SECTION XXXIII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Santi said, 'And that bird, assuming a golden body bright as the rays ofthe Sun, entered with great force (the region where the Soma was), like atorrent entering the ocean. And he saw, placed near the Soma, a wheel ofsteel keen-edged, and sharp as the razor, revolving incessantly. And thatfierce instrument, of the splendour of the blazing sun and of terribleform, had been devised by the gods for cutting in pieces all robbers ofthe Soma. Garuda, seeing a passage through it, stopped there for amoment. Diminishing his body, in an instant he passed through the spokesof that wheel. Within the line of the wheel, he beheld, stationed therefor guarding the Soma two great snakes of the effulgence of blazing fire,with tongues bright as the lightning-flash, of great energy, with mouthemitting fire, with blazing eyes, containing poison, very terrible,always in anger, and of great activity. Their eyes were ceaselesslyinflamed with rage and were also winkless. He who may be seen by even oneof the two would instantly be reduced to ashes. The bird of fair featherssuddenly covered their eyes with dust. And unseen by them he attackedthem from all sides. And the son of Vinata, that ranger of the skies,attacking their bodies, mangled them into pieces. He then approached theSoma without loss of time. Then the mighty son of Vinata, taking up theAmrita from the place where it was kept, rose on his wings with greatspeed, breaking into pieces the machine that had surrounded it. And thebird soon came out, taking the Amrita but without drinking it himself.And he then wended on his way without the least fatigue, darkening thesplendour of the Sun.
"And the son of Vinata then met Vishnu on his way along the sky. AndNarayana was gratified at that act of self-denial on the part of Garuda.And that deity, knowing no deterioration, said unto the ranger of theskies, 'O, I am inclined to grant thee a boon.' The ranger of the skiesthereupon said, 'I shall stay above thee.' And he again spake untoNarayana 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 theea boon; therefore, let the possessor of the six attributes ask of me.'Vishnu then asked the mighty Garuda to become his carrier. And he madethe bird sit on the flagstaff of his car, saying, 'Even thus thou shaltstay above me.' And the ranger of the skies, of great speed, saying untoNarayana, 'Be it so,' swiftly wended on his way, mocking the wind withhis fleetness.
"And while that foremost of all rangers of the skies, that first ofwinged creatures, Garuda, was coursing through the air after wresting theAmrita, Indra hurled at him his thunderbolt. Then Garuda, the lord ofbirds, struck with thunderbolt, spake laughingly unto Indra engaged inthe encounter, in sweet words, saying, 'I shall respect the Rishi(Dadhichi) of whose bone the Vajra hath been made. I shall also respectthe Vajra, and thee also of a thousand sacrifices. I cast this feather ofmine whose end thou shalt not attain. Struck with thy thunder I have notfelt the slightest pain.' And having said this, the king of birds cast afeather of his. And all creatures became exceedingly glad, beholding thatexcellent feather of Garuda so cast off. And seeing that the feather wasvery beautiful, they said, 'Let this bird be called Suparna (having fairfeathers). And Purandara of a thousand eyes, witnessing this wonderfulincident, thought that bird to be some great being and addressed himthus.'
"And Indra said, 'O best of birds, I desire to know the limit of thygreat strength. I also desire eternal friendship with thee.'"
So ends the thirty-third section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XXXIV
(Astika Parva continued)
'Sauti continued, 'Garuda then said, 'O Purandara, let there befriendship between thee and me as thou desirest. My strength, know thou,is hard to bear. O thou of a thousand sacrifices, the good never approveof speaking highly of their own strength, nor do they speak of their ownmerits. But being made a friend, and asked by thee, O friend, I willanswer thee, although self-praise without reason is ever improper. I canbear, on a single feather of mine, O Sakra, this Earth, with hermountains and forests and with the waters of the ocean, and with theealso stationed thereon. Know thou, my strength is such that I can bearwithout fatigue even all the worlds put together, with their mobile andimmobile objects.'
"Sauti continued, 'O Saunaka, after Garuda of great courage had thusspoken, 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 thousayest. Everything is possible in thee. Accept now my sincere and heartyfriendship. And if thou hast no concern with the Soma, return it to me.Those to whom thou wouldst give it would always oppose us.' Garudaanswered, 'There is a certain reason for which the Soma is being carriedby me. I shall not give the Soma to any one for drink. But, O thou of athousand 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, 'Ooviparous 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 thoudesirest.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then Garuda, recollecting the sons of Kadru andremembering also the bondage of his mother caused by an act of deceptionowing 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 theDanavas having said unto him, 'Be it so,' then went to Hari, the god ofgods, of great soul, and the lord of Yogins. And the latter sanctionedeverything that had been said by Garuda. And the illustrious lord ofheaven again said unto Garuda, 'I shall bring away the Soma when thouplacest it down.' And having said so, he bade farewell to Garuda. And thebird of fair feathers then went to the presence of his mother with greatspeed.
"And Garuda in joy then spake unto all the snakes, 'Here have I broughtthe Amrita. Let me place it on some Kusa grass. O ye snakes, sittinghere, drink of it after ye have performed your ablutions and religiousrites. As said by you, let my mother become, from this day, free, for Ihave accomplished your bidding.' The snakes having said unto Garuda, 'Beit so,' then went to perform their ablutions. Meanwhile, Sakra taking upthe Amrita, wended back to heaven. The snakes after performing theirablutions, their daily devotions, and other sacred rites, returned injoy, desirous of drinking the Amrita. They saw that the bed of kusa grasswhereon the Amrita had been placed was empty, the Amrita itself havingbeen taken away by a counter-act of deception. And they began to lickwith 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. Andthe kusa grass, too, from the contact with Amrita, became sacredthenceforth. Thus did the illustrious Garuda bring Amrita (from theheavens) for the snakes, and thus were the tongues of snakes divided bywhat Garuda did.
"Then the bird of fair feathers, very much delighted, enjoyed himself inthose woods accompanied by his mother. Of grand achievements, and deeplyreverenced by all rangers of the skies, he gratified his mother bydevouring the snakes.
"That man who would listen to this story, or read it out to an assemblyof good Brahmanas, must surely go to heaven, acquiring great merit fromthe recitation of (the feats of) Garuda.'"
And so ends the thirty-fourth section in the Astika Parva of the AdiParva.
SECTION XXXV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, thou hast told us the reason why thesnakes were cursed by their mother, and why Vinata also was cursed by herson. Thou hast also told us about the bestowal of boons, by theirhusband, on Kadru and Vinata. Thou hast likewise told us the names ofVinata's sons. But thou hast not yet recited to us the names of thesnakes. We are anxious to hear the names of the principal ones.'
"Sauti said, O thou whose wealth is asceticism, from fear of beinglengthy, I shall not mention the names of all the snakes. But I willrecite 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, 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 principalserpents. From fear of being tedious I do not give names of the rest. Othou whose wealth is asceticism, the sons of these snakes, with theirgrandsons, are innumerable. Reflecting upon this, I shall not name themto thee. O best ascetics, in this world the number of snakes bafflescalculation, there being many thousands and millions of them.'"
So ends the thirty-fifth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XXXVI
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'O child, thou hast named many of the serpents gifted withgreat energy and incapable of being easily overcome. What did they doafter hearing of that curse?'
"Sauti said, 'The illustrious Sesha amongst them, of great renown,leaving his mother practised hard penances, living upon air and rigidlyobserving his vows. He practised these ascetic devotions, repairing toGandhamadana, Vadri, Gokarna, the woods of Pushkara, and the foot ofHimavat. And he passed his days in those sacred regions, some of whichwere sacred for their water and others for their soil in the rigidobservance of his vows, with singleness of aim, and his passions undercomplete control. And the Grandsire of all, Brahma, saw that ascetic withknotted hair, clad in rags, and his flesh, skin, and sinews dried upowing to the hard penances he was practising. And the Grandsireaddressing him, that penance-practising one of great fortitude, said,'What is that thorn doest, O Sesha? Let the welfare of the creatures ofthe worlds also engage thy thoughts. O sinless one, thou art afflictingall creatures by thy hard penances. O Sesha, tell me the desire implantedin thy breast.'
"And Sesha replied, 'My uterine brothers are all of wicked hearts. I donot desire to live amongst them. Let this be sanctioned by thee. Likeenemies they are always jealous of one another. I am, therefore, engagedin ascetic devotions. I will not see them even. They never show anykindness for Vinata and her son. Indeed, Vinata's son capable of rangingthrough the skies, is another brother of ours. They always envy him. Andhe, too, is much stronger owing to the bestowal of that boon by ourfather, the high-souled Kasyapa. For these, I engaged in asceticpenances, and I will cast off this body of mine, so that I may avoidcompanionship with them, even in another state of life.'
"Unto Sesha who had said so, the Grandsire said, 'O Sesha, I know thebehaviour of all thy brothers and their great danger owing to theiroffence against their mother. But O Snake, a remedy (for this) hath beenprovided by me even beforehand. It behoveth thee not to grieve for thybrothers. O Sesha, ask of me the boon thou desirest. I have been highlygratified 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 bemore 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 asceticpenances, O Lord of all!'
"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thyself-denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be doneby thee for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly andwell this Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas andtowns and retreats, so that she may be steady.'
"Sesha said, 'O divine Lord of all creatures, O bestower of boons, O lordof 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 allcreatures, place her on my head.'
"Brahman said, 'O best of snakes, go underneath the Earth. She willherself give thee a crevice to pass through. And, O Sesha, by holding theEarth, 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 allround.'
"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, O best of snakes, thou art the god Dharma,because alone, with thy huge body, thou supportest the Earth witheverything 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 ofBrahman. And the illustrious Grandsire, the best of the immortals, thengave unto Ananta the bird of fair feathers, viz., the son of Vinata, forAnanta's help.'"
So ends the thirty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XXXVII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'That best of snakes, viz., Vasuki, hearing the curse of hismother, reflected how to render it abortive. He held a consultation withall his brothers, Airavata and others, intent upon doing what they deemedbest for themselves.'
"And Vasuki said, 'O ye sinless ones, the object of this curse is knownto you. It behoveth us to strive to neutralise it. Remedies certainlyexist for all curses, but no remedy can avail those cursed by theirmother. Hearing that this curse hath been uttered in the presence of theImmutable, the Infinite, and the True one, my heart trembleth. Surely,our annihilation hath come. Otherwise why should not the Immutable Lordprevent our mother while uttering the curse? Therefore, let us consulttoday 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 outthe means of deliverance as (did) the gods of yore to regain lost Agniwho had concealed himself within a cave, so that Janamejaya's sacrificefor the destruction of the snakes may not take place, and so that we maynot meet with destruction.'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed all the offspring of Kadru assembledtogether, and, wise in counsels, submitted their opinions to one another.One party of the serpents said, 'We should assume the guise of superiorBrahmanas, and beseech Janamejaya, saying, 'This (intended) sacrifice ofyours ought not to take place.' Other snakes thinking themselves wise,said, 'We should all become his favourite counsellors. He will thencertainly ask for our advice in all projects. And we will then give himsuch advice that the sacrifice may be obstructed. The king, the foremostof wise men, thinking us of sterling worth will certainly ask us abouthis sacrifice. We will say, 'It must not be!' And pointing to manyserious evils in this and the next worlds, we will take care that thesacrifice may not take place. Or, let one of the snakes, approaching,bite the person who, intending the monarch's good, and well-acquaintedwith the rites of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed as thesacrificial 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 appointedRitwiks of the sacrifice, and by that means attain our object.' Othersnakes, 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, whichis blessed on the practices of the righteous. Unrighteousness finallydestroyeth the world.' Other serpents said, 'We will extinguish theblazing sacrificial fire by ourselves becoming clouds luminous withlightning and pouring down showers.' Other snakes, the best of theirkind, proposed, 'Going, by night, let us steal away the vessel of Somajuice. 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 anddung.' Others said, 'Let us become the king's Ritwiks, and obstruct hissacrifice by saying at the outset, 'Give us the sacrificial fee.' He (theking), being placed in our power, will do whatever we like.' Others theresaid, 'When the king will sport in the waters, we will carry him to ourhome and bind him, so that that sacrifice will not take place!' Otherserpents who deemed themselves wise, said, 'Approaching the king, let usbite him, so that our object will be accomplished. By his death the rootof all evil will be torn up. This is the final deliberation of us all, Othou who hearest with thy eyes! Then, do speedily what thou deemestproper.' Having said this, they looked intently at Vasuki, that best ofsnakes. And Vasuki also, after reflecting, answered saying, 'Ye snakes,this final determination of you doth not seem worthy of adoption. Theadvice of you all is not to my liking. What shall I say which would befor 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 yoursuggestions 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 thatmakes me so anxious, for the credit or the discredit (of the measure) ismine alone.'"
So ends the thirty-seventh section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XXXVIII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Hearing the respective speeches of all the snakes, andhearing also the words of Vasuki, Elapatra began to address them, saying,'That sacrifice is not one that can be prevented. Nor is king Janamejayaof the Pandava race from whom this fear proceedeth, such that he can behindered. The person, O king, who is afflicted by fate hath recourse tofate alone; nothing else can be his refuge. Ye best of snakes, this fearof 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, infear I lay crouching on the lap of our mother. Ye best of snakes, and Olord (Vasuki) of great splendour, from that place I heard the words thesorrowing gods spake unto the Grandsire. The gods said, 'O Grandsire,thou god of gods who else than the cruel Kadru could thus, after gettingsuch dear children, curse them so, even in thy presence? And, OGrandsire, by thee also hath been spoken, with reference to those wordsof hers, 'Be it so.' We wish to know the reason why thou didst notprevent her.' Brahman replied, 'The snakes have multiplied. They arecruel, terrible in form and highly poisonous. From desire of the good ofmy creatures, I did not prevent Kadru then. Those poisonous serpents andothers who are sinful, biting others for no faults, shall, indeed, bedestroyed, 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 bythe name of Jaratkaru, intelligent, with passions under complete control.That Jaratkaru shall have a son of the name of Astika. He shall put astop to that sacrifice. And those snakes who shall be virtuous shallescape therefrom. The gods said, 'O thou truth-knowing one, on whom willJaratkaru, 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 wifeof the same name as his. Vasuki, the king of the snakes, hath a sister ofthe 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. OVasuki, I see before me that sister of thine known by the name ofJaratkaru. For relieving us from fear, give her as alms unto him (i.e.,the Rishi), Jaratkaru, of excellent vows, who shall roam abegging for abride. This means of release hath been heard of by me!'"
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, theforemost of all gifted with strength, became the churning-cord. Anddirectly the work was over, the king of the snakes presented himselfbefore the Grandsire. And the gods, accompanied by Vasuki, addressed theGrandsire, saying, 'O lord, Vasuki is suffering great affliction fromfear 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 ofVasuki desirous of the weal of his race. The king of the snakes is everour friend and benefactor. O Lord of the gods, be gracious unto him andassuage his mind's fever.'
"Brahman replied, 'O ye immortals, I have thought, in my mind, of what yehave said. Let the king of the snakes do that which hath beencommunicated to him before by Elapatra. The time hath arrived. Those onlyshall be destroyed that are wicked, not those that are virtuous.Jaratkaru hath been born, and that Brahmana is engaged in hard asceticpenances. Let Vasuki, at the proper time, bestow on him his sister. Yegods, what hath been spoken by the snake Elapatra for the weal of thesnakes is true and not otherwise.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then the king of the snakes, Vasuki, afflicted withthe curse of his mother, hearing these words of the Grandsire, andintending to bestow his sister of the Rishi Jaratkaru, commanded all theserpents, a large numbers of whom were ever attentive to their duties, towatch the Rishi Jaratkaru, saying, 'When the lord Jaratkaru will ask fora wife, come immediately and inform me of it. The weal of our racedepends upon it.'"
SECTION XL
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, I desire to know the reason why theillustrious Rishi whom thou hast named Jaratkaru came to be so called onearth. It behoveth thee to tell us the etymology of the name Jaratkaru.'
"Sauti said, 'Jara is said to mean waste, and Karu implies huge. ThisRishi's body had been huge, and he gradually reduced it by severe asceticpenances. For the same reason, O Brahmanas, the sister of Vasuki wascalled Jaratkaru.'
The virtuous Saunaka, when he heard this, smiled and addressingUgrasravas said, 'It is even so.'
Saunaka then said, 'I have heard all that thou hast before recited. Idesire to know how Astika was born.'
Sauti, on hearing these words, began to relate according to what waswritten in the Sastras.
"Sauti said, 'Vasuki, desirous of bestowing his sister upon the RishiJaratkaru, gave the snakes (necessary) orders. But days went on, yet thatwise Muni of rigid vows, deeply engaged in ascetic devotions, did notseek for a wife. That high-souled Rishi, engaged in studies and deeplydevoted to asceticism, his vital seed under full control, fearlesslywandered over the whole earth and had no wish for a wife.
"Afterwards, once upon a time, there was a king, O Brahmana, of the nameof Parikshit, born in the race of the Kauravas. And, like hisgreat-grandfather Pandu of old, he was of mighty arms, the first of allbearers of bows in battle, and fond of hunting. And the monarch wanderedabout, hunting deer, and wild boars, and wolves, and buffaloes andvarious other kinds of wild animals. One day, having pierced a deer witha sharp arrow and slung his bow on his back, he penetrated into the deepforest, searching for the animal here and there, like the illustriousRudra himself of old pursuing in the heavens, bow in hand, the deer whichwas Sacrifice, itself turned into that shape, after the piercing. No deerthat 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 thatParikshit--that king of men--had pierced was lost to his gaze and drewthe monarch far away into the forest. And fatigued and thirsty, he cameacross a Muni, in the forest, seated in a cow-pen and drinking to hisfill the froth oozing out of the mouths of calves sucking the milk oftheir dams. And approaching him hastily, the monarch, hungry andfatigued, and raising his bow, asked that Muni of rigid vows, saying, 'OBrahmana, I am king Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu. A deer pierced by mehath been lost. Hast thou seen it?' But that Muni observing then the vowof silence, spoke not unto him a word. And the king in anger thereuponplaced upon his shoulder a dead snake, taking it up with the end of hisbow. The Muni suffered him to do it without protest. And he spoke not aword, good or bad. And the king seeing him in that state, cast off hisanger and became sorry. And he returned to his capital but the Rishicontinued in the same state. The forgiving Muni, knowing that the monarchwho was a tiger amongst kings was true to the duties of his order, cursedhim not, though insulted. That tiger amongst monarchs, that foremost oneof Bharata's race, also did not know that the person whom he had soinsulted was a virtuous Rishi. It was for this that he had so insultedhim.
"That Rishi had a son by name Sringin, of tender years, gifted with greatenergy, deep in ascetic penances, severe in his vows, very wrathful, anddifficult to be appeased. At times, he worshipped with great attentionand respect his preceptor seated with ease on his seat and ever engagedin the good of creatures.
"And commanded by his preceptor, he was coming home when, O best ofBrahmanas, a companion of his, a Rishi's son named Krisa in a playfulmood laughingly spoke unto him. And Sringin, wrathful and like untopoison itself, hearing these words in reference to his father, blazed upin rage.'
"And Krisa said, 'Be not proud, O Sringin, for ascetic as thou art andpossessed of energy, thy father bears on his shoulders a dead snake.Henceforth speak not a word to sons of Rishis like ourselves who haveknowledge of the truth, are deep in ascetic penances, and have attainedsuccess. Where is that manliness of thine, those high words of thinebegotten of pride, when thou must have to behold thy father bearing adead snake? O best of all the Munis, thy father too had done nothing todeserve this treatment, and it is for this that I am particularly sorryas if the punishment were mine.'"
