monarch when bit by me.' So saying, Takshaka, then and there, bit a lord of the forest (a banian tree). And the banian, as soon as it was bit by the snake, was converted into ashes. But Kasyapa, O king, revived it. Takshaka thereupon tempted him, saying, 'Tell me thy desire.' And Kasyapa, too, thus
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addressed, spake again unto Takshaka, saying, 'I go there from desire of wealth.' And Takshaka, thus addressed, then spake unto the high-souled Kasyapa in these soft words, 'O sinless one, take from me more wealth than what thou expectest from that monarch, and go back!' And Kasyapa, that foremost of men, thus addressed by the snake, and receiving from him as much wealth as he desired, wended his way back.
"And Kasyapa going back, Takshaka, approaching in disguise, blasted, with the fire of his poison, thy virtuous father, the first of kings, then staying in his mansion with all precautions. And after that, thou wast, O tiger among men, been installed (on the throne). And, O best of monarchs, we have thus told thee all that we have seen and heard, cruel though the account is. And hearing all about the discomfiture of thy royal father, and of the insult to the Rishi Utanka, decide thou that which should follow!
'Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, that chastiser of enemies, then spake upto all his ministers. And he said, 'When did ye learn all that happened upon that, banian reduced to ashes by Takshaka, and which, wonderful as it is, was afterwards revived by Kasyapa? Assuredly, my father could not have died, for the poison could have been neutralised by Kasyapa with his mantras. That worst of snakes, of sinful soul, thought within his mind that if Kasyapa resuscitated the king bit by him, he, Takshaka, would be an object of ridicule in the world owing to the neutralisation of his poison. Assuredly, having thought so, he pacified the Brahmana. I have devised a way, however, of inflicting punishment upon him. I like to know, however, what ye saw or heard, what happened in the deep solitude of the forest,--viz., the words of Takshaka and the speeches of Kasyapa. Having known it, I shall devise the means of exterminating the snake race.'
"The ministers said, 'Hear, O monarch of him who told us before of the meeting between that foremost Brahmana and that prince of snakes in the woods. A certain person, O monarch, had climbed up that tree containing some dry branches with the object of breaking them for sacrificial fuel. He was not perceived either by the snake or by the Brahmana. And, O king, that man was reduced to ashes along with the tree itself. And, O king of kings, he was revived with the tree by the power of the Brahmana. That man, a Brahmana's menial, having come to us, represented fully everything as it happened between Takshaka and the Brahmana. Thus have we told thee, O king, all that we have seen and heard. And having heard it, O tiger among kings, ordain that which should follow.'
"Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, having listened to the words of his ministers, was sorely afflicted with grief, and began to weep. And the monarch began to squeeze his hands. And the lotus-eyed king began to breathe a long and hot breath, shed tears, and shrieked aloud. And possessed with grief and sorrow, and shedding copious tears, and touching water according to the form, the monarch spake. And reflecting for a moment, as if settling something in his mind, the angry monarch, addressing all
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ministers, said these words.
'I have heard your account of my father's ascension to heaven. Know ye now what my fixed resolve is. I think no time must be lost in avenging this injury upon the wretch Takshaka that killed my father. He burnt my father making Sringin only a secondary cause. From malignity alone he made Kasyapa return. If that Brahmana had arrived, my father assuredly would have lived. What would he have lost if the king had revived by the grace of Kasyapa and the precautionary measures of his ministers? From ignorance of the effects of my wrath, he prevented Kasyapa--that excellent of Brahmanas--whom he could not defeat, from coming to my father with the desire of reviving him. The act of aggression is great on the part of the wretch Takshaka who gave wealth unto that Brahmana in order that he might not revive the king. I must now avenge myself on my father's enemy to please myself, the Rishi Utanka and you all.'"




(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguli ji for the
collection)