SECTION XLI
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Being thus addressed, and hearing that his sire was bearinga dead snake, the powerful Sringin burned with wrath. And looking atKrisa, and speaking softly, he asked him, 'Pray, why doth my father beartoday a dead snake?' And Krisa replied, 'Even as king Parikshit wasroving, for purpose of hunting, O dear one, he placed the dead snake onthe shoulder of thy sire.'
"And Sringin asked, 'What wrong was done to that wicked monarch by myfather? O Krisa, tell me this, and witness the power of my asceticism.'
"And Krisa answered, 'King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, whilehunting, had wounded a fleet stag with an arrow and chased it alone. Andthe king lost sight of the animal in that extensive wilderness. Seeingthen thy sire, he immediately accosted him. Thy sire was then observingthe vow of silence. Oppressed by hunger, thirst and labour, the princeagain and again asked thy sire sitting motionless, about the missingdeer. The sage, being under the vow of silence, returned no reply. Theking thereupon placed the snake on thy sire's shoulder with the end ofhis bow. O Sringin, thy sire engaged in devotion is in the same posturestill. And the king also hath gone to his capital which is named afterthe 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 thencursed the king, touching water and overcome with wrath.'
"And Sringin said, 'That sinful wretch of a monarch who hath placed adead snake on the shoulders of my lean and old parent, that insulter ofBrahmanas and tarnisher of the fame of the Kurus, shall be taken withinseven nights hence to the regions of Yama (Death) by the snake Takshaka,the powerful king of serpents, stimulated thereto by the strength of mywords!'
"Sauti continued, 'And having thus cursed (the king) from anger, Sringinwent to his father, and saw the sage sitting in the cow-pen, bearing thedead snake. And seeing his parent in that plight, he was again inflamedwith ire. And he shed tears of grief, and addressed his sire, saying,'Father, having been informed of this thy disgrace at the hands of thatwicked wretch, king Parikshit, I have from anger even cursed him; andthat worst of Kurus hath richly deserved my potent curse. Seven dayshence, Takshaka, the lord of snakes, shall take the sinful king to thehorrible 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 thedomains of that great king. We are protected by him righteously. In allhe does, the reigning king should by the like of us forgiven. If thoudestroy Dharma, verily Dharma will destroy thee. If the king do notproperly protect us, we fare very ill; we cannot perform our religiousrites according to our desire. But protected by righteous sovereigns, weattain immense merit, and they are entitled to a share thereof.Therefore, reigning royalty is by all means to be forgiven. And Parikshitlike unto his great-grandsire, protecteth us as a king should protect hissubjects. That penance-practising monarch was fatigued and oppressed withhunger. Ignorant of my vow (of silence) he did this. A kingless countryalways suffereth from evils. The king punisheth offenders, and fear ofpunishments conducteth to peace; and people do their duties and performtheir rites undisturbed. The king establisheth religion--establisheth thekingdom of heaven. The king protecteth sacrifices from disturbance, andsacrifices to please the gods. The gods cause rain, and rain producethgrains and herbs, which are always useful to man. Manu sayeth, a ruler ofthe destinies of men is equal (in dignity) to ten Veda-studying priests.Fatigued and oppressed with hunger, that penance-practising prince hathdone this through ignorance of my vow. Why then hast thou rashly donethis unrighteous action through childishness? O son, in no way doth theking deserve a curse from us.'"
SECTION XLII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'And Sringin then replied to his father, saying, 'Whetherthis be an act of rashness, O father, or an improper act that I havedone, whether thou likest it or dislikest it, the words spoken by meshall never be in vain. O father, I tell thee (a curse) can never beotherwise. I have never spoken a lie even in jest.'
"And Samika said, 'Dear child, I know that thou art of great prowess, andtruthful in speech. Thou hast never spoken falsehood before, so that thycurse shall never be falsified. The son, even when he attaineth to age,should yet be always counselled by the father, so that crowned with goodqualities he may acquire great renown. A child as thou art, how much moredost thou stand in need of counsel? Thou art ever engaged in asceticpenances. The wrath of even the illustrious ones possessing the sixattributes increaseth greatly. O thou foremost of ordinance-observingpersons, seeing that thou art my son and a minor too, and beholding alsothy rashness, I see that I must counsel thee. Live thou, O son, inclinedto peace and eating fruits and roots of the forest. Kill this thy angerand destroy not the fruit of thy ascetic acts in this way. Wrath surelydecreaseth the virtue that ascetics acquire with great pains. And thenfor 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, shouldstthou always live. By forgiveness shalt thou obtain worlds that are beyondthe reach of Brahman himself. Having adopted peacefulness myself, andwith a desire also for doing good as much as lies in my power, I must dosomething; even must I send to that king, telling him, 'O monarch, thouhast been cursed by my son of tender years and undeveloped intellect, inwrath, at seeing thy act of disrespect towards myself.'
"Sauti continued, 'And that great ascetic, observer of vows, moved bykindness, sent with proper instructions a disciple of his to kingParikshit. And he sent his disciple Gaurmukha of good manners and engagedalso in ascetic penances, instructing him to first enquire about thewelfare of the king and then to communicate the real message. And thatdisciple soon approached that monarch, the head of the Kuru race. And heentered the king's palace having first sent notice of his arrival throughthe servant in attendance at the gate.
"And the twice-born Gaurmukha was duly worshipped by the monarch. Andafter resting for a while, he detailed fully to the king, in the presenceof his ministers, the words of Samika, of cruel import, exactly as he hadbeen 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 tohard ascetic devotions, living in thy dominions! By thee, O tiger amongmen, was placed on the shoulders of that Rishi observing at present thevow of silence, a dead snake, with the end of thy bow! He himself forgavethee that act. But his son could not. And by the latter hast thou todaybeen cursed, O king of kings, without the knowledge of his father, to theeffect that within seven nights hence, shall (the snake) Takshaka causethy death. And Samika repeatedly asked his son to save thee, but there isnone to falsify his son's curse. And because he hath been unable topacify his son possessed by anger, therefore have I been sent to thee, Oking, 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 Rishisin the forest had been observing the vow of silence, was doubly afflictedwith sorrow and seeing the kindness of the Rishi Samika, and consideringhis own sinful act towards him, the king became very repentant. And theking looking like a very god, did not grieve so much for hearing of hisdeath 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. Andhaving consulted them, the king, himself wise in counsels, caused amansion to be erected upon one solitary column. It was well-guarded dayand night. And for its protection were placed there physicians andmedicines, and Brahmanas skilled in mantras all around. And the monarch,protected on all sides, discharged his kingly duties from that placesurrounded by his virtuous ministers. And no one could approach that bestof kings there. The air even could not go there, being prevented fromentering.
"And when the seventh day had arrived, that best of Brahmanas, thelearned Kasyapa was coming (towards the king's residence), desirous oftreating the king (after the snake-bite). He had heard all that had takenplace, viz., that Takshaka, that first of snakes, would send that best ofmonarchs to the presence of Yama (Death). And he thought, I would curethe monarch after he is bit by that first of snakes. By that I may havewealth and may acquire virtue also.' But that prince of snakes, Takshaka,in the form of an old Brahmana, saw Kasyapa approaching on his way, hisheart set upon curing the king. And the prince of snakes then spake untothat bull among Munis, Kasyapa, saying, 'Whither dost thou go with suchspeed? What, besides, is the business upon which thou art intent?'
"And Kasyapa, thus addressed, replied, 'Takshaka, by his poison, willtoday burn king Parikshit of the Kuru race, that oppressor of allenemies. I go with speed, O amiable one, to cure, without loss of time,the king of immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Pandavarace, after he is bit by the same Takshaka like to Agni himself inenergy.' And Takshaka answered, 'I am that Takshaka, O Brahmana, whoshall burn that lord of the earth. Stop, for thou art unable to cure onebit 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 bythee.'"
SECTION XLIII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'And Takshaka, after this, answered, 'If, indeed, thou artable to cure any creature bitten by me, then, O Kasyapa, revive thou thistree bit by me. O best of Brahmanas, I burn this banian in thy sight. Trythy 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 ofsnakes, this tree. O snake, I shall revive it, though bit by thee.
"Sauti continued, 'That king of snakes, thus addressed by the illustriousKasyapa, bit then that banian tree. And that tree, bit by the illustrioussnake, 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 theforest.'
"Sauti continued, 'The tree was reduced to ashes by the poison of thatking of snakes. But taking up those ashes, Kasyapa spoke these words. 'Oking of snakes, behold the power of my knowledge as applied to this lordof the forest! O snake, under thy very nose I shall revive it.' And thenthat best of Brahmanas, the illustrious and learned Kasyapa, revived, byhis vidya, that tree which had been reduced to a heap of ashes. And firsthe created the sprout, then he furnished it with two leaves, and then hemade the stem, and then the branches, and then the full-grown tree withleaves and all. And Takshaka, seeing the tree revived by the illustriousKasyapa, said unto him, 'It is not wonderful in thee that thou shouldstdestroy my poison or that of any one else like myself. O thou whosewealth is asceticism, desirous of what wealth, goest thou thither? Thereward thou hopest to have from that best of monarchs, even I will givethee, however difficult it may be to obtain it. Decked with fame as thouart, thy success may be doubtful on that king affected by a Brahmana'scurse and whose span of life itself hath been shortened. In that case,this blazing fame of thine that hath overspread the three worlds willdisappear like the Sun when deprived of his splendour (on the occasion ofthe eclipse).'
"Kasyapa said, 'I go there for wealth, give it unto me, O snake, so thattaking thy gold. I may return.' Takshaka replied, 'O best of regenerateones, 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 andintelligence, hearing those words of Takshaka, sat in yoga meditationover the king. And that foremost of Munis, viz., Kasyapa, of greatprowess and gifted with spiritual knowledge, ascertaining that the periodof 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 theproper time speedily entered the city of Hastinapura. And on his way heheard that the king was living very cautiously, protected by means ofpoison-neutralising mantras and medicines.'
"Sauti continued, 'The snake thereupon reflected thus, 'The monarch mustbe 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 asceticstaking with them fruits, kusa grass, and water (as presents). AndTakshaka, addressing them, said, 'Go ye all to the king, on the pretextof pressing business, without any sign of impatience, as if to make themonarch only accept the fruits and flowers and water (that ye shall carryas presents unto him).'
"Sauti continued, 'Those snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, actedaccordingly. 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.' Thenafter those snakes disguised as ascetics had gone away, the kingaddressed his ministers and friends, saying, 'Eat ye, with me, all thesefruits of excellent taste brought by the ascetics.' Impelled by Fate andthe words of the Rishi, the king, with his ministers, felt the desire ofeating those fruits. The particular fruit, within which Takshaka hadentered, was taken by the king himself for eating. And when he was eatingit, there appeared, O Saunaka, an ugly insect out of it, of shapescarcely discernible, of eyes black, and of coppery colour. And thatforemost 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 beexpiated and the words of the ascetic rendered true.' And thosecouncillors also, impelled by Fate, approved of that speech. And then themonarch smiled, losing his senses, his hour having come. And he quicklyplaced 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 beenoffered to the king, coiled himself round the neck of the monarch. Andquickly coiling round the king's neck and uttering a tremendous roar,Takshaka, that lord of snakes, bit that protector of the earth.'"
SECTION XLIV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Then the councillors beholding the king in the coils ofTakshaka, became pale with fear and wept in exceeding grief. And hearingthe roar of Takshaka, the ministers all fled. And as they were flyingaway in great grief, they saw Takshaka, the king of snakes, thatwonderful serpent, coursing through the blue sky like a streak of the hueof the lotus, and looking very much like the vermilion-coloured line on awoman'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'spoison. And the king's councillors, on beholding it, fled away in alldirections. And the king himself fell down, as if struck by lightning.
"And when the king was laid low by Takshaka's poison, his councillorswith the royal priest--a holy Brahmana--performed all his last rites. Allthe citizens, assembling together, made the minor son of the deceasedmonarch their king. And the people called their new king, that slayer ofall enemies, that hero of the Kuru race, by the name of Janamejaya. Andthat best of monarchs, Janamejaya, though a child, was wise in mind. Andwith his councillors and priest, the eldest son Parikshita, that bullamongst the Kurus, ruled the kingdom like his heroic great-grand-father(Yudhishthira). And the ministers of the youthful monarch, beholding thathe could now keep his enemies in check, went to Suvarnavarman, the kingof Kasi, and asked him his daughter Vapushtama for a bride. And the kingof Kasi, after due inquiries, bestowed with ordained rites, his daughterVapushtama on that mighty hero of Kuru race. And the latter, receivinghis bride, became exceedingly glad. And he gave not his heart at any timeto any other woman. And gifted with great energy, he wandered in pursuitof pleasure, with a cheerful heart, on expanses of water and amid woodsand flowery fields. And that first of monarchs passed his time inpleasure as Pururavas of old did, on receiving the celestial damselUrvasi. Herself fairest of the fair, the damsel Vapushtama too, devotedto her lord and celebrated for her beauty having gained a desirablehusband, pleased him by the excess of her affection during the period hespent in the pursuit of pleasure.'"
SECTION XLV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Meanwhile the great ascetic Jaratkaru wandered over the whole earthmaking the place where evening fell his home for the night. And giftedwith ascetic power, he roamed, practising various vows difficult to bepractised by the immature, and bathing also in various sacred waters. Andthe Muni had air alone for his food and was free from desire of worldlyenjoyment. And he became daily emaciated and grew lean-fleshed. And oneday he saw the spirits of his ancestors, heads down, in a hole, by a cordof virana roots having only one thread entire. And that even singlethread was being gradually eaten away by a large rat dwelling in thathole. And the Pitris in that hole were without food, emaciated, pitiable,and eagerly desirous of salvation. And Jaratkaru, approaching thepitiable one, himself in humble guise, asked them, 'Who are ye hanging bythis cord of virana roots? The single weak root that is still left inthis cord of virana roots already eaten away by the rat, dwelling in thishole, is itself being gradually eaten away by the same rat with his sharpteeth. The little that remains of that single thread will soon be cutaway. It is clear ye shall then have to fall down into this pit withfaces downwards. Seeing you with faces downwards, and overtaken by thisgreat 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, athird, 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 allthis. 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 thyasceticism. O child, O first of speakers, we too have the fruits of ourasceticism. But, O Brahmana, it is for the loss of children that we arefalling down into this unholy hell. The grandsire himself hath said thata son is a great merit. As we are about to be cast in this hole, ourideas are no longer clear. Therefore, O child, we know thee not, althoughthy manhood is well-known on earth. Venerable thou art and of goodfortune, thou who thus from kindness grievest for us worthy of pity andgreatly afflicted. O Brahmana, listen, who we are. We are Rishis of theYayavara sect, of rigid vows. And, O Muni, from loss of children, we havefallen down from a sacred region. Our severe penances have not beendestroyed; we have a thread yet. But we have only one thread now. Itmatters 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 gonethrough 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 fromgreed for the merits or asceticism, we have been reduced to thisdeplorable state. He hath no wife, no son, no relatives. Therefore, do wehang in this hole, our consciousness lost, like men having none to takecare of them. If thou meetest him, O, tell him, from thy kindness toourselves, Thy Pitris, in sorrow, are hanging with faces downwards in ahole. 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 ofthy ancestors. O Brahmana, the cord of virana roots that thou seest weare hanging by, is the cord representing our multiplied race. And, OBrahmana, these threads of the cord of virana roots that thou seest aseaten away, are ourselves who have been eaten up by Time. This root thouseest hath been half-eaten and by which we are hanging in this hole is hethat hath adopted asceticism alone. The rat that thou beholdest is Timeof infinite strength. And he (Time) is gradually weakening the wretchJaratkaru engaged in ascetic penances tempted by the merits thereof, butwanting in prudence and heart. O excellent one, his asceticism cannotsave us. Behold, our roots being torn, cast down from higher regions,deprived of consciousness by Time, we are going downwards like sinfulwretches. 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, whetherit is asceticism, or sacrifice, or whatever else there be of very holyacts, everything is inferior. These cannot count with a son. O child,having seen all, speak unto that Jaratkaru of ascetic wealth. Thoushouldst tell him in detail everything that thou hast beheld. And, OBrahmana, from thy kindness towards us, thou shouldst tell him all thatwould 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 forus all like a friend? We wish to hear who thou art that stayest here.'"
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 gonebefore. Therefore, tell me what I must do for your welfare. I am thatsinful son of yours, Jaratkaru! Punish me for my sinful deeds, a wretchthat I am.'
"The Pitris replied, saying, 'O son, by good luck hast thou arrived atthis spot in course of thy rambles. O Brahmana, why hast thou not taken awife?'
"Jaratkaru said. 'Ye Pitris, this desire hath always existed in my heartthat I would, with vital seed drawn up, carry this body to the otherworld. My mind hath been possessed with the idea that I would not take awife. But ye grandsires, having seen you hanging like birds, I havediverted my mind from the Brahmacharya mode of life. I will truly do whatyou like. I will certainly marry, if ever I meet with a maiden of my ownname. I shall accept her who, bestowing herself of her own accord, willbe as aims unto me, and whom I shall not have to maintain. I shall marryif I get such a one; otherwise, I shall not. This is the truth, yegrandsires! And the offspring that will be begot upon her shall be yoursalvation. And ye Pitris of mine, ye shall live for ever in blessednessand without fear.'
'Sauti continued, 'The Muni, having said so unto the Pitris, wanderedover the earth again. And, O Saunaka, being old, he obtained no wife. Andhe grieved much that he was not successful. But directed (as before) byhis ancestors, he continued the search. And going into the forest, hewept loudly in great grief. And having gone into the forest, the wiseone, moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, 'I willask for a bride,' distinctly repeating these words thrice. And he said,'Whatever creatures are here, mobile and immobile, so whoever there bethat 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 myancestors, I am roaming in poverty and sorrow, over the wide world forwedding a maiden that I may obtain as alms. Let that creature, amongstthose I have addressed, who hath a daughter, bestow on me that am roamingfar and near. Such a bride as is of same name with me, to be bestowed onme as alms, and whom, besides, I shall not maintain, O bestow on me!'Then those snakes that had been set upon Jaratkaru track, ascertaininghis inclination, gave information to Vasuki. And the king of the snakes,hearing their words, took with him that maiden decked with ornaments, andwent into the forest unto that Rishi. And, O Brahmana, Vasuki, the kingof the snakes, having gone there, offered that maiden as alms unto thathigh-souled Rishi. But the Rishi did not at once accept her. And theRishi, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and seeingthat the question of her maintenance also was unsettled, reflected for afew moments, hesitating to accept her. And then, O son of Bhrigu, heasked Vasuki the maiden's name, and also said unto him, 'I shall notmaintain her.'"
SECTION XLVII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Then Vasuki spake unto the Rishi Jaratkaru these words, 'Obest of Brahmanas, this maiden is of the same name with thee. She is mysister and hath ascetic merit. I will maintain thy wife; accept her. Othou of ascetic wealth, I shall protect her with all my ability. And, Oforemost of the great Munis, she hath been reared by me for thee.' Andthe Rishi replied, 'This is agreed between us that I shall not maintainher; and she shall not do aught that I do not like. If she do, I leaveher!'
"Sauti continued, 'When the snake had promised, saying, 'I shall maintainmy sister,' Jaratkaru then went to the snake's house. Then that first ofmantra-knowing Brahmanas, observing rigid vows, that virtuous and veteranascetic, took her hand presented to him according to shastric rites. Andtaking his bride with him, adored by the great Rishi, he entered thedelightful chamber set apart for him by the king of the snakes. And inthat chamber was a bed-stead covered with very valuable coverlets. AndJaratkaru lived there with his wife. And the excellent Rishi made anagreement with his wife, saying, 'Nothing must ever be done or said bythee 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 inmind these words that have been spoken by me.'
"And then the sister of the king of the snakes in great anxiety andgrieving exceedingly, spoke unto him, saying, 'Be it so.' And moved bythe desire of doing good to her relatives, that damsel, of unsulliedreputation, 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. Andone day, after the menstrual period, the sister of Vasuki, havingpurified herself by a bath according to custom, approached her lord thegreat Muni; And thereupon she conceived. And the embryo was like unto aflame 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 hishead on the lap of his wife, slept, looking like one fatigued. And as hewas sleeping, the sun entered his chambers in the Western mountain andwas about to set. And, O Brahmana, as the day was fading, she, theexcellent sister of Vasuki, became thoughtful, fearing the loss of herhusband's virtue. And she thought, 'What should I now do? Shall I wake myhusband 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 andthe loss of virtue of a virtuous man. The loss of virtue, I ween, is thegreater of the two evils. Again, if I wake him, he will be angry. But iftwilight passeth away without his prayers being said, he shall certainlysustain loss of virtue.'
'And having resolved at last, the sweet-speeched Jaratkaru, the sister ofVasuki, 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, doyour evening prayer after purifying yourself with water and uttering thename of Vishnu. The time for the evening sacrifice hath come. Twilight, Olord, is even now gently covering the western side.'
"The illustrious Jaratkaru of great ascetic merit, thus addressed, spakeunto his wife these words, his upper lip quivering in anger, 'O amiableone of the Naga race, thou hast insulted me. I shall no longer abide withthee, but shall go where I came from. O thou of beautiful thighs, Ibelieve 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 metwith the insult, far less should I, a virtuous person, or those that arelike 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 thatthy virtue may not sustain any loss.'
"The Rishi Jaratkaru, great in ascetic merit, possessed with anger anddesirous of forsaking his spouse, thus addressed, spake unto his wife,saying, O thou fair one, never have I spoken a falsehood. Therefore, go Ishall. This was also settled between ourselves. O amiable one, I havepassed 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, itbehoveth thee not to grieve for me.'
"Thus addressed Jaratkaru, the fair sister of Vasuki, of faultlessfeatures, filled with anxiety and sorrow, having mustered sufficientcourage and patience, though her heart was still quaking, then spake untoRishi Jaratkaru. Her words were obstructed with tears and her face waspale with fear. And the palms of her hands were joined together, and hereyes were bathed in tears. And she said, 'It behoveth thee not to leaveme without a fault. Thou treadest over the path of virtue. I too havebeen in the same path, with heart fixed on the good of my relatives. Obest of Brahmanas, the object for which I was bestowed on thee hath notbeen accomplished yet. Unfortunate that I am, what shall Vasuki say untome? O excellent one, the offspring desired of by my relatives afflictedby a mother's curse, do not yet appear! The welfare of my relativesdependeth on the acquisition of offspring from thee. And in order that myconnection with thee may not be fruitless, O illustrious Brahmana, movedby the desire of doing good to my race do I entreat thee. O excellentone, 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 wifeJaratkaru these words that were proper and suitable to the occasion. Andhe said, 'O fortunate one, the being thou hast conceived, even like untoAgni himself is a Rishi of soul highly virtuous, and a master of theVedas 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.'"
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 hadhappened. And the prince of snakes, hearing the calamitous news, spakeunto 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, ason be born, then he, possessed of energy, will save us all from thesnake-sacrifice. The Grandsire had said so, of old, in the midst of thegods. O fortunate one, hast thou conceived from thy union with that bestof Rishis? My heart's desire is that my bestowal of thee on that wise onemay not be fruitless. Truly, it is not proper for me to ask thee aboutthis. But from the gravity of the interests I ask thee this. Knowing alsothe obstinacy of thy lord, ever engaged in severe penances, I shall notfollow him, for he may curse me. Tell me in detail all that thy lord, Oamiable one, hath done, and extract that terribly afflicting dart thatlies implanted for a long time past in my heart.'
"Jaratkaru, thus addressed, consoling Vasuki, the king of the snakes, atlength replied, saying, 'Asked by me about offspring, the high-souled andmighty ascetic said, 'There is,'--and then he went away. I do notremember 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? Hesaid, 'Thou shouldst not grieve, O daughter of the snake race, about theintended result of our union. A son shall be born to thee, resplendent asthe blazing sun.' O brother, having said this to me, my husband ofascetic wealth went away--Therefore, let the deep sorrow cherished in thyheart 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, theembryo endued with great splendour, began to develop, like the moon inthe heavens in the bright fortnight.
And in due time, the sister of the snakes, O Brahmana, gave birth to ason of the splendour of a celestial child, who became the reliever of thefears of his ancestors and maternal relatives. The child grew up there inthe house of the king of the snakes. He studied the Vedas and theirbranches with the ascetic Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu. And though but aboy, his vows were rigid. And he was gifted with great intelligence, andwith the several attributes of virtue, knowledge, freedom from theworld's indulgences, and saintliness. And the name by which he was knownto the world was Astika. And he was known by the name of Astika (whoeveris) because his father had gone to the woods, saying. 'There is', when hewas 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 waslike 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 allthe snakes.'"
SECTION XLIX
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'Tell me again, in detail,--all that king Janamejaya hadasked his ministers about his father's ascension to heaven.'
'Sauti said, 'O Brahmana, hear all that the king asked his ministers, andall that they said about the death of Parikshit.'
"Janamejaya asked, 'Know ye all that befell my father. How did thatfamous king, in time, meet with his death? Hearing from you the incidentsof my father's life in detail, I shall ordain something, if it be for thebenefit of the world. Otherwise, I shall do nothing.'
'The minister replied, 'Hear, O monarch, what thou hast asked, viz., anaccount of thy illustrious father's life, and how also that king of kingsleft this world. Thy father was virtuous and high-souled, and alwaysprotected his people. O, hear, how that high-souled one conducted himselfon earth. Like unto an impersonation of virtue and justice, the monarch,cognisant of virtue, virtuously protected the four orders, each engagedin the discharge of their specified duties. Of incomparable prowess, andblessed with fortune, he protected the goddess Earth. There was none whohated him and he himself hated none. Like unto Prajapati (Brahma) he wasequally disposed towards all creatures. O monarch, Brahmanas andKshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, all engaged contentedly in thepractice of their respective duties, were impartially protected by thatking. Widows and orphans, the maimed and the poor, he maintained. Ofhandsome features, he was unto all creatures like a second Soma.Cherishing his subjects and keeping them contented, blessed with goodfortune, truth-telling, of immense prowess, he was the disciple ofSaradwat in the science of arms. And, O Janamejaya, thy father was dearunto Govinda. Of great fame, he was loved by all men. And he was born inthe womb of Uttara when the Kuru race was almost extinct. And, therefore,the mighty son of Abhimanyu came to be called Parikshit (born in anextinct line). Well-versed in the interpretation of treatises on theduties of kings, he was gifted with every virtue. With passions undercomplete control, intelligent, possessing a retentive memory, thepractiser of all virtues, the conqueror of his six passions of powerfulmind, surpassing all, and fully acquainted with the science of moralityand political science, the father had ruled over these subjects for sixtyyears. And he then died, mourned by all his subjects. And, after him, Ofirst of men, thou hast acquired this hereditary kingdom of the Kurus forthe last thousand years. Thou wast installed while a child, and art thusprotecting every creature.'
"Janamejaya said, 'There hath not been born in our race a king who hathnot sought the good of his subjects or been loved by them. Beholdespecially the conduct of my grandsires ever engaged in greatachievements. How did my father, blessed with many virtues, meet with hisdeath? Describe everything to me as it happened. I am desirous of hearingit from you!'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus directed by the monarch, those councillors, eversolicitous of the good of the king, told him everything exactly as it hadoccurred.'
'And the councillors said, 'O king, that father of thine, that protectorof the whole earth, that foremost of all persons obedient to thescriptures, became addicted to the sports of the field, even as Pandu ofmighty arms, that foremost of all bearers of the bow in battle. He madeover to us all the affairs of state from the most trivial to the mostimportant. One day, going into the forest, he pierced a deer with anarrow. And having pierced it he followed it quickly on foot into the deepwoods, armed with sword and quiver. He could not, however, come upon thelost deer. Sixty years of age and decrepit, he was soon fatigued andbecame hungry. He then saw in the deep woods a high-souled Rishi. TheRishi was then observing the vow of silence. The king asked him about thedeer, but, though asked, he made no reply. At last the king, alreadytired with exertion and hunger, suddenly became angry with that Rishisitting motionless like a piece of wood in observance of his vow ofsilence. Indeed, the king knew not that he was a Muni observing the vowof silence. Swayed by anger, thy father insulted him. O excellent one ofthe Bharata race, the king, thy father taking up from the ground with theend of his bow a dead snake placed it on the shoulders of that Muni ofpure soul. But the Muni spake not a word good or bad and was withoutanger. He continued in the same posture, bearing the dead snake.'"
SECTION L
(Astika Parva continued)
'Sauti continued, 'The ministers said, 'That king of kings then, spentwith hunger and exertion, and having placed the snake upon the shouldersof that Muni, came back to his capital. The Muni had a son, born of acow, of the name of Sringin. He was widely known, possessed of greatprowess and energy, and very wrathful. Going (every day) to his preceptorhe was in the habit of worshipping him. Commanded by him, Sringin wasreturning home, when he heard from a friend of his about the insult ofhis father by thy parent. And, O tiger among kings, he heard that hisfather, without having committed any fault, was bearing, motionless likea statue, upon his shoulders a dead snake placed thereon. O king, theRishi insulted by thy father was severe in ascetic penances, the foremostof Munis, the controller of passions, pure, and ever engaged in wonderfulacts. His soul was enlightened with ascetic penances, and his organs andtheir functions were under complete control. His practices and his speechwere both very nice. He was contented and without avarice. He was withoutmeanness of any kind and without envy. He was old and used to observe thevow of silence. And he was the refuge whom all creatures might seek indistress.
"Such was the Rishi insulted by thy father. The son, however, of thatRishi, in wrath, cursed thy father. Though young in years, the powerfulone was old in ascetic splendour. Speedily touching water, he spake,burning as it were with spiritual energy and rage, these words inallusion to thy father, 'Behold the power of my asceticism! Directed bymy words, the snake Takshaka of powerful energy and virulent poison,shall, within seven nights hence, burn, with his poison the wretch thathath placed the dead snake upon my un-offending father.' And having saidthis, he went to where his father was. And seeing his father he told himof his curse. The tiger among Rishis thereupon sent to thy father adisciple of his, named Gaurmukha, of amiable manners and possessed ofevery virtue. And having rested a while (after arrival at court) he toldthe king everything, saying in the words of his master, 'Thou hast beencursed, O king, by my son. Takshaka shall burn thee with his poison!Therefore, O king, be careful.' O Janamejaya, hearing those terriblewords, thy father took every precaution against the powerful snakeTakshaka.
"And when the seventh day had arrived, a Brahmana Rishi, named Kasyapa,desired to come to the monarch. But the snake Takshaka saw Kasyapa. Andthe prince of snakes spake unto Kasyapa without loss of time, saying,'Where dost thou go so quickly, and what is the business on which thougoest?' Kasyapa replied, saying, 'O Brahmana, I am going whither kingParikshit, that best of the Kurus, is. He shall today be burnt by thepoison of the snake Takshaka. I go there quickly in order to cure him, infact, in order that, protected by me, the snake may not bite him todeath.' Takshaka answered, saying, 'Why dost thou seek to revive the kingto be bitten by me? I am that Takshaka. O Brahmana, behold the wonderfulpower of my poison. Thou art incapable of reviving that monarch when bitby me.' So saying, Takshaka, then and there, bit a lord of the forest (abanian tree). And the banian, as soon as it was bit by the snake, wasconverted into ashes. But Kasyapa, O king, revived it. Takshaka thereupontempted him, saying, 'Tell me thy desire.' And Kasyapa, too, thusaddressed, spake again unto Takshaka, saying, 'I go there from desire ofwealth.' And Takshaka, thus addressed, then spake unto the high-souledKasyapa in these soft words, 'O sinless one, take from me more wealththan what thou expectest from that monarch, and go back!' And Kasyapa,that foremost of men, thus addressed by the snake, and receiving from himas much wealth as he desired, wended his way back.
"And Kasyapa going back, Takshaka, approaching in disguise, blasted, withthe fire of his poison, thy virtuous father, the first of kings, thenstaying in his mansion with all precautions. And after that, thou wast, Otiger 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 theaccount is. And hearing all about the discomfiture of thy royal father,and of the insult to the Rishi Utanka, decide thou that which shouldfollow!
'Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, that chastiser of enemies, then spakeupto all his ministers. And he said, 'When did ye learn all that happenedupon that, banian reduced to ashes by Takshaka, and which, wonderful asit is, was afterwards revived by Kasyapa? Assuredly, my father could nothave died, for the poison could have been neutralised by Kasyapa with hismantras. That worst of snakes, of sinful soul, thought within his mindthat if Kasyapa resuscitated the king bit by him, he, Takshaka, would bean object of ridicule in the world owing to the neutralisation of hispoison. Assuredly, having thought so, he pacified the Brahmana. I havedevised a way, however, of inflicting punishment upon him. I like toknow, however, what ye saw or heard, what happened in the deep solitudeof the forest,--viz., the words of Takshaka and the speeches of Kasyapa.Having known it, I shall devise the means of exterminating the snakerace.'
"The ministers said, 'Hear, O monarch of him who told us before of themeeting between that foremost Brahmana and that prince of snakes in thewoods. A certain person, O monarch, had climbed up that tree containingsome 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 ofkings, he was revived with the tree by the power of the Brahmana. Thatman, a Brahmana's menial, having come to us, represented fully everythingas 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 tigeramong kings, ordain that which should follow.'
"Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, having listened to the words of hisministers, was sorely afflicted with grief, and began to weep. And themonarch began to squeeze his hands. And the lotus-eyed king began tobreathe a long and hot breath, shed tears, and shrieked aloud. Andpossessed with grief and sorrow, and shedding copious tears, and touchingwater according to the form, the monarch spake. And reflecting for amoment, as if settling something in his mind, the angry monarch,addressing all ministers, said these words.
'I have heard your account of my father's ascension to heaven. Know yenow what my fixed resolve is. I think no time must be lost in avengingthis injury upon the wretch Takshaka that killed my father. He burnt myfather making Sringin only a secondary cause. From malignity alone hemade Kasyapa return. If that Brahmana had arrived, my father assuredlywould have lived. What would he have lost if the king had revived by thegrace of Kasyapa and the precautionary measures of his ministers? Fromignorance of the effects of my wrath, he prevented Kasyapa--thatexcellent of Brahmanas--whom he could not defeat, from coming to myfather with the desire of reviving him. The act of aggression is great onthe part of the wretch Takshaka who gave wealth unto that Brahmana inorder that he might not revive the king. I must now avenge myself on myfather's enemy to please myself, the Rishi Utanka and you all.'"
SECTION LI
(Astika Parva continued)
'Sauti said, 'King Janamejaya having said so, his ministers expressedtheir approbation. And the monarch then expressed his determination toperform a snake-sacrifice. And that lord of the Earth--that tiger of theBharata race--the son of Parikshit, then called his priest and Ritwiks.And accomplished in speech, he spake unto them these words relating tothe accomplishment of his great task. 'I must avenge myself on the wretchTakshaka who killed my father. Tell me what I must do. Do you know anyact by which I may cast into the blazing fire the snake Takshaka with hisrelatives? I desire to burn that wretch even as he burnt, of yore, by thefire of his poison, my father.'
'The chief priest answered, 'There is, O king, a great sacrifice for theedevised by the gods themselves. It is known as the snake-sacrifice, andis read of in the Puranas. O king, thou alone canst accomplish it, and noone else. Men versed in the Puranas have told us, there is such asacrifice.'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, the king, O excellent one, thoughtTakshaka to be already burnt and thrown into the blazing mouth of Agni,the eater of the sacrificial butter. The king then said unto thoseBrahmanas versed in mantras, 'I shall make preparations for thatsacrifice. Tell me the things that are necessary.' And the king'sRitwiks, O excellent Brahmana, versed in the Vedas and acquainted withthe rites of that sacrifice measured, according to the scriptures, theland for the sacrificial platform. And the platform was decked withvaluable articles and with Brahmanas. And it was full of precious thingsand paddy. And the Ritwika sat upon it at ease. And after the sacrificialplatform had been thus constructed according to rule and as desired, theyinstalled the king at the snake-sacrifice for the attainment of itsobject. And before the commencement of the snake-Sacrifice that was tocome, there occurred this very important incident foreboding obstructionto the sacrifice. For when the sacrificial platform was beingconstructed, a professional builder of great intelligence and well-versedin the knowledge of laying foundations, a Suta by caste, well-acquaintedwith the Puranas, said, 'The soil upon which and the time at which themeasurement for the sacrificial platform has been made, indicate thatthis sacrifice will not be completed, a Brahmana becoming the reasonthereof.' Hearing this, the king, before his installation, gave orders tohis gate-keepers not to admit anybody without his knowledge."
SECTION LII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'The snake-sacrifice then commenced according to due form.And the sacrificial priests, competent in their respective dutiesaccording to the ordinance, clad in black garments and their eyes redfrom contact with smoke, poured clarified butter into the blazing fire,uttering the appropriate mantras. And causing the hearts of all thesnakes to tremble with fear, they poured clarified butter into the mouthof Agni uttering the names of the snakes. And the snakes thereupon beganto fall into the blazing fire, benumbed and piteously calling upon oneanother. And swollen and breathing hard, and twining each other withtheir heads and tails, they came in large numbers and fell into the fire.The white, the black, the blue, the old and the young--all fell alikeinto the fire, uttering various cries. Those measuring a krosa, and thosemeasuring a yojana, and those of the measure of a gokarna, fellcontinuously with great violence into that first of all fires. Andhundreds and thousands and tens of thousands of snakes, deprived of allcontrol over their limbs, perished on that occasion. And amongst thosethat perished, there were some that were like horses, other like trunksof elephants, and others of huge bodies and strength like maddenedelephants Of various colours and virulent poison, terrible and lookinglike maces furnished with iron-spikes, of great strength, ever inclinedto bite, the snakes, afflicted with their mother's curse, fell into thefire.'"
SECTION LIII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka asked, 'What great Rishis became the Ritwiks at thesnake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava line? Who alsobecame the Sadasyas in that terrible snake-sacrifice, so frightful to thesnakes, and begetting such sorrow in them? It behoveth thee to describeall these in detail, so that, O son of Suta, we may know who wereacquainted with the rituals of the snake-sacrifice.'
"Sauti replied, 'I will recite the names of those wise ones who becamethe monarch's Ritwiks and Sadasyas. The Brahmana Chandabhargava becamethe Hotri in that sacrifice. He was of great reputation, and was born inthe race of Chyavana and was the foremost of those acquainted with theVedas. The learned old Brahmana, Kautsa, became the Udgatri, the chanterof the Vedic hymns. Jaimini became the Brahmana, and Sarngarva andPingala the Adhvaryus, Vyasa with his son and disciples, and Uddalaka,Pramataka, Swetaketu, Pingala, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya,Kundajathara, the Brahmana Kalaghata, Vatsya, old Srutasravas everengaged in japa and the study of the Vedas. Kohala Devasarman, Maudgalya,Samasaurava, and many other Brahmanas who had got through the Vedasbecame the Sadasyas at that sacrifice of the son of Parikshit.
"When the Ritwiks in that snake-sacrifice began to pour clarified butterinto the fire, terrible snakes, striking fear into every creature, beganto fall into it. And the fat and the marrow of the snakes thus fallinginto the fire began to flow in rivers. And the atmosphere was filled withan insufferable stench owing to the incessant burning of the snakes. Andincessant also were the cries of the snakes fallen into the fire andthose in the air about to fall into it.
'Meanwhile, Takshaka, that prince of snakes, as soon as he heard thatking Janamejaya was engaged in the sacrifice, went to the palace ofPurandara (Indra). And that best of snakes, having represented all thathad taken place, sought in terror the protection of Indra after havingacknowledged his fault. And Indra, gratified, told him, 'O prince ofsnakes, O Takshaka, here thou hast no fear from that snake-sacrifice. TheGrandsire was pacified by me for thy sake. Therefore, thou hast no fear.Let this fear of thy heart be allayed.'
Sauti continued, 'Thus encouraged by him, that best of snakes began todwell in Indra's abode in joy and happiness. But Vasuki, seeing that thesnakes were incessantly falling into the fire and that his family wasreduced to only a few, became exceedingly sorry. And the king of thesnakes was afflicted with great grief, and his heart was about to break.And summoning his sister, he spake unto her, saying, 'O amiable one, mylimbs are burning and I no longer see the points of the heavens. I amabout to fall down from loss of consciousness. My mind is turning, mysight is falling and my heart is breaking. Benumbed, I may fall todayinto that blazing fire! This sacrifice of the son of Parikshit is for theextermination of our race. It is evident I also shall have to go to theabode of the king of the dead. The time is come, O my sister, on accountof which thou wert bestowed by me on Jaratkaru to protect us with ourrelatives. O best of the women of the snake race, Astika will put an endto the sacrifice that is going on. The Grandsire told me this of old.Therefore, O child, solicit thy dear son who is fully conversant with theVedas and regarded even by the old, for the protection of myself and alsoof those dependent on me."'
SECTION LIV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Then the snake-dame Jaratkaru, calling her own son, toldhim the following words according to the directions of Vasuki, the kingof the snakes. 'O son, the time is come for the accomplishment of thatobject for which I was bestowed on thy father by my brother. Therefore,do thou that which should be done.'
"Astika asked, 'Why wert thou, O mother, bestowed on my father by myuncle? Tell me all truly so that on hearing it, I may do what is proper.'
"Then Jaratkaru, the sister of the king of the snakes, herself unmoved bythe general distress, and even desirous of the welfare of her relatives,said unto him, 'O son, it is said that the mother of all the snakes isKadru. Know thou why she cursed in anger her sons.' Addressing the snakesshe said, 'As ye have refused to falsely represent Uchchaihsravas, theprince of horses, for bringing about Vinata's bondage according to thewager, therefore, shall he whose charioteer is Vayu burn you all inJanamejaya's sacrifice. And perishing in that sacrifice, ye shall go tothe region of the unredeemed spirits.' The Grandsire of all the worldsspake unto her while uttering this curse, 'Be it so,' and thus approvedof her speech. Vasuki, having heard that curse and then the words of theGrandsire, sought the protection of the gods, O child, on the occasionwhen the amrita was being churned for. And the gods, their objectfulfilled, for they had obtained the excellent amrita, with Vasuki ahead,approached the Grandsire. And all the gods, with king Vasuki, sought toincline Him who was born of the lotus to be propitious, so that the cursemight be made abortive.'
"And the gods said, 'O Lord, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, is sorry onaccount of his relatives. How may his mother's curse prove abortive?'
"Brahman thereupon replied, saying, 'Jaratkaru will take unto himself awife of the name of Jaratkaru; the Brahmana born of her will relieve thesnakes.'
"Vasuki, the best of snakes, hearing those words, bestowed me, O thou ofgodlike looks, on thy high-souled father some time before thecommencement of the sacrifice. And from that marriage thou art born ofme. That time has come. It behoveth thee to protect us from this danger.It behoveth thee to protect my brother and myself from the fire, so thatthe object, viz., our relief, for which I was bestowed on thy wisefather, may not be unfulfilled. What dost thou think, O son?'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, Astika said unto his mother, 'Yes, Iwill.' And he then addressed the afflicted Vasuki, and as if infusinglife into him, said, 'O Vasuki, thou best of snakes, thou great being,truly do I say, I shall relieve thee from that curse. Be easy, O snake!There is no fear any longer. I shall strive earnestly so that good maycome! Nobody hath ever said that my speech, even in jest, hath provedfalse. Hence on serious occasions like this, I need not say anythingmore, O uncle, going thither today I shall gratify, with words mixed withblessings, the monarch Janamejaya installed at the sacrifice, so that, Oexcellent one, the sacrifice may stop. O highminded one, O king of thesnakes, believe all that I say. Believe me, my resolve can never beunfulfilled.'
"And Vasuki then said, 'O Astika, my head swims and my heart breaks. Icannot discern the points of the earth, as I am afflicted with a mother'scurse.'
"And Astika said, 'Thou best of snakes, it behoveth thee not to grieveany longer. I shall dispel this fear of thine from the blazing fire. Thisterrible punishment, capable of burning like the fire at the end of theYuga, I shall extinguish. Nurse not thy fear any longer.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then that best of Brahmanas, Astika, quelling theterrible fear of the Vasuki's heart, and taking it, as it were, onhimself, wended, for the relief of the king of the snakes, with speed toJanamejaya's sacrifice blessed with every merit. And Astika having gonethither, beheld the excellent sacrificial compound with numerous Sadasyason it whose splendour was like unto that of the Sun or Agni. But thatbest of Brahmanas was refused admittance by the door-keepers. And themighty ascetic gratified them, being desirous of entering the sacrificialcompound. And that best of Brahmanas, that foremost of all virtuous men,having entered the excellent sacrificial compound, began to adore theking of infinite achievements, Ritwiks, the Sadasyas, and also the sacredfire.'"
SECTION LV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Astika said, 'Soma and Varuna and Prajapati performed sacrifices of oldin Prayaga. But thy sacrifice, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son ofParikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear unto us beblessed! Sakra performed a hundred sacrifices. But this sacrifice ofthine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, is fullyequal to ten thousand sacrifices of Sakra. Let those dear unto us beblessed! Like the sacrifice of Yama, of Harimedha, or of king Rantideva,is the sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son ofParikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like the sacrifice of Maya,of king Sasavindu, or of king Vaisravana, is this sacrifice of thine, Oforemost one of Bharata's race, O son of Satyavati, in which he himselfwas the chief priest, is this sacrifice of Nriga, of Ajamida, of the sonof Dasaratha, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata'srace, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like thesacrifice of king Yudhishthira, the son of a god and belonging to Ajamidarace, heard of (even) in the heavens, is this sacrifice of thine. Oforemost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, let those dear untous be blessed! Like the sacrifice of Krishna (Dwaipayana), the son ofSatyavati, in which he himself was the chief priest, is this sacrifice ofthine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit Let thosedear unto us be blessed! These (Ritwiks and Sadasyas) that are hereengaged in making thy sacrifice, like unto that of the slayer of Vritra,are of splendour equal to that of the sun. There now remains nothing forthem to know, and gifts made to them become inexhaustible (in merit). Itis my conviction that there is no Ritwik in all the worlds who is equalto thy Ritwik, Dwaipayana. His disciples, becoming Ritwiks, competent fortheir duties, travel over the earth. The high-souled bearer of libation(viz., Agni), called also Vibhavasu and Chitrabhanu, having gold for hisvital seed and having his path, marked by black smoke, blazing up withflames inclined to the right, beareth these thy libations of clarifiedbutter to the gods. In this world of men there is no other monarch equalto thee in the protection of subjects. I am ever well-pleased with thyabstinence. Indeed, thou art either Varuna, or Yama, the god of Justice.Like Sakra himself, thunderbolt in hand, thou art, in this world, theprotector of all creatures. In this earth there is no man so great asthou and no monarch who is thy equal in sacrifice. Thou art likeKhatwanga, Nabhaga, and Dilipa. In prowess thou art like Yayati andMandhatri. In splendour equal to the sun, and of excellent vows, thou artO monarch, like Bhishma! Like Valmiki thou art of energy concealed. LikeVasishtha thou hast controlled thy wrath. Like Indra is thy lordship. Thysplendour also shines like that of Narayana. Like Yama art thouconversant with the dispensation of justice. Thou art like Krishnaadorned with every virtue. Thou art the home of the good fortune thatbelongs to the Vasus. Thou art also the refuge of the sacrifices. Instrength thou art equal to Damvodbhava. Like Rama (the son of Jamadagni)thou art conversant with the scriptures and arms. In energy thou artequal to Aurva and Trita. Thou inspirest terror by thy looks likeBhagiratha.'
"Sauti said, 'Astika, having thus adored them, gratified them all, viz.,the king, the Sadasyas, the Ritwiks and the sacrificial fire. And kingJanamejaya beholding the signs and indications manifested all around,addressed them as follows.'"
SECTION LVI
(Astika Parva continued)
Janamejaya said, 'Though this one is but a boy, he speaks yet like a wiseold man. He is not a boy but one wise and old. I think, I desire tobestow on him a boon. Therefore, ye Brahmanas, give me the necessarypermission.'
"The Sadasyas said, 'A Brahmana, though a boy, deserves the respect ofkings. The learned ones do more so. This boy deserves every desire of hisbeing fulfilled by thee, but not before Takshaka comes with speed.'
"Sauti continued, 'The king, being inclined to grant the Brahmana a boon,said 'Ask thou a boon.' The Hotri, however, being rather displeased,said, 'Takshaka hath not come as yet into this sacrifice.'
"Janamejaya replied, 'Exert ye to the best of your might, so that thissacrifice of mine may attain completion, and Takshaka also may soon comehere. He is my enemy.'
"The Ritwiks replied, 'As the scriptures declare unto us, and as the firealso saith, O monarch, (it seems that) Takshaka is now staying in theabode of Indra, afflicted with fear.'
"Sauti continued, 'The illustrious Suta named Lohitaksha also, conversantwith the Puranas, had said so before.
"Asked by the king on the present occasion he again told the monarch,'Sire, it is even so as the Brahmanas have said--Knowing the Puranas, Isay, O monarch, that Indra hath granted him this boon, saying, 'Dwellwith me in concealment, and Agni shall not burn thee.'
'Sauti continued, 'Hearing this, the king installed in the sacrificebecame very sorry and urged the Hotri to do his duty. And as the Hotri,with mantras, began to pour clarified butter into the fire Indra himselfappeared on the scene. And the illustrious one came in his car, adornedby all the gods standing around, followed by masses of clouds, celestialsingers, and the several bevies of celestial dancing girls. And Takshakaanxious with fear, hid himself in the upper garment of Indra and was notvisible. Then the king in his anger again said unto his mantra-knowingBrahmanas these words, bent upon the destruction of Takshaka, 'If thesnake Takshaka be in the abode of Indra, cast him into the fire withIndra himself.'
'Sauti continued, 'Urged thus by the king Janamejaya about Takshaka, theHotri poured libations, naming that snake then staying there. And even asthe libations were poured, Takshaka, with Purandara himself, anxious andafflicted, became visible in a moment in the skies. Then Purandara,seeing that sacrifice, became much alarmed, and quickly casting Takshakaoff, went back to his own abode. After Indra had gone away, Takshaka, theprince of snakes, insensible with fear, was by virtue of the mantras,brought near enough the flames of the sacrificial fire.'
"The Ritwiks then said, 'O king of kings, the sacrifice of thine is beingperformed duly. It behoveth thee, O Lord, to grant a boon now to thisfirst of Brahmanas.'
"Janamejaya then said, 'Thou immeasurable one of such handsome andchild-like features, I desire to grant thee a worthy boon. Therefore, askthou that which thou desirest in thy heart. I promise thee, that I willgrant it even if it be ungrantable.'
'The Ritwiks said, 'O monarch, behold, Takshaka is soon coming under thycontrol! His terrible cries, and loud roar is being heard. Assuredly, thesnake hath been forsaken by the wielder of thunder. His body beingdisabled by your mantras, he is falling from heaven. Even now, rolling inthe skies, and deprived of consciousness, the prince of snakes cometh,breathing loudly.'
'Sauti continued, 'While Takshaka, the prince of snakes was about to fallinto the sacrificial fire, during those few moments Astika spoke asfollows, 'O Janamejaya, if thou wouldst grant me a boon, let thissacrifice of thine come to an end and let no more snakes fall into thefire.'
'O Brahmana, the son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika, becameexceedingly sorry and replied unto Astika thus, 'O illustrious one, gold,silver, kine, whatever other possessions thou desirest I shall give untothee. But let not my sacrifice come to an end.'
"Astika thereupon replied, 'Gold, silver or kine, I do not ask of thee, Omonarch! But let thy sacrifice be ended so that my maternal relations berelieved.'
"Sauti continued, 'The son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika,repeatedly said this unto that foremost of speakers, 'Best of theBrahmanas, ask some other boon. O, blessed be thou!' But, O thou ofBhrigu's race, he did not beg any other boon. Then all the Sadasyasconversant with the Vedas told the king in one voice, 'Let the Brahmanareceive his boon!'"
SECTION LVII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'O son of a Suta, I desire to hear the names of all thosesnakes that fell into the fire of this snake-sacrifice!'
"Sauti replied, 'Many thousands and tens of thousands and billions ofsnakes fell into the fire. O most excellent Brahmana, so great is thenumber that I am unable to count them all. So far, however, as Iremember, hear the names I mention of the principal snakes cast into thefire. Hear first the names of the principal ones of Vasuki's race alone,of colour blue, red and white of terrible form and huge body and deadlypoison. Helpless and miserable and afflicted with their mother's curse,they fell into the sacrificial fire like libations of butter.
"Kotisa, Manasa, Purna, Cala, Pala Halmaka, Pichchala, Kaunapa, Cakra,Kalavega, Prakalana, Hiranyavahu, Carana, Kakshaka, Kaladantaka--thesesnakes born of Vasuki, fell into the fire. And, O Brahmana, numerousother snakes well-born, and of terrible form and great strength, wereburnt in the blazing fire. I shall now mention those born in the race ofTakshaka. Hear thou their names. Puchchandaka, Mandalaka, Pindasektri,Ravenaka; Uchochikha, Carava, Bhangas, Vilwatejas, Virohana; Sili,Salakara, Muka, Sukumara, Pravepana, Mudgara and Sisuroman, Suroman andMahahanu. These snakes born of Takshaka fell into the fire. And Paravata,Parijata, Pandara, Harina, Krisa, Vihanga, Sarabha, Meda, Pramoda,Sauhatapana--these born in the race of Airavata fell into the fire. Nowhear, O best of Brahmanas, the names of the snakes I mention born in therace of Kauravya: Eraka, Kundala Veni, Veniskandha, Kumaraka, Vahuka,Sringavera, Dhurtaka, Pratara and Astaka. There born in the race ofKauravya fell into the fire. Now hear the names I mention, in order, ofthose snakes endued with the speed of the wind and with virulent poison,born in the race of Dhritarashtra: Sankukarna, Pitharaka, Kuthara,Sukhana, and Shechaka; Purnangada, Purnamukha, Prahasa, Sakuni, Dari,Amahatha, Kumathaka, Sushena, Vyaya, Bhairava, Mundavedanga, Pisanga,Udraparaka, Rishabha, Vegavat, Pindaraka; Raktanga, Sarvasaranga,Samriddha, Patha and Vasaka; Varahaka, Viranaka, Suchitra, Chitravegika,Parasara, Tarunaka, Maniskandha and Aruni.
"O Brahmana, thus I have recited the names of the principal snakes knownwidely for their achievements--I have not been able to name all, thenumber being countless. The sons of these snakes, the sons of those sons,that were burnt having fallen into the fire, I am unable to mention. Theyare so many! Some of three heads, some of seven, others of ten, of poisonlike unto the fire at the end of the yuga and terrible in form,--theywere burnt by thousands!
"Many others, of huge bodies, of great speed, tall as mountain summits,of the length of a yama, of a yojana, and of two yojanas, capable ofassuming at will any form and of mastering at will any degree ofstrength, of poison like unto blazing fire, afflicted by the curse of amother, were burnt in that great 'sacrifice.'"
SECTION LVIII
(Astika Parva, continued)
"Sauti said, 'Listen now to another very wonderful incident in connectionwith Astika. When king Janamejaya was about to gratify Astika by grantingthe boon, the snake (Takshaka), thrown off Indra's hands, remained in midair without actually falling. King Janamejaya thereupon became curious,for Takshaka, afflicted with fear, did not at once fall into the firealthough libations were poured in proper form into the blazingsacrificial Agni in his name.'
"Saunaka said, 'Was it, O Suta, that the mantras of those wise Brahmanaswere not potent; since Takshaka did not fall into the fire?'
"Sauti replied, 'Unto the unconscious Takshaka, that best of snakes,after he had been cast off Indra's hands, Astika had thrice said, 'Stay,''Stay,' 'Stay.' And he succeeded in staying in the skies, with afflictedheart, like a person somehow staying between the welkin and the earth.
"The king then, on being repeatedly urged by his Sadasyas, said, 'Let itbe done as Astika hath said. Let the sacrifice be ended, let the snakesbe safe, let this Astika also be gratified, O Suta, thy words also betrue.' When the boon was granted to Astika, plaudits expressive of joyrang through the air. Thus the sacrifice of the son of Parikshit--thatking of the Pandava race--came to an end. The king Janamejaya of theBharata race was himself pleased, and on the Ritwiks with the Sadasyas,and on all who had come there, the king, bestowed money by hundreds andthousands. And unto Suta Lohitaksha--conversant with the rules ofbuilding and foundations--who had at the commencement said that aBrahmana would be the cause of the interruption of the snake-sacrifice,the king gave much wealth. The king, of uncommon kindness, also gave himvarious things, with food and wearing apparel, according to his desire,and became very much pleased. Then he concluded his sacrifice accordingto the prescribed rites, and after treating him with every respect, theking in joy sent home the wise Astika exceedingly gratified, for he hadattained his object. And the king said unto him, 'Thou must come again tobecome a Sadasya in my great Horse-sacrifice.' And Astika said, 'yes' andthen returned home in great joy, having achieved his great end aftergratifying the monarch. And returning in joy to his uncle and mother andtouching their feet, he recounted to them everything as it had happened.'
"Sauti continued, 'Hearing all he had said, the snakes that had comethither became very much delighted, and their fears were allayed. Theywere much pleased with Astika and asked him to solicit a boon, saying, 'Olearned one, what good shall we do unto thee? We have been very muchgratified, having been all saved by thee. What shall we accomplish forthee, O child!'
"Astika said, 'Let those Brahmanas, and other men, who shall, in themorning or in the evening, cheerfully and with attention, read the sacredaccount of this my act, have no fear from any of you.' And the snakes injoy thereupon said, 'O nephew, in the nature of thy boon, let it beexactly as thou sayest. That which thou askest we all shall cheerfullydo, O nephew! And those also that call to mind Astika, Artiman andSunitha, in the day or in the night, shall have no fear of snakes. Heagain shall have no fear of snakes who will say, 'I call to mind thefamous Astika born of Jaratkaru, that Astika who saved the snakes fromthe snake-sacrifice. Therefore, ye snakes of great good fortune, itbehoveth you not to bite me. But go ye away, blessed be ye, or go awaythou snake of virulent poison, and remember the words of Astika after thesnake sacrifice of Janamejaya. That snake who does not cease from bitingafter hearing such mention of Astika, shall have his hood divided ahundredfold like the fruit of Sinsa tree.'
"Sauti continued, 'That first of Brahmanas, thus addressed by theforemost of the chief snakes assembled together, was very much gratified.And the high-souled one then set his heart upon going away.
"And that best of Brahmanas, having saved the snakes from thesnake-sacrifice, ascended to heaven when his time came, leaving sons andgrandsons behind him.
'Thus have I recited to thee this history of Astika exactly as ithappened. Indeed, the recitation of this history dispelleth all fear ofsnakes'
'Sauti continued, 'O Brahmanas, O foremost one of Bhrigu's race, as thyancestor Pramati had cheerfully narrated unto his inquiring son Ruru, andas I had heard it, thus have I recited this blessed history, from thebeginning, of the learned Astika. And, O Brahmana, O oppressor of allenemies, having heard this holy history of Astika that increaseth virtue,and which thou hadst asked me about after hearing the story of theDundubha, let thy ardent curiosity be satisfied.'"
SECTION LIX
(Adivansavatarana Parva)
"Saunaka said, 'O son, thou hast narrated to me this extensive and greathistory commencing from the progeny of Bhrigu. O son of Suta, I have beenmuch gratified with thee. I ask thee again, to recite to me, O son of aSuta, the history composed by Vyasa. The varied and wonderful narrationsthat were recited amongst those illustrious Sadasyas assembled at thesacrifice, in the intervals of their duties of that long-extendingceremony, and the objects also of those narrations, I desire to hear fromthee, O son of a Suta! Recite therefore, all those to me fully.'
'Sauti said, 'The Brahmanas, in the intervals of the duties, spoke ofmany things founded upon the Vedas. But Vyasa recited the wonderful andgreat history called the Bharata.'
"Saunaka said, 'That sacred history called the Mahabharata, spreading thefame of the Pandavas, which Krishna-Dwaipayana, asked by Janamejaya,caused to be duly recited after the completion of the sacrifice. I desireto hear duly. That history hath been born of the ocean-like mind of thegreat Rishi of soul purified by yoga. Thou foremost of good men, reciteit unto me, for, O son of a Suta, my thirst hath not been appeased by allthou hast said.'
'Sauti said, 'I shall recite to thee from the beginning of that great andexcellent history called the Mahabharata composed by Vyasa. O Brahmana,listen to it in full, as I recite it. I myself feel a great pleasure inreciting it.'"
SECTION LX
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
'Sauti said, 'Hearing that Janamejaya was installed in thesnake-sacrifice, the learned Rishi Krishna-Dwaipayana went thither on theoccasion. And he, the grand-father of the Pandavas, was born in an islandof the Yamuna, of the virgin Kali by Sakti's son, Parasara. And theillustrious one developed by his will alone his body as soon as he wasborn, and mastered the Vedas with their branches, and all the histories.And he readily obtained that which no one could obtain by asceticism, bythe study of the Vedas, by vows, by fasts, by progeny, and by sacrifice.And the first of Veda-knowing ones, he divided the Vedas into four parts.And the Brahmana Rishi had knowledge of the supreme Brahma, knew the pastby intuition, was holy, and cherished truth. Of sacred deeds and greatfame, he begot Pandu and Dhritarashtra and Vidura in order to continuethe line of Santanu.
"And the high-souled Rishi, with his disciples all conversant with theVedas and their branches, entered the sacrificial pavilion of the royalsage, Janamejaya. And he saw that the king Janamejaya was seated in thesacrificial region like the god Indra, surrounded by numerous Sadasyas,by kings of various countries whose coronal locks had undergone thesacred bath, and by competent Ritwiks like unto Brahman himself. And thatforemost one of Bharata's race, the royal sage Janamejaya, beholding theRishi come, advanced quickly with his followers and relatives in greatjoy. And the king with the approval of his Sadasyas, gave the Rishi agolden seat as Indra did to Vrihaspati. And when the Rishi, capable ofgranting boons and adored by the celestial Rishis themselves, had beenseated, the king of kings worshipped him according to the rites of thescriptures. And the king then offered him--his grandfather Krishna--whofully deserved them, water to wash his feet and mouth, and the Arghya,and kine. And accepting those offerings from the Pandava Janamejaya andordering the kine also not to be slain, Vyasa became much gratified. Andthe king, after those adorations bowed to his great-grandfather, andsitting in joy asked him about his welfare. And the illustrious Rishialso, casting his eyes upon him and asking him about his welfare,worshipped the Sadasyas, having been before worshipped by them all. Andafter all this, Janamejaya with all his Sadasyas, questioned that firstof Brahmanas, with joined palms as follows:
'O Brahmana, thou hast seen with thy own eyes the acts of the Kurus andthe Pandavas. I am desirous of hearing thee recite their history. Whatwas the cause of the disunion amongst them that was fruitful of suchextraordinary deeds? Why also did that great battle, which caused thedeath of countless creatures occur between all my grandfathers--theirclear sense over-clouded by fate? O excellent Brahmana, tell me all thisin full as everything had happened.'
"Hearing those words of Janamejaya, Krishna-Dwaipayana directed hisdisciple Vaisampayana seated by his side, saying, 'The discord thathappened between the Kurus and the Pandavas of old, narrate all to theking even as thou hast heard from me.'
"Then that blessed Brahmana, at the command of his preceptor recited thewhole of that history unto the king, the Sadasyas, and all the chieftainsthere assembled. And he told them all about the hostility and the utterextinction of the Kurus and the Pandavas.'"
SECTION LXI
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Bowing down in the first place to my preceptor withthe eight parts of my body touching the ground, with devotion andreverence, and with all my heart, worshipping the whole assembly ofBrahmanas and other learned persons, I shall recite in full what I haveheard from the high-souled and great Rishi Vyasa, the first ofintelligent men in the three worlds. And having got it within thy reach,O monarch, thou also art a fit person to hear the composition calledBharata. Encouraged by the command of my preceptor my heart feeleth nofear.
"Hear, O monarch, why that disunion occurred between the Kurus and thePandavas, and why also that exile into the woods immediately proceedingfrom the game at dice prompted by the desire (of the Kurus) for rule. Ishall relate all to thee who askest it thou best of the Bharata race!
"On the death of their father those heroes (the Pandavas) came to theirown home. And within a short time they became well-versed in archery. Andthe Kurus beholding the Pandavas gifted with physical strength, energy,and power of mind, popular also with the citizens, and blessed with goodfortune, became very jealous. Then the crookedminded Duryodhana, andKarna, with (the former's uncle) the son of Suvala began to persecutethem and devise means for their exile. Then the wicked Duryodhana, guidedby the counsels of Sakuni (his maternal uncle), persecuted the Pandavasin various ways for the acquirement of undisputed sovereignty. The wickedson of Dhritarashtra gave poison to Bhima, but Bhima of the stomach ofthe wolf digested the poison with the food. Then the wretch again tiedthe sleeping Bhima on the margin of the Ganges and, casting him into thewater, went away. But when Bhimasena of strong arms, the son of Kuntiwoke, he tore the strings with which he had been tied and came up, hispains all gone. And while asleep and in the water black snakes ofvirulent poison bit him in every part of his body. But that slayer offoes did not still perish. And in all those persecutions of the Pandavasby their cousins, the Kurus, the high-minded Vidura attentively engagedhimself neutralising those evil designs and rescuing the persecuted ones.And as Sakra from the heavens keeps in happiness the world of men, so didVidura always keep the Pandavas from evil.
"When Duryodhana, with various means, both secret and open, found himselfincapable of destroying the Pandavas who were protected by the fates andkept alive for grave future purposes (such as the extermination of theKuru race), then called together his counsellors consisting of Vrisha(Karna), Duhsasana and others, and with the knowledge of Dhritarashtracaused a house of lac to be constructed. And king Dhritarashtra, fromaffection for his children, and prompted by the desire of sovereignty,sent the Pandavas tactfully into Varanavata. And the Pandavas then wentaway with their mother from Hastinapura. And when they were leaving thecity, Vidura gave them some idea of impending danger and how they couldcome out of it.
'The sons of Kunti reached the town of Varanavata and lived there withtheir mother. And, agreeably to the command of Dhritarashtra, thoseillustrious slayers of all enemies lived in the palace of lac, while inthat town. And they lived in that place for one year, protectingthemselves from Purochana very wakefully. And causing a subterraneanpassage to be constructed, acting according to the directions of Vidura,they set fire to that house of lac and burnt Purochana (their enemy andthe spy of Duryodhana) to death. Those slayers of all enemies, anxiouswith fear, then fled with their mother. In the woods beside a fountainthey saw a Rakshasa. But, alarmed at the risk they ran of exposure bysuch an act the Pandavas fled in the darkness, out of fear from the sonsof Dhritarashtra. It was here that Bhima gained Hidimva (the sister ofthe Rakshasa he slew) for a wife, and it was of her that Ghatotkacha wasborn. Then the Pandavas, of rigid vows, and conversant with the Vedaswended to a town of the name of Ekachakra and dwelt there in the guise ofBrahmacharins. And those bulls among men dwelt in that town in the houseof a Brahmana for some time, with temperance and abstinence. And it washere that Bhima of mighty arms came upon a hungry and mighty andman-eating Rakshasa of the name of Vaka. And Bhima, the son of Pandu,that tiger among men, slew him speedily with the strength of his arms andmade the citizens safe and free from fear. Then they heard of Krishna(the princess of Panchala) having become disposed to select a husbandfrom among the assembled princes. And, hearing of it, they went toPanchala, and there they obtained the maiden. And having obtainedDraupadi (as their common wife) they then dwelt there for a year. Andafter they became known, those chastisers of all enemies went back toHastinapura. And they were then told by king Dhritarashtra and the son ofSantanu (Bhishma) as follows: 'In order, O dear ones, dissensions may nottake place between you and your cousins, we have settled thatKhandavaprastha should be your abode. Therefore, go ye, casting off alljealousy, to Khandavaprastha which contains many towns served by manybroad roads, for dwelling there.' And accordingly the Pandavas went, withall their friends and followers, to Khandavaprastha taking with them manyjewels and precious stones. And the sons of Pritha dwelt there for manyyears. And they brought, by force of arms, many a prince under theirsubjection. And thus, setting their hearts on virtue and firmly adheringto truth, unruffled by affluence, calm in deportment, and putting downnumerous evils, the Pandavas gradually rose to power. And Bhima of greatreputation subjugated the East, the heroic Arjuna, the North, Nakula, theWest; Sahadeva that slayer of all hostile heroes, the South. And thishaving been done, their domination was spread over the whole world. Andwith the five Pandavas, each like unto the Sun, the Earth looked as ifshe had six Suns.
"Then, for some reason, Yudhishthira the just, gifted with great energyand prowess, sent his brother Arjuna who was capable of drawing the bowwith the left hand, dearer unto him than life itself, into the woods. AndArjuna, that tiger among men, of firm soul, and gifted with every virtue,lived in the woods for eleven years and months. And during this period,on a certain occasion, Arjuna went to Krishna in Dwaravati. And Vibhatsu(Arjuna) there obtained for a wife the lotus-eyed and sweet-speechedyounger sister of Vasudeva, Subhadra by name. And she became united, ingladness, with Arjuna, the son of Pandu, like Sachi with the great Indra,or Sri with Krishna himself. And then, O best of monarchs, Arjuna, theson of Kunti, with Vasudeva, gratified Agni; the carrier of thesacrificial butter, in the forest of Khandava (by burning the medicinalplants in that woods to cure Agni of his indigestion). And to Arjuna,assisted as he was by Kesava, the task did not at all appear heavy evenas nothing is heavy to Vishnu with immense design and resources in thematter of destroying his enemies. And Agni gave unto the son of Prithathe excellent bow Gandiva and a quiver that was inexhaustible, and awar-chariot bearing the figure of Garuda on its standard. And it was onthis occasion that Arjuna relieved the great Asura (Maya) from fear (ofbeing consumed in the fire). And Maya, in gratitude, built (for thePandavas) a celestial palace decked with every sort of jewels andprecious stones. And the wicked Duryodhana, beholding that building, wastempted with the desire of possessing it. And deceiving Yudhishthira bymeans of the dice played through the hands of the son of Suvala,Duryodhana sent the Pandavas into the woods for twelve years and oneadditional year to be passed in concealment, thus making the period fullthirteen.
"And the fourteenth year, O monarch, when the Pandavas returned andclaimed their property, they did not obtain it. And thereupon war wasdeclared, and the Pandavas, after exterminating the whole race ofKshatriyas and slaying king Duryodhana, obtained back their devastatedkingdom.
"This is the history of the Pandavas who never acted under the influenceof evil passions; and this the account, O first of victorious monarchs ofthe disunion that ended in the loss of their kingdom by the Kurus and thevictory of the Pandavas.'"
SECTION LXII
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
"Janamejaya said, 'O excellent Brahmana, thou hast, indeed, told me, inbrief, the history, called Mahabharata, of the great acts of the Kurus.But, O thou of ascetic wealth, recite now that wonderful narration fully.I feel a great curiosity to hear it. It behoveth thee to recite it,therefore, in full. I am not satisfied with hearing in a nutshell thegreat history. That could never have been a trifling cause for which thevirtuous ones could slay those whom they should not have slain, and forwhich they are yet applauded by men. Why also did those tigers among men,innocent and capable of avenging themselves upon their enemies, calmlysuffer the persecution of the wicked Kurus? Why also, O best ofBrahmanas, did Bhima of mighty arms and of the strength of ten thousandelephants, control his anger, though wronged? Why also did the chasteKrishna, the daughter of Drupada, wronged by those wretches and able toburn them, not burn the sons of Dhritarashtra with her wrathful eyes? Whyalso did the two other sons of Pritha (Bhima and Arjuna) and the two sonsof Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva), themselves injured by the wretched Kurus,follow Yudhishthira who was greatly addicted to the evil habit ofgambling? Why also did Yudhishthira, that foremost of all virtuous men,the son of Dharma himself, fully acquainted with all duties, suffer thatexcess of affliction? Why also did the Pandava Dhananjaya, having Krishnafor his charioteer, who by his arrows sent to the other world thatdauntless host of fighting men (suffer such persecution)? O thou ofascetic wealth, speak to me of all these as they took place, andeverything that those mighty charioteers achieved.'
"Vaisampayana said, 'O monarch, appoint thou a time for hearing it. Thishistory told by Krishna-Dwaipayana is very extensive. This is but thebeginning. I shall recite it. I shall repeat the whole of the compositionin full, of the illustrious and great Rishi Vyasa of immeasurable mentalpower, and worshipped in all the worlds. This Bharata consists of ahundred thousand sacred slokas composed by the son of Satyavati, ofimmeasurable mental power. He that reads it to others, and they that hearit read, attain to the world of Brahman and become equal to the verygods. This Bharata is equal unto the Vedas, is holy and excellent; is theworthiest of all to be listened to, and is a Purana worshipped by theRishis. It contains much useful instruction on Artha and Kama (profit andpleasure). This sacred history maketh the heart desire for salvation.Learned persons by reciting this Veda of Krishna-Dwaipayana to those thatare liberal, truthful and believing, earn much wealth. Sins, such askilling the embryo in the womb, are destroyed assuredly by this. Aperson, however cruel and sinful, by hearing this history, escapes fromall his sins like the Sun from Rahu (after the eclipse is over). Thishistory is called Jaya. It should be heard by those desirous of victory.A king by hearing it may bring the whole world under subjection andconquer all his foes. This history in itself is a mighty act ofpropitiation, a mighty sacrifice productive of blessed fruit. It shouldalways be heard by a young monarch with his queen, for then they beget aheroic son or a daughter to occupy a throne. This history is the high andsacred science of Dharma, Artha, and also of Moksha; it hath been so saidby Vyasa himself of mind that is immeasurable. This history is recited inthe present age and will be recited in the future. They that hear it,read, have sons and servants always obedient to them and doing theirbehests. All sins that are committed by body, word, or mind, immediatelyleave them that hear this history. They who hear, without the spirit offault finding, the story of the birth of the Bharata princes, can have nofear of maladies, let alone the fear of the other world.
"For extending the fame of the high-souled Pandavas and of otherKshatriyas versed in all branches of knowledge, high spirited, andalready known in the world for their achievements, Krishna-Dwaipayana,guided also by the desire of doing good to the world, hath composed thiswork. It is excellent, productive of fame, grants length of life, issacred and heavenly. He who, from desire of acquiring religious merit,causeth this history to be heard by sacred Brahmanas, acquireth greatmerit and virtue that is inexhaustible. He that reciteth the famousgeneration of the Kurus becometh immediately purified and acquireth alarge family himself, and becometh respected in the world. That Brahmanawho regularly studies this sacred Bharata for the four months of therainy season, is cleansed from all his sins. He that has read the Bharatamay be regarded as one acquainted with the Vedas.
"This work presents an account of the gods and royal sages and sacredregenerate Rishis, the sinless Kesava; the god of gods, Mahadeva and thegoddess Parvati; the birth of Kartikeya who sprang from union of Parvatiwith Mahadeva and was reared by many mothers; the greatness of Brahmanasand of kine. This Bharata is a collection of all the Srutis, and is fitto be heard by every virtuous person. That learned man who reciteth it toBrahmanas during the sacred lunations, becometh cleansed of all sins,and, not caring for heaven as it were, attaineth to a union with Brahma.He that causeth even a single foot of this poem to be heard by Brahmanasduring the performance of a Sraddha, maketh that Sraddha inexhaustible,the Pitris becoming ever gratified with the articles once presented tothem. The sins that are committed daily by our senses or the mind, thosethat are committed knowingly or unknowingly by any man, are all destroyedby hearing the Mahabharata. The history of the exalted birth of theBharata princes is called the Mahabharata. He who knoweth this etymologyof the name is cleansed of all his sins. And as this history of theBharata race is so wonderful, that, when recited, it assuredly purifiethmortals from all sins. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana completed his work inthree years. Rising daily and purifying himself and performing hisascetic devotions, he composed this Mahabharata. Therefore, this shouldbe heard by Brahmanas with the formality of a vow. He who reciteth thisholy narration composed by Krishna (Vyasa) for the hearing of others, andthey who hear it, in whatever state he or they may be, can never beaffected by the fruit of deeds, good or bad. The man desirous ofacquiring virtue should hear it all. This is equivalent to all histories,and he that heareth it always attaineth to purity of heart. Thegratification that one deriveth from attaining to heaven is scarcelyequal to that which one deriveth from hearing this holy history. Thevirtuous man who with reverence heareth it or causeth it to be heard,obtaineth the fruit of the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice. The Bharatais said to be as much a mine of gems as the vast Ocean or the greatmountain Meru. This history is sacred and excellent, and is equivalent tothe Vedas, worthy of being heard, pleasing to the ear, sin-cleansing, andvirtue-increasing. O monarch, he that giveth a copy of the Bharata to onethat asketh for it doth indeed make a present of the whole earth with herbelt of seas. O son of Parikshit, this pleasant narration that givethvirtue and victory I am about to recite in its entirety: listen to it.The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana regularly rising for three years, composedthis wonderful history called Mahabharata. O bull amongst the Bharatamonarchs, whatever is spoken about virtue, wealth, pleasure, andsalvation may be seen elsewhere; but whatever is not contained in this isnot to be found anywhere.'"
SECTION LXIII
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a king of the name of Uparichara. Thatmonarch was devoted to virtue. He was very much addicted also to hunting.That king of the Paurava race, called also Vasu, conquered the excellentand delightful kingdom of Chedi under instructions from Indra. Some timeafter, the king gave up the use of arms and, dwelling in a secludedretreat, practised the most severe austerities. The gods with Indra attheir head once approached the monarch during this period, believing thathe sought the headship of the gods, by those severe austerities of his.The celestials, becoming objects of his sight, by soft speeches succeededin winning him away from his ascetic austerities.'
"The gods said, 'O lord of the earth, thou shouldst take care so thatvirtue may not sustain a diminution on earth! Protected by thee, virtueitself will in return protect the universe.' And Indra said, 'O king,protect virtue on earth attentively and rigidly. Being virtuous, thoushalt, for all time, behold (in after life) many sacred regions. Andthough I am of Heaven, and thou art of earth, yet art thou my friend anddear to me. And, O king of men, dwell thou in that region on earth whichis delightful, and aboundeth in animals, is sacred, full of wealth andcorn, is well-protected like heaven, which is of agreeable climate,graced with every object of enjoyment, and blessed with fertility. And, Omonarch of Chedi, this thy dominion is full of riches, of gems andprecious stones, and containeth, besides, much mineral wealth. The citiesand towns of this region are all devoted to virtue; the people are honestand contented; they never lie even in jest. Sons never divide theirwealth with their fathers and are ever mindful of the welfare of theirparents. Lean cattle are never yoked to the plough or the cart or engagedin carrying merchandise; on the other hand, they are well-fed andfattened. In Chedi the four orders are always engaged in their respectivevocations. Let nothing be unknown to thee that happens in the threeworlds. I shall give thee a crystal car such as the celestials alone arecapable of carrying the car through mid air. Thou alone, of all mortalson earth, riding on that best of cars, shall course through mid-air likea celestial endued with a physical frame. I shall also give thee atriumphal garland of unfading lotuses, with which on, in battle, thoushall not be wounded by weapons. And, O king, this blessed andincomparable garland, widely known on earth as Indra's garland, shall bethy distinctive badge.
"The slayer of Vritra (Indra) also gave the king, for his gratification,a bamboo pole for protecting the honest and the peaceful. After theexpiry of a year, the king planted it in the ground for the purpose ofworshipping the giver thereof, viz., Sakra. From that time forth, Omonarch, all kings, following Vasu's example, began to plant a pole forthe celebration of Indra's worship. After erecting the pole they deckedit with golden cloth and scents and garlands and various ornaments. Andthe god Vasava is worshipped in due form with such garlands andornaments. And the god, for the gratification of the illustrious Vasu,assuming the form of a swan, came himself to accept the worship thusoffered. And the god, beholding the auspicious worship thus made by Vasu,that first of monarchs, was delighted, and said unto him, 'Those men, andkings also, who will worship me and joyously observe this festival ofmine like the king of Chedi, shall have glory and victory for theircountries and kingdom. Their cities also shall expand and be ever injoy.'
"King Vasu was thus blessed by the gratified Maghavat, the high-souledchief of the gods. Indeed, those men who cause this festivity of Sakra tobe observed with gifts of land, of gems and precious stones, become therespected of the world. And king Vasu, the lord of Chedis bestowing boonsand performing great sacrifices and observing the festivity of Sakra, wasmuch respected by Indra. And from Chedi he ruled the whole worldvirtuously. And for the gratification of Indra, Vasu, the lord of theChedis, observed the festivity of Indra.
"And Vasu had five sons of great energy and immeasurable prowess. And theemperor installed his sons as governors of various provinces.
"And his son Vrihadratha was installed in Magadha and was known by thename of Maharatha. Another son of his was Pratyagraha; and another,Kusamva, who was also called Manivahana. And the two others were Mavella,and Yadu of great prowess and invincible in battle.
"These, O monarch, were the sons of that royal sage of mighty energy. Andthe five sons of Vasu planted kingdoms and towns after their own namesand founded separate dynasties that lasted for long ages.
"And when king Vasu took his seat in that crystal car, with the gift ofIndra, and coursed through the sky, he was approached by Gandharvas andApsaras (the celestial singers and dancers). And as he coursed throughthe upper regions, he was called Uparichara. And by his capital flowed ariver called Suktimati. And that river was once attacked by a life-enduedmountain called Kolahala maddened by lust. And Vasu, beholding the foulattempt, struck the mountain with his foot. And by the indentation causedby Vasu's stamp, the river came out (of the embraces of Kolahala). Butthe mountain begat on the river two children that were twins. And theriver, grateful to Vasu for his having set her free from Kolahala'sembraces, gave them both to Vasu. And the son was made the generalissimoto his forces by Vasu, that best of royal sages and giver of wealth andpunisher of enemies. And the daughter called Girika, was wedded by Vasu.
'And Girika, the wife of Vasu, after her menstrual course, purifyingherself by a bath, represented her state unto her lord. But that very daythe Pitris of Vasu came unto that best of monarchs and foremost of wisemen, and asked him to slay deer (for their Sraddha). And the king,thinking that the command of the Pitris should not be disobeyed, wenta-hunting thinking of Girika alone who was gifted with great beauty andlike unto another Sri herself. And the season being the spring, the woodswithin which the king was roaming, had become delightful like unto thegardens of the king of the Gandharvas himself. There were Asokas andChampakas and Chutas and Atimuktas in abundance: and there were Punnagasand Karnikaras and Vakulas and Divya Patalas and Patalas and Narikelasand Chandanas and Arjunas and similar other beautiful and sacred treesresplendent with fragrant flowers and sweet fruits. And the whole forestwas maddened by the sweet notes of the kokila and echoed with the hum ofmaddened bees. And the king became possessed with desire, and he saw nothis wife before him. Maddened by desire he was roaming hither andthither, when he saw a beautiful Asoka decked with dense foliage, itsbranches covered with flowers. And the king sat at his ease in the shadeof that tree. And excited by the fragrance of the season and the charmingodours of the flowers around, and excited also by the delicious breeze,the king could not keep his mind away from the thought of the beautifulGirika. And beholding that a swift hawk was resting very near to him, theking, acquainted with the subtle truths of Dharma and Artha, went untohim and said, 'Amiable one, carry thou this seed (semen) for my wifeGirika and give it unto her. Her season hath arrived.'
"The hawk, swift of speed, took it from the king and rapidly coursedthrough the air. While thus passing, the hawk was seen by another of hisspecies. Thinking that the first one was carrying meat, the second oneflew at him. The two fought with each other in the sky with their beaks.While they were fighting, the seed fell into the waters of the Yamuna.And in those waters dwelt an Apsara of the higher rank, known by the nameof Adrika, transformed by a Brahmana's curse into a fish. As soon asVasu's seed fell into the water from the claws of the hawk, Adrikarapidly approached and swallowed it at once. That fish was, some timeafter, caught by the fishermen. And it was the tenth month of the fish'shaving swallowed the seed. From the stomach of that fish came out a maleand a female child of human form. The fishermen wondered much, andwending unto king Uparichara (for they were his subjects) told him all.They said, 'O king, these two beings of human shape have been found inthe body of a fish!' The male child amongst the two was taken byUparichara. That child afterwards became the virtuous and truthfulmonarch Matsya.
"After the birth of the twins, the Apsara herself became freed from hercurse. For she had been told before by the illustrious one (who hadcursed her) that she would, while living in her piscatorial form, givebirth to two children of human shape and then would be freed from thecurse. Then, according to these words, having given birth to the twochildren, and been killed by the fishermen, she left her fish-form andassumed her own celestial shape. The Apsara then rose up on the pathtrodden by the Siddhas, the Rishis and the Charanas.
"The fish-smelling daughter of the Apsara in her piscatorial form wasthen given by the king unto the fishermen, saying, 'Let this one be thydaughter.' That girl was known by the name of Satyavati. And gifted withgreat beauty and possessed of every virtue, she of agreeable smiles,owing to contact with fishermen, was for some time of the fishy smell.Wishing to serve her (foster) father she plied a boat on the waters ofthe Yamuna.
"While engaged in this vocation, Satyavati was seen one day by the greatRishi Parasara, in course of his wanderings. As she was gifted with greatbeauty, an object of desire even with an anchorite, and of gracefulsmiles, the wise sage, as soon as he beheld her, desired to have her. Andthat bull amongst Munis addressed the daughter of Vasu of celestialbeauty and tapering thighs, saying, 'Accept my embraces, O blessed one!'Satyavati replied, 'O holy one, behold the Rishis standing on either bankof the river. Seen by them, how can I grant thy wish?'
"Thus addressed by her, the ascetic thereupon created a fog (whichexisted not before and) which enveloped the whole region in darkness. Andthe maiden, beholding the fog that was created by the great Rishiwondered much. And the helpless one became suffused with the blushes ofbashfulness. And she said, 'O holy one, note that I am a maiden under thecontrol of my father. O sinless one, by accepting your embraces myvirginity will be sullied. O best of Brahmanas, my virginity beingsullied, how shall I, O Rishi, be able to return home? Indeed, I shallnot then be able to bear life. Reflecting upon all this, O illustriousone, do that which should be done.' That best of Rishis, gratified withall she said, replied, "Thou shall remain a virgin even if thou grantestmy wish. And, O timid one, O beauteous lady, solicit the boon that thoudesirest. O thou of fair smiles, my grace hath never before provedfruitless.' Thus addressed, the maiden asked for the boon that her bodymight emit a sweet scent (instead of the fish-odour that it had). And theillustrious Rishi thereupon granted that wish of her heart.
"Having obtained her boon, she became highly pleased, and her seasonimmediately came. And she accepted the embraces of that Rishi ofwonderful deeds. And she thenceforth became known among men by the nameof Gandhavati (the sweet-scented one). And men could perceive her scentfrom the distance of a yojana. And for this she was known by another namewhich was Yojanagandha (one who scatters her scent for a yojana allaround). And the illustrious Parasara, after this, went to his own asylum.
"And Satyavati gratified with having obtained the excellent boon inconsequence of which she became sweet-scented and her virginity remainedunsullied conceived through Parasara's embraces. And she brought forththe very day, on an island in the Yamuna, the child begot upon her byParasara and gifted with great energy. And the child, with the permissionof his mother, set his mind on asceticism. And he went away saying, 'Assoon as thou rememberest me when occasion comes, I shall appear untothee.'
"And it was thus that Vyasa was born of Satyavati through Parasara. Andbecause he was born in an island, he was called Dwaipayana (Dwaipa orislandborn). And the learned Dwaipayana, beholding that virtue isdestined to become lame by one leg each yuga (she having four legs inall) and that the period of life and the strength of men followed theyugas, and moved by the desire of obtaining the favour of Brahman and theBrahmanas, arranged the Vedas. And for this he came to be called Vyasa(the arranger or compiler). The boon-giving great one then taughtSumanta, Jaimini, Paila, his son Suka, and Vaisampayana, the Vedas havingthe Mahabharata for their fifth. And the compilation of the Bharata waspublished by him through them separately.
"Then Bhishma, of great energy and fame and of immeasurable splendour,and sprung from the component parts of the Vasus, was born in the womb ofGanga through king Santanu. And there was a Rishi of the name ofAnimandavya of great fame. And he was conversant with the interpretationsof the Vedas, was illustrious, gifted with great energy, and of greatreputation. And, accused of theft, though innocent, the old Rishi wasimpaled. He thereupon summoned Dharma and told him these words, 'In mychildhood I had pierced a little fly on a blade of grass, O Dharma! Irecollect that one sin: but I cannot call to mind any other. I have,however, since practised penances a thousandfold. Hath not that one sinbeen conquered by this my asceticism? And because the killing of aBrahmana is more heinous than that of any other living thing, therefore,hast thou, O Dharma, been sinful. Thou shalt, therefore, be born on earthin the Sudra order.' And for that curse Dharma was born a Sudra in theform of the learned Vidura of pure body who was perfectly sinless. Andthe Suta was born of Kunti in her maidenhood through Surya. And he cameout of his mother's womb with a natural coat of mail and face brightenedby ear-rings. And Vishnu himself, of world-wide fame, and worshipped ofall the worlds, was born of Devaki through Vasudeva, for the benefit ofthe three worlds. He is without birth and death, of radiant splendour,the Creator of the universe and the Lord of all! Indeed, he who is theinvisible cause of all, who knoweth no deterioration, who is theall-pervading soul, the centre round which everything moveth, thesubstance in which the three attributes of Sattwa, Rajas and Tamasco-inhere, the universal soul, the immutable, the material out of whichhath been created this universe, the Creator himself, the controllinglord, the invisible dweller in every object, progenitor of this universeof five elements, who is united with the six high attributes, is thePranava or Om of the Vedas, is infinite, incapable of being moved by anyforce save his own will, illustrious, the embodiment of the mode of lifecalled Sannyasa, who floated on the waters before the creation, who isthe source whence hath sprung this mighty frame, who is the greatcombiner, the uncreate, the invisible essence of all, the greatimmutable, bereft of those attributes that are knowable by the senses,who is the universe itself, without beginning, birth, and decay,--ispossessed of infinite wealth, that Grandsire of all creatures, becameincarnate in the race of the Andhaka-Vrishnis for the increase of virtue.
"And Satyaki and Kritavarma, conversant with (the use of) weaponspossessed of mighty energy, well-versed in all branches of knowledge, andobedient to Narayana in everything and competent in the use of weapons,had their births from Satyaka and Hridika. And the seed of the greatRishi Bharadwaja of severe penances, kept in a pot, began to develop. Andfrom that seed came Drona (the pot-born). And from the seed of Gautama,fallen upon a clump of reeds, were born two that were twins, the motherof Aswatthaman (called Kripi), and Kripa of great strength. Then was bornDhrishtadyumna, of the splendour of Agni himself, from the sacrificialfire. And the mighty hero was born with bow in hand for the destructionof Drona. And from the sacrificial altar was born Krishna (Draupadi)resplendent and handsome, of bright features and excellent beauty. Thenwas born the disciple of Prahlada, viz., Nagnajit, and also Suvala. Andfrom Suvala was born a son, Sakuni, who from the curse of the gods becamethe slayer of creatures and the foe of virtue. And unto him was also borna daughter (Gandhari), the mother of Duryodhana. And both werewell-versed in the arts of acquiring worldly profits. And from Krishnawas born, in the soil of Vichitravirya, Dhritarashtra, the lord of men,and Pandu of great strength. And from Dwaipayana also born, in the Sudracaste, the wise and intelligent Vidura, conversant with both religion andprofit, and free from all sins. And unto Pandu by his two wives were bornfive sons like the celestials. The eldest of them was Yudhishthira. AndYudhishthira was born (of the seed) of Dharma (Yama, the god of justice);and Bhima of the wolf's stomach was born of Marut (the god of wind), andDhananjaya, blessed with good fortune and the first of all wielders ofweapons, was born of Indra; and Nakula and Sahadeva, of handsome featuresand ever engaged in the service of their superiors, were born of the twinAswins. And unto the wise Dhritarashtra were born a hundred sons, viz.,Duryodhana and others, and another, named Yuyutsu, who was born of avaisya woman. And amongst those hundred and one, eleven, viz., Duhsasana,Duhsaha, Durmarshana, Vikarna, Chitrasena, Vivinsati, Jaya, Satyavrata,Purumitra, and Yuyutsu by a Vaisya wife, were all Maharathas (greatcar-warriors). And Abhimanyu was born of Subhadra, the sister of Vasudevathrough Arjuna, and was, therefore, the grandson of the illustriousPandu. And unto the five Pandavas were born five sons by (their commonwife) Panchali. And these princes were all very handsome and conversantwith all branches of knowledge. From Yudhishthira was born Pritivindhya;from Vrikodara, Sutasoma; from Arjuna, Srutakirti; from Nakula, Satanika;and from Sahadeva, Srutasena of great prowess; and Bhima, in the forestbegot on Hidimva a son named Ghatotkacha. And from Drupada was born adaughter Sikhandin who was afterwards transformed into a male child.Sikhandini was so transformed into a male by Yaksha named Sthuna from thedesire of doing her good.
"In that great battle of the Kurus came hundreds of thousands of monarchsfor fighting against one another. The names of the innumerable host I amunable to recount even in ten thousand years. I have named, however, theprincipal ones who have been mentioned in this history.'"
(Astika Parva continued)
"Santi said, 'And that bird, assuming a golden body bright as the rays ofthe Sun, entered with great force (the region where the Soma was), like atorrent entering the ocean. And he saw, placed near the Soma, a wheel ofsteel keen-edged, and sharp as the razor, revolving incessantly. And thatfierce instrument, of the splendour of the blazing sun and of terribleform, had been devised by the gods for cutting in pieces all robbers ofthe Soma. Garuda, seeing a passage through it, stopped there for amoment. Diminishing his body, in an instant he passed through the spokesof that wheel. Within the line of the wheel, he beheld, stationed therefor guarding the Soma two great snakes of the effulgence of blazing fire,with tongues bright as the lightning-flash, of great energy, with mouthemitting fire, with blazing eyes, containing poison, very terrible,always in anger, and of great activity. Their eyes were ceaselesslyinflamed with rage and were also winkless. He who may be seen by even oneof the two would instantly be reduced to ashes. The bird of fair featherssuddenly covered their eyes with dust. And unseen by them he attackedthem from all sides. And the son of Vinata, that ranger of the skies,attacking their bodies, mangled them into pieces. He then approached theSoma without loss of time. Then the mighty son of Vinata, taking up theAmrita from the place where it was kept, rose on his wings with greatspeed, breaking into pieces the machine that had surrounded it. And thebird soon came out, taking the Amrita but without drinking it himself.And he then wended on his way without the least fatigue, darkening thesplendour of the Sun.
"And the son of Vinata then met Vishnu on his way along the sky. AndNarayana was gratified at that act of self-denial on the part of Garuda.And that deity, knowing no deterioration, said unto the ranger of theskies, 'O, I am inclined to grant thee a boon.' The ranger of the skiesthereupon said, 'I shall stay above thee.' And he again spake untoNarayana 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 theea boon; therefore, let the possessor of the six attributes ask of me.'Vishnu then asked the mighty Garuda to become his carrier. And he madethe bird sit on the flagstaff of his car, saying, 'Even thus thou shaltstay above me.' And the ranger of the skies, of great speed, saying untoNarayana, 'Be it so,' swiftly wended on his way, mocking the wind withhis fleetness.
"And while that foremost of all rangers of the skies, that first ofwinged creatures, Garuda, was coursing through the air after wresting theAmrita, Indra hurled at him his thunderbolt. Then Garuda, the lord ofbirds, struck with thunderbolt, spake laughingly unto Indra engaged inthe encounter, in sweet words, saying, 'I shall respect the Rishi(Dadhichi) of whose bone the Vajra hath been made. I shall also respectthe Vajra, and thee also of a thousand sacrifices. I cast this feather ofmine whose end thou shalt not attain. Struck with thy thunder I have notfelt the slightest pain.' And having said this, the king of birds cast afeather of his. And all creatures became exceedingly glad, beholding thatexcellent feather of Garuda so cast off. And seeing that the feather wasvery beautiful, they said, 'Let this bird be called Suparna (having fairfeathers). And Purandara of a thousand eyes, witnessing this wonderfulincident, thought that bird to be some great being and addressed himthus.'
"And Indra said, 'O best of birds, I desire to know the limit of thygreat strength. I also desire eternal friendship with thee.'"
So ends the thirty-third section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XXXIV
(Astika Parva continued)
'Sauti continued, 'Garuda then said, 'O Purandara, let there befriendship between thee and me as thou desirest. My strength, know thou,is hard to bear. O thou of a thousand sacrifices, the good never approveof speaking highly of their own strength, nor do they speak of their ownmerits. But being made a friend, and asked by thee, O friend, I willanswer thee, although self-praise without reason is ever improper. I canbear, on a single feather of mine, O Sakra, this Earth, with hermountains and forests and with the waters of the ocean, and with theealso stationed thereon. Know thou, my strength is such that I can bearwithout fatigue even all the worlds put together, with their mobile andimmobile objects.'
"Sauti continued, 'O Saunaka, after Garuda of great courage had thusspoken, 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 thousayest. Everything is possible in thee. Accept now my sincere and heartyfriendship. And if thou hast no concern with the Soma, return it to me.Those to whom thou wouldst give it would always oppose us.' Garudaanswered, 'There is a certain reason for which the Soma is being carriedby me. I shall not give the Soma to any one for drink. But, O thou of athousand 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, 'Ooviparous 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 thoudesirest.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then Garuda, recollecting the sons of Kadru andremembering also the bondage of his mother caused by an act of deceptionowing 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 theDanavas having said unto him, 'Be it so,' then went to Hari, the god ofgods, of great soul, and the lord of Yogins. And the latter sanctionedeverything that had been said by Garuda. And the illustrious lord ofheaven again said unto Garuda, 'I shall bring away the Soma when thouplacest it down.' And having said so, he bade farewell to Garuda. And thebird of fair feathers then went to the presence of his mother with greatspeed.
"And Garuda in joy then spake unto all the snakes, 'Here have I broughtthe Amrita. Let me place it on some Kusa grass. O ye snakes, sittinghere, drink of it after ye have performed your ablutions and religiousrites. As said by you, let my mother become, from this day, free, for Ihave accomplished your bidding.' The snakes having said unto Garuda, 'Beit so,' then went to perform their ablutions. Meanwhile, Sakra taking upthe Amrita, wended back to heaven. The snakes after performing theirablutions, their daily devotions, and other sacred rites, returned injoy, desirous of drinking the Amrita. They saw that the bed of kusa grasswhereon the Amrita had been placed was empty, the Amrita itself havingbeen taken away by a counter-act of deception. And they began to lickwith 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. Andthe kusa grass, too, from the contact with Amrita, became sacredthenceforth. Thus did the illustrious Garuda bring Amrita (from theheavens) for the snakes, and thus were the tongues of snakes divided bywhat Garuda did.
"Then the bird of fair feathers, very much delighted, enjoyed himself inthose woods accompanied by his mother. Of grand achievements, and deeplyreverenced by all rangers of the skies, he gratified his mother bydevouring the snakes.
"That man who would listen to this story, or read it out to an assemblyof good Brahmanas, must surely go to heaven, acquiring great merit fromthe recitation of (the feats of) Garuda.'"
And so ends the thirty-fourth section in the Astika Parva of the AdiParva.
SECTION XXXV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, thou hast told us the reason why thesnakes were cursed by their mother, and why Vinata also was cursed by herson. Thou hast also told us about the bestowal of boons, by theirhusband, on Kadru and Vinata. Thou hast likewise told us the names ofVinata's sons. But thou hast not yet recited to us the names of thesnakes. We are anxious to hear the names of the principal ones.'
"Sauti said, O thou whose wealth is asceticism, from fear of beinglengthy, I shall not mention the names of all the snakes. But I willrecite 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, 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 principalserpents. From fear of being tedious I do not give names of the rest. Othou whose wealth is asceticism, the sons of these snakes, with theirgrandsons, are innumerable. Reflecting upon this, I shall not name themto thee. O best ascetics, in this world the number of snakes bafflescalculation, there being many thousands and millions of them.'"
So ends the thirty-fifth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XXXVI
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'O child, thou hast named many of the serpents gifted withgreat energy and incapable of being easily overcome. What did they doafter hearing of that curse?'
"Sauti said, 'The illustrious Sesha amongst them, of great renown,leaving his mother practised hard penances, living upon air and rigidlyobserving his vows. He practised these ascetic devotions, repairing toGandhamadana, Vadri, Gokarna, the woods of Pushkara, and the foot ofHimavat. And he passed his days in those sacred regions, some of whichwere sacred for their water and others for their soil in the rigidobservance of his vows, with singleness of aim, and his passions undercomplete control. And the Grandsire of all, Brahma, saw that ascetic withknotted hair, clad in rags, and his flesh, skin, and sinews dried upowing to the hard penances he was practising. And the Grandsireaddressing him, that penance-practising one of great fortitude, said,'What is that thorn doest, O Sesha? Let the welfare of the creatures ofthe worlds also engage thy thoughts. O sinless one, thou art afflictingall creatures by thy hard penances. O Sesha, tell me the desire implantedin thy breast.'
"And Sesha replied, 'My uterine brothers are all of wicked hearts. I donot desire to live amongst them. Let this be sanctioned by thee. Likeenemies they are always jealous of one another. I am, therefore, engagedin ascetic devotions. I will not see them even. They never show anykindness for Vinata and her son. Indeed, Vinata's son capable of rangingthrough the skies, is another brother of ours. They always envy him. Andhe, too, is much stronger owing to the bestowal of that boon by ourfather, the high-souled Kasyapa. For these, I engaged in asceticpenances, and I will cast off this body of mine, so that I may avoidcompanionship with them, even in another state of life.'
"Unto Sesha who had said so, the Grandsire said, 'O Sesha, I know thebehaviour of all thy brothers and their great danger owing to theiroffence against their mother. But O Snake, a remedy (for this) hath beenprovided by me even beforehand. It behoveth thee not to grieve for thybrothers. O Sesha, ask of me the boon thou desirest. I have been highlygratified 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 bemore 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 asceticpenances, O Lord of all!'
"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, I am exceedingly gratified with this thyself-denial and love of peace. But, at my command, let this act be doneby thee for the good of my creatures. Bear thou, O Sesha, properly andwell this Earth so unsteady with her mountains and forests, her seas andtowns and retreats, so that she may be steady.'
"Sesha said, 'O divine Lord of all creatures, O bestower of boons, O lordof 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 allcreatures, place her on my head.'
"Brahman said, 'O best of snakes, go underneath the Earth. She willherself give thee a crevice to pass through. And, O Sesha, by holding theEarth, 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 allround.'
"Brahman said, 'O Sesha, O best of snakes, thou art the god Dharma,because alone, with thy huge body, thou supportest the Earth witheverything 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 ofBrahman. And the illustrious Grandsire, the best of the immortals, thengave unto Ananta the bird of fair feathers, viz., the son of Vinata, forAnanta's help.'"
So ends the thirty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XXXVII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'That best of snakes, viz., Vasuki, hearing the curse of hismother, reflected how to render it abortive. He held a consultation withall his brothers, Airavata and others, intent upon doing what they deemedbest for themselves.'
"And Vasuki said, 'O ye sinless ones, the object of this curse is knownto you. It behoveth us to strive to neutralise it. Remedies certainlyexist for all curses, but no remedy can avail those cursed by theirmother. Hearing that this curse hath been uttered in the presence of theImmutable, the Infinite, and the True one, my heart trembleth. Surely,our annihilation hath come. Otherwise why should not the Immutable Lordprevent our mother while uttering the curse? Therefore, let us consulttoday 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 outthe means of deliverance as (did) the gods of yore to regain lost Agniwho had concealed himself within a cave, so that Janamejaya's sacrificefor the destruction of the snakes may not take place, and so that we maynot meet with destruction.'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed all the offspring of Kadru assembledtogether, and, wise in counsels, submitted their opinions to one another.One party of the serpents said, 'We should assume the guise of superiorBrahmanas, and beseech Janamejaya, saying, 'This (intended) sacrifice ofyours ought not to take place.' Other snakes thinking themselves wise,said, 'We should all become his favourite counsellors. He will thencertainly ask for our advice in all projects. And we will then give himsuch advice that the sacrifice may be obstructed. The king, the foremostof wise men, thinking us of sterling worth will certainly ask us abouthis sacrifice. We will say, 'It must not be!' And pointing to manyserious evils in this and the next worlds, we will take care that thesacrifice may not take place. Or, let one of the snakes, approaching,bite the person who, intending the monarch's good, and well-acquaintedwith the rites of the snake-sacrifice, may be appointed as thesacrificial 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 appointedRitwiks of the sacrifice, and by that means attain our object.' Othersnakes, 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, whichis blessed on the practices of the righteous. Unrighteousness finallydestroyeth the world.' Other serpents said, 'We will extinguish theblazing sacrificial fire by ourselves becoming clouds luminous withlightning and pouring down showers.' Other snakes, the best of theirkind, proposed, 'Going, by night, let us steal away the vessel of Somajuice. 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 anddung.' Others said, 'Let us become the king's Ritwiks, and obstruct hissacrifice by saying at the outset, 'Give us the sacrificial fee.' He (theking), being placed in our power, will do whatever we like.' Others theresaid, 'When the king will sport in the waters, we will carry him to ourhome and bind him, so that that sacrifice will not take place!' Otherserpents who deemed themselves wise, said, 'Approaching the king, let usbite him, so that our object will be accomplished. By his death the rootof all evil will be torn up. This is the final deliberation of us all, Othou who hearest with thy eyes! Then, do speedily what thou deemestproper.' Having said this, they looked intently at Vasuki, that best ofsnakes. And Vasuki also, after reflecting, answered saying, 'Ye snakes,this final determination of you doth not seem worthy of adoption. Theadvice of you all is not to my liking. What shall I say which would befor 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 yoursuggestions 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 thatmakes me so anxious, for the credit or the discredit (of the measure) ismine alone.'"
So ends the thirty-seventh section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XXXVIII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Hearing the respective speeches of all the snakes, andhearing also the words of Vasuki, Elapatra began to address them, saying,'That sacrifice is not one that can be prevented. Nor is king Janamejayaof the Pandava race from whom this fear proceedeth, such that he can behindered. The person, O king, who is afflicted by fate hath recourse tofate alone; nothing else can be his refuge. Ye best of snakes, this fearof 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, infear I lay crouching on the lap of our mother. Ye best of snakes, and Olord (Vasuki) of great splendour, from that place I heard the words thesorrowing gods spake unto the Grandsire. The gods said, 'O Grandsire,thou god of gods who else than the cruel Kadru could thus, after gettingsuch dear children, curse them so, even in thy presence? And, OGrandsire, by thee also hath been spoken, with reference to those wordsof hers, 'Be it so.' We wish to know the reason why thou didst notprevent her.' Brahman replied, 'The snakes have multiplied. They arecruel, terrible in form and highly poisonous. From desire of the good ofmy creatures, I did not prevent Kadru then. Those poisonous serpents andothers who are sinful, biting others for no faults, shall, indeed, bedestroyed, 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 bythe name of Jaratkaru, intelligent, with passions under complete control.That Jaratkaru shall have a son of the name of Astika. He shall put astop to that sacrifice. And those snakes who shall be virtuous shallescape therefrom. The gods said, 'O thou truth-knowing one, on whom willJaratkaru, 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 wifeof the same name as his. Vasuki, the king of the snakes, hath a sister ofthe 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. OVasuki, I see before me that sister of thine known by the name ofJaratkaru. For relieving us from fear, give her as alms unto him (i.e.,the Rishi), Jaratkaru, of excellent vows, who shall roam abegging for abride. This means of release hath been heard of by me!'"
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, theforemost of all gifted with strength, became the churning-cord. Anddirectly the work was over, the king of the snakes presented himselfbefore the Grandsire. And the gods, accompanied by Vasuki, addressed theGrandsire, saying, 'O lord, Vasuki is suffering great affliction fromfear 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 ofVasuki desirous of the weal of his race. The king of the snakes is everour friend and benefactor. O Lord of the gods, be gracious unto him andassuage his mind's fever.'
"Brahman replied, 'O ye immortals, I have thought, in my mind, of what yehave said. Let the king of the snakes do that which hath beencommunicated to him before by Elapatra. The time hath arrived. Those onlyshall be destroyed that are wicked, not those that are virtuous.Jaratkaru hath been born, and that Brahmana is engaged in hard asceticpenances. Let Vasuki, at the proper time, bestow on him his sister. Yegods, what hath been spoken by the snake Elapatra for the weal of thesnakes is true and not otherwise.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then the king of the snakes, Vasuki, afflicted withthe curse of his mother, hearing these words of the Grandsire, andintending to bestow his sister of the Rishi Jaratkaru, commanded all theserpents, a large numbers of whom were ever attentive to their duties, towatch the Rishi Jaratkaru, saying, 'When the lord Jaratkaru will ask fora wife, come immediately and inform me of it. The weal of our racedepends upon it.'"
SECTION XL
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'O son of Suta, I desire to know the reason why theillustrious Rishi whom thou hast named Jaratkaru came to be so called onearth. It behoveth thee to tell us the etymology of the name Jaratkaru.'
"Sauti said, 'Jara is said to mean waste, and Karu implies huge. ThisRishi's body had been huge, and he gradually reduced it by severe asceticpenances. For the same reason, O Brahmanas, the sister of Vasuki wascalled Jaratkaru.'
The virtuous Saunaka, when he heard this, smiled and addressingUgrasravas said, 'It is even so.'
Saunaka then said, 'I have heard all that thou hast before recited. Idesire to know how Astika was born.'
Sauti, on hearing these words, began to relate according to what waswritten in the Sastras.
"Sauti said, 'Vasuki, desirous of bestowing his sister upon the RishiJaratkaru, gave the snakes (necessary) orders. But days went on, yet thatwise Muni of rigid vows, deeply engaged in ascetic devotions, did notseek for a wife. That high-souled Rishi, engaged in studies and deeplydevoted to asceticism, his vital seed under full control, fearlesslywandered over the whole earth and had no wish for a wife.
"Afterwards, once upon a time, there was a king, O Brahmana, of the nameof Parikshit, born in the race of the Kauravas. And, like hisgreat-grandfather Pandu of old, he was of mighty arms, the first of allbearers of bows in battle, and fond of hunting. And the monarch wanderedabout, hunting deer, and wild boars, and wolves, and buffaloes andvarious other kinds of wild animals. One day, having pierced a deer witha sharp arrow and slung his bow on his back, he penetrated into the deepforest, searching for the animal here and there, like the illustriousRudra himself of old pursuing in the heavens, bow in hand, the deer whichwas Sacrifice, itself turned into that shape, after the piercing. No deerthat 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 thatParikshit--that king of men--had pierced was lost to his gaze and drewthe monarch far away into the forest. And fatigued and thirsty, he cameacross a Muni, in the forest, seated in a cow-pen and drinking to hisfill the froth oozing out of the mouths of calves sucking the milk oftheir dams. And approaching him hastily, the monarch, hungry andfatigued, and raising his bow, asked that Muni of rigid vows, saying, 'OBrahmana, I am king Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu. A deer pierced by mehath been lost. Hast thou seen it?' But that Muni observing then the vowof silence, spoke not unto him a word. And the king in anger thereuponplaced upon his shoulder a dead snake, taking it up with the end of hisbow. The Muni suffered him to do it without protest. And he spoke not aword, good or bad. And the king seeing him in that state, cast off hisanger and became sorry. And he returned to his capital but the Rishicontinued in the same state. The forgiving Muni, knowing that the monarchwho was a tiger amongst kings was true to the duties of his order, cursedhim not, though insulted. That tiger amongst monarchs, that foremost oneof Bharata's race, also did not know that the person whom he had soinsulted was a virtuous Rishi. It was for this that he had so insultedhim.
"That Rishi had a son by name Sringin, of tender years, gifted with greatenergy, deep in ascetic penances, severe in his vows, very wrathful, anddifficult to be appeased. At times, he worshipped with great attentionand respect his preceptor seated with ease on his seat and ever engagedin the good of creatures.
"And commanded by his preceptor, he was coming home when, O best ofBrahmanas, a companion of his, a Rishi's son named Krisa in a playfulmood laughingly spoke unto him. And Sringin, wrathful and like untopoison itself, hearing these words in reference to his father, blazed upin rage.'
"And Krisa said, 'Be not proud, O Sringin, for ascetic as thou art andpossessed of energy, thy father bears on his shoulders a dead snake.Henceforth speak not a word to sons of Rishis like ourselves who haveknowledge of the truth, are deep in ascetic penances, and have attainedsuccess. Where is that manliness of thine, those high words of thinebegotten of pride, when thou must have to behold thy father bearing adead snake? O best of all the Munis, thy father too had done nothing todeserve this treatment, and it is for this that I am particularly sorryas if the punishment were mine.'"
SECTION XLI
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Being thus addressed, and hearing that his sire was bearinga dead snake, the powerful Sringin burned with wrath. And looking atKrisa, and speaking softly, he asked him, 'Pray, why doth my father beartoday a dead snake?' And Krisa replied, 'Even as king Parikshit wasroving, for purpose of hunting, O dear one, he placed the dead snake onthe shoulder of thy sire.'
"And Sringin asked, 'What wrong was done to that wicked monarch by myfather? O Krisa, tell me this, and witness the power of my asceticism.'
"And Krisa answered, 'King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, whilehunting, had wounded a fleet stag with an arrow and chased it alone. Andthe king lost sight of the animal in that extensive wilderness. Seeingthen thy sire, he immediately accosted him. Thy sire was then observingthe vow of silence. Oppressed by hunger, thirst and labour, the princeagain and again asked thy sire sitting motionless, about the missingdeer. The sage, being under the vow of silence, returned no reply. Theking thereupon placed the snake on thy sire's shoulder with the end ofhis bow. O Sringin, thy sire engaged in devotion is in the same posturestill. And the king also hath gone to his capital which is named afterthe 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 thencursed the king, touching water and overcome with wrath.'
"And Sringin said, 'That sinful wretch of a monarch who hath placed adead snake on the shoulders of my lean and old parent, that insulter ofBrahmanas and tarnisher of the fame of the Kurus, shall be taken withinseven nights hence to the regions of Yama (Death) by the snake Takshaka,the powerful king of serpents, stimulated thereto by the strength of mywords!'
"Sauti continued, 'And having thus cursed (the king) from anger, Sringinwent to his father, and saw the sage sitting in the cow-pen, bearing thedead snake. And seeing his parent in that plight, he was again inflamedwith ire. And he shed tears of grief, and addressed his sire, saying,'Father, having been informed of this thy disgrace at the hands of thatwicked wretch, king Parikshit, I have from anger even cursed him; andthat worst of Kurus hath richly deserved my potent curse. Seven dayshence, Takshaka, the lord of snakes, shall take the sinful king to thehorrible 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 thedomains of that great king. We are protected by him righteously. In allhe does, the reigning king should by the like of us forgiven. If thoudestroy Dharma, verily Dharma will destroy thee. If the king do notproperly protect us, we fare very ill; we cannot perform our religiousrites according to our desire. But protected by righteous sovereigns, weattain immense merit, and they are entitled to a share thereof.Therefore, reigning royalty is by all means to be forgiven. And Parikshitlike unto his great-grandsire, protecteth us as a king should protect hissubjects. That penance-practising monarch was fatigued and oppressed withhunger. Ignorant of my vow (of silence) he did this. A kingless countryalways suffereth from evils. The king punisheth offenders, and fear ofpunishments conducteth to peace; and people do their duties and performtheir rites undisturbed. The king establisheth religion--establisheth thekingdom of heaven. The king protecteth sacrifices from disturbance, andsacrifices to please the gods. The gods cause rain, and rain producethgrains and herbs, which are always useful to man. Manu sayeth, a ruler ofthe destinies of men is equal (in dignity) to ten Veda-studying priests.Fatigued and oppressed with hunger, that penance-practising prince hathdone this through ignorance of my vow. Why then hast thou rashly donethis unrighteous action through childishness? O son, in no way doth theking deserve a curse from us.'"
SECTION XLII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'And Sringin then replied to his father, saying, 'Whetherthis be an act of rashness, O father, or an improper act that I havedone, whether thou likest it or dislikest it, the words spoken by meshall never be in vain. O father, I tell thee (a curse) can never beotherwise. I have never spoken a lie even in jest.'
"And Samika said, 'Dear child, I know that thou art of great prowess, andtruthful in speech. Thou hast never spoken falsehood before, so that thycurse shall never be falsified. The son, even when he attaineth to age,should yet be always counselled by the father, so that crowned with goodqualities he may acquire great renown. A child as thou art, how much moredost thou stand in need of counsel? Thou art ever engaged in asceticpenances. The wrath of even the illustrious ones possessing the sixattributes increaseth greatly. O thou foremost of ordinance-observingpersons, seeing that thou art my son and a minor too, and beholding alsothy rashness, I see that I must counsel thee. Live thou, O son, inclinedto peace and eating fruits and roots of the forest. Kill this thy angerand destroy not the fruit of thy ascetic acts in this way. Wrath surelydecreaseth the virtue that ascetics acquire with great pains. And thenfor 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, shouldstthou always live. By forgiveness shalt thou obtain worlds that are beyondthe reach of Brahman himself. Having adopted peacefulness myself, andwith a desire also for doing good as much as lies in my power, I must dosomething; even must I send to that king, telling him, 'O monarch, thouhast been cursed by my son of tender years and undeveloped intellect, inwrath, at seeing thy act of disrespect towards myself.'
"Sauti continued, 'And that great ascetic, observer of vows, moved bykindness, sent with proper instructions a disciple of his to kingParikshit. And he sent his disciple Gaurmukha of good manners and engagedalso in ascetic penances, instructing him to first enquire about thewelfare of the king and then to communicate the real message. And thatdisciple soon approached that monarch, the head of the Kuru race. And heentered the king's palace having first sent notice of his arrival throughthe servant in attendance at the gate.
"And the twice-born Gaurmukha was duly worshipped by the monarch. Andafter resting for a while, he detailed fully to the king, in the presenceof his ministers, the words of Samika, of cruel import, exactly as he hadbeen 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 tohard ascetic devotions, living in thy dominions! By thee, O tiger amongmen, was placed on the shoulders of that Rishi observing at present thevow of silence, a dead snake, with the end of thy bow! He himself forgavethee that act. But his son could not. And by the latter hast thou todaybeen cursed, O king of kings, without the knowledge of his father, to theeffect that within seven nights hence, shall (the snake) Takshaka causethy death. And Samika repeatedly asked his son to save thee, but there isnone to falsify his son's curse. And because he hath been unable topacify his son possessed by anger, therefore have I been sent to thee, Oking, 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 Rishisin the forest had been observing the vow of silence, was doubly afflictedwith sorrow and seeing the kindness of the Rishi Samika, and consideringhis own sinful act towards him, the king became very repentant. And theking looking like a very god, did not grieve so much for hearing of hisdeath 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. Andhaving consulted them, the king, himself wise in counsels, caused amansion to be erected upon one solitary column. It was well-guarded dayand night. And for its protection were placed there physicians andmedicines, and Brahmanas skilled in mantras all around. And the monarch,protected on all sides, discharged his kingly duties from that placesurrounded by his virtuous ministers. And no one could approach that bestof kings there. The air even could not go there, being prevented fromentering.
"And when the seventh day had arrived, that best of Brahmanas, thelearned Kasyapa was coming (towards the king's residence), desirous oftreating the king (after the snake-bite). He had heard all that had takenplace, viz., that Takshaka, that first of snakes, would send that best ofmonarchs to the presence of Yama (Death). And he thought, I would curethe monarch after he is bit by that first of snakes. By that I may havewealth and may acquire virtue also.' But that prince of snakes, Takshaka,in the form of an old Brahmana, saw Kasyapa approaching on his way, hisheart set upon curing the king. And the prince of snakes then spake untothat bull among Munis, Kasyapa, saying, 'Whither dost thou go with suchspeed? What, besides, is the business upon which thou art intent?'
"And Kasyapa, thus addressed, replied, 'Takshaka, by his poison, willtoday burn king Parikshit of the Kuru race, that oppressor of allenemies. I go with speed, O amiable one, to cure, without loss of time,the king of immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Pandavarace, after he is bit by the same Takshaka like to Agni himself inenergy.' And Takshaka answered, 'I am that Takshaka, O Brahmana, whoshall burn that lord of the earth. Stop, for thou art unable to cure onebit 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 bythee.'"
SECTION XLIII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'And Takshaka, after this, answered, 'If, indeed, thou artable to cure any creature bitten by me, then, O Kasyapa, revive thou thistree bit by me. O best of Brahmanas, I burn this banian in thy sight. Trythy 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 ofsnakes, this tree. O snake, I shall revive it, though bit by thee.
"Sauti continued, 'That king of snakes, thus addressed by the illustriousKasyapa, bit then that banian tree. And that tree, bit by the illustrioussnake, 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 theforest.'
"Sauti continued, 'The tree was reduced to ashes by the poison of thatking of snakes. But taking up those ashes, Kasyapa spoke these words. 'Oking of snakes, behold the power of my knowledge as applied to this lordof the forest! O snake, under thy very nose I shall revive it.' And thenthat best of Brahmanas, the illustrious and learned Kasyapa, revived, byhis vidya, that tree which had been reduced to a heap of ashes. And firsthe created the sprout, then he furnished it with two leaves, and then hemade the stem, and then the branches, and then the full-grown tree withleaves and all. And Takshaka, seeing the tree revived by the illustriousKasyapa, said unto him, 'It is not wonderful in thee that thou shouldstdestroy my poison or that of any one else like myself. O thou whosewealth is asceticism, desirous of what wealth, goest thou thither? Thereward thou hopest to have from that best of monarchs, even I will givethee, however difficult it may be to obtain it. Decked with fame as thouart, thy success may be doubtful on that king affected by a Brahmana'scurse and whose span of life itself hath been shortened. In that case,this blazing fame of thine that hath overspread the three worlds willdisappear like the Sun when deprived of his splendour (on the occasion ofthe eclipse).'
"Kasyapa said, 'I go there for wealth, give it unto me, O snake, so thattaking thy gold. I may return.' Takshaka replied, 'O best of regenerateones, 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 andintelligence, hearing those words of Takshaka, sat in yoga meditationover the king. And that foremost of Munis, viz., Kasyapa, of greatprowess and gifted with spiritual knowledge, ascertaining that the periodof 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 theproper time speedily entered the city of Hastinapura. And on his way heheard that the king was living very cautiously, protected by means ofpoison-neutralising mantras and medicines.'
"Sauti continued, 'The snake thereupon reflected thus, 'The monarch mustbe 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 asceticstaking with them fruits, kusa grass, and water (as presents). AndTakshaka, addressing them, said, 'Go ye all to the king, on the pretextof pressing business, without any sign of impatience, as if to make themonarch only accept the fruits and flowers and water (that ye shall carryas presents unto him).'
"Sauti continued, 'Those snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, actedaccordingly. 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.' Thenafter those snakes disguised as ascetics had gone away, the kingaddressed his ministers and friends, saying, 'Eat ye, with me, all thesefruits of excellent taste brought by the ascetics.' Impelled by Fate andthe words of the Rishi, the king, with his ministers, felt the desire ofeating those fruits. The particular fruit, within which Takshaka hadentered, was taken by the king himself for eating. And when he was eatingit, there appeared, O Saunaka, an ugly insect out of it, of shapescarcely discernible, of eyes black, and of coppery colour. And thatforemost 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 beexpiated and the words of the ascetic rendered true.' And thosecouncillors also, impelled by Fate, approved of that speech. And then themonarch smiled, losing his senses, his hour having come. And he quicklyplaced 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 beenoffered to the king, coiled himself round the neck of the monarch. Andquickly coiling round the king's neck and uttering a tremendous roar,Takshaka, that lord of snakes, bit that protector of the earth.'"
SECTION XLIV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Then the councillors beholding the king in the coils ofTakshaka, became pale with fear and wept in exceeding grief. And hearingthe roar of Takshaka, the ministers all fled. And as they were flyingaway in great grief, they saw Takshaka, the king of snakes, thatwonderful serpent, coursing through the blue sky like a streak of the hueof the lotus, and looking very much like the vermilion-coloured line on awoman'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'spoison. And the king's councillors, on beholding it, fled away in alldirections. And the king himself fell down, as if struck by lightning.
"And when the king was laid low by Takshaka's poison, his councillorswith the royal priest--a holy Brahmana--performed all his last rites. Allthe citizens, assembling together, made the minor son of the deceasedmonarch their king. And the people called their new king, that slayer ofall enemies, that hero of the Kuru race, by the name of Janamejaya. Andthat best of monarchs, Janamejaya, though a child, was wise in mind. Andwith his councillors and priest, the eldest son Parikshita, that bullamongst the Kurus, ruled the kingdom like his heroic great-grand-father(Yudhishthira). And the ministers of the youthful monarch, beholding thathe could now keep his enemies in check, went to Suvarnavarman, the kingof Kasi, and asked him his daughter Vapushtama for a bride. And the kingof Kasi, after due inquiries, bestowed with ordained rites, his daughterVapushtama on that mighty hero of Kuru race. And the latter, receivinghis bride, became exceedingly glad. And he gave not his heart at any timeto any other woman. And gifted with great energy, he wandered in pursuitof pleasure, with a cheerful heart, on expanses of water and amid woodsand flowery fields. And that first of monarchs passed his time inpleasure as Pururavas of old did, on receiving the celestial damselUrvasi. Herself fairest of the fair, the damsel Vapushtama too, devotedto her lord and celebrated for her beauty having gained a desirablehusband, pleased him by the excess of her affection during the period hespent in the pursuit of pleasure.'"
SECTION XLV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Meanwhile the great ascetic Jaratkaru wandered over the whole earthmaking the place where evening fell his home for the night. And giftedwith ascetic power, he roamed, practising various vows difficult to bepractised by the immature, and bathing also in various sacred waters. Andthe Muni had air alone for his food and was free from desire of worldlyenjoyment. And he became daily emaciated and grew lean-fleshed. And oneday he saw the spirits of his ancestors, heads down, in a hole, by a cordof virana roots having only one thread entire. And that even singlethread was being gradually eaten away by a large rat dwelling in thathole. And the Pitris in that hole were without food, emaciated, pitiable,and eagerly desirous of salvation. And Jaratkaru, approaching thepitiable one, himself in humble guise, asked them, 'Who are ye hanging bythis cord of virana roots? The single weak root that is still left inthis cord of virana roots already eaten away by the rat, dwelling in thishole, is itself being gradually eaten away by the same rat with his sharpteeth. The little that remains of that single thread will soon be cutaway. It is clear ye shall then have to fall down into this pit withfaces downwards. Seeing you with faces downwards, and overtaken by thisgreat 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, athird, 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 allthis. 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 thyasceticism. O child, O first of speakers, we too have the fruits of ourasceticism. But, O Brahmana, it is for the loss of children that we arefalling down into this unholy hell. The grandsire himself hath said thata son is a great merit. As we are about to be cast in this hole, ourideas are no longer clear. Therefore, O child, we know thee not, althoughthy manhood is well-known on earth. Venerable thou art and of goodfortune, thou who thus from kindness grievest for us worthy of pity andgreatly afflicted. O Brahmana, listen, who we are. We are Rishis of theYayavara sect, of rigid vows. And, O Muni, from loss of children, we havefallen down from a sacred region. Our severe penances have not beendestroyed; we have a thread yet. But we have only one thread now. Itmatters 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 gonethrough 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 fromgreed for the merits or asceticism, we have been reduced to thisdeplorable state. He hath no wife, no son, no relatives. Therefore, do wehang in this hole, our consciousness lost, like men having none to takecare of them. If thou meetest him, O, tell him, from thy kindness toourselves, Thy Pitris, in sorrow, are hanging with faces downwards in ahole. 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 ofthy ancestors. O Brahmana, the cord of virana roots that thou seest weare hanging by, is the cord representing our multiplied race. And, OBrahmana, these threads of the cord of virana roots that thou seest aseaten away, are ourselves who have been eaten up by Time. This root thouseest hath been half-eaten and by which we are hanging in this hole is hethat hath adopted asceticism alone. The rat that thou beholdest is Timeof infinite strength. And he (Time) is gradually weakening the wretchJaratkaru engaged in ascetic penances tempted by the merits thereof, butwanting in prudence and heart. O excellent one, his asceticism cannotsave us. Behold, our roots being torn, cast down from higher regions,deprived of consciousness by Time, we are going downwards like sinfulwretches. 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, whetherit is asceticism, or sacrifice, or whatever else there be of very holyacts, everything is inferior. These cannot count with a son. O child,having seen all, speak unto that Jaratkaru of ascetic wealth. Thoushouldst tell him in detail everything that thou hast beheld. And, OBrahmana, from thy kindness towards us, thou shouldst tell him all thatwould 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 forus all like a friend? We wish to hear who thou art that stayest here.'"
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 gonebefore. Therefore, tell me what I must do for your welfare. I am thatsinful son of yours, Jaratkaru! Punish me for my sinful deeds, a wretchthat I am.'
"The Pitris replied, saying, 'O son, by good luck hast thou arrived atthis spot in course of thy rambles. O Brahmana, why hast thou not taken awife?'
"Jaratkaru said. 'Ye Pitris, this desire hath always existed in my heartthat I would, with vital seed drawn up, carry this body to the otherworld. My mind hath been possessed with the idea that I would not take awife. But ye grandsires, having seen you hanging like birds, I havediverted my mind from the Brahmacharya mode of life. I will truly do whatyou like. I will certainly marry, if ever I meet with a maiden of my ownname. I shall accept her who, bestowing herself of her own accord, willbe as aims unto me, and whom I shall not have to maintain. I shall marryif I get such a one; otherwise, I shall not. This is the truth, yegrandsires! And the offspring that will be begot upon her shall be yoursalvation. And ye Pitris of mine, ye shall live for ever in blessednessand without fear.'
'Sauti continued, 'The Muni, having said so unto the Pitris, wanderedover the earth again. And, O Saunaka, being old, he obtained no wife. Andhe grieved much that he was not successful. But directed (as before) byhis ancestors, he continued the search. And going into the forest, hewept loudly in great grief. And having gone into the forest, the wiseone, moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, 'I willask for a bride,' distinctly repeating these words thrice. And he said,'Whatever creatures are here, mobile and immobile, so whoever there bethat 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 myancestors, I am roaming in poverty and sorrow, over the wide world forwedding a maiden that I may obtain as alms. Let that creature, amongstthose I have addressed, who hath a daughter, bestow on me that am roamingfar and near. Such a bride as is of same name with me, to be bestowed onme as alms, and whom, besides, I shall not maintain, O bestow on me!'Then those snakes that had been set upon Jaratkaru track, ascertaininghis inclination, gave information to Vasuki. And the king of the snakes,hearing their words, took with him that maiden decked with ornaments, andwent into the forest unto that Rishi. And, O Brahmana, Vasuki, the kingof the snakes, having gone there, offered that maiden as alms unto thathigh-souled Rishi. But the Rishi did not at once accept her. And theRishi, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and seeingthat the question of her maintenance also was unsettled, reflected for afew moments, hesitating to accept her. And then, O son of Bhrigu, heasked Vasuki the maiden's name, and also said unto him, 'I shall notmaintain her.'"
SECTION XLVII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Then Vasuki spake unto the Rishi Jaratkaru these words, 'Obest of Brahmanas, this maiden is of the same name with thee. She is mysister and hath ascetic merit. I will maintain thy wife; accept her. Othou of ascetic wealth, I shall protect her with all my ability. And, Oforemost of the great Munis, she hath been reared by me for thee.' Andthe Rishi replied, 'This is agreed between us that I shall not maintainher; and she shall not do aught that I do not like. If she do, I leaveher!'
"Sauti continued, 'When the snake had promised, saying, 'I shall maintainmy sister,' Jaratkaru then went to the snake's house. Then that first ofmantra-knowing Brahmanas, observing rigid vows, that virtuous and veteranascetic, took her hand presented to him according to shastric rites. Andtaking his bride with him, adored by the great Rishi, he entered thedelightful chamber set apart for him by the king of the snakes. And inthat chamber was a bed-stead covered with very valuable coverlets. AndJaratkaru lived there with his wife. And the excellent Rishi made anagreement with his wife, saying, 'Nothing must ever be done or said bythee 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 inmind these words that have been spoken by me.'
"And then the sister of the king of the snakes in great anxiety andgrieving exceedingly, spoke unto him, saying, 'Be it so.' And moved bythe desire of doing good to her relatives, that damsel, of unsulliedreputation, 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. Andone day, after the menstrual period, the sister of Vasuki, havingpurified herself by a bath according to custom, approached her lord thegreat Muni; And thereupon she conceived. And the embryo was like unto aflame 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 hishead on the lap of his wife, slept, looking like one fatigued. And as hewas sleeping, the sun entered his chambers in the Western mountain andwas about to set. And, O Brahmana, as the day was fading, she, theexcellent sister of Vasuki, became thoughtful, fearing the loss of herhusband's virtue. And she thought, 'What should I now do? Shall I wake myhusband 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 andthe loss of virtue of a virtuous man. The loss of virtue, I ween, is thegreater of the two evils. Again, if I wake him, he will be angry. But iftwilight passeth away without his prayers being said, he shall certainlysustain loss of virtue.'
'And having resolved at last, the sweet-speeched Jaratkaru, the sister ofVasuki, 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, doyour evening prayer after purifying yourself with water and uttering thename of Vishnu. The time for the evening sacrifice hath come. Twilight, Olord, is even now gently covering the western side.'
"The illustrious Jaratkaru of great ascetic merit, thus addressed, spakeunto his wife these words, his upper lip quivering in anger, 'O amiableone of the Naga race, thou hast insulted me. I shall no longer abide withthee, but shall go where I came from. O thou of beautiful thighs, Ibelieve 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 metwith the insult, far less should I, a virtuous person, or those that arelike 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 thatthy virtue may not sustain any loss.'
"The Rishi Jaratkaru, great in ascetic merit, possessed with anger anddesirous of forsaking his spouse, thus addressed, spake unto his wife,saying, O thou fair one, never have I spoken a falsehood. Therefore, go Ishall. This was also settled between ourselves. O amiable one, I havepassed 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, itbehoveth thee not to grieve for me.'
"Thus addressed Jaratkaru, the fair sister of Vasuki, of faultlessfeatures, filled with anxiety and sorrow, having mustered sufficientcourage and patience, though her heart was still quaking, then spake untoRishi Jaratkaru. Her words were obstructed with tears and her face waspale with fear. And the palms of her hands were joined together, and hereyes were bathed in tears. And she said, 'It behoveth thee not to leaveme without a fault. Thou treadest over the path of virtue. I too havebeen in the same path, with heart fixed on the good of my relatives. Obest of Brahmanas, the object for which I was bestowed on thee hath notbeen accomplished yet. Unfortunate that I am, what shall Vasuki say untome? O excellent one, the offspring desired of by my relatives afflictedby a mother's curse, do not yet appear! The welfare of my relativesdependeth on the acquisition of offspring from thee. And in order that myconnection with thee may not be fruitless, O illustrious Brahmana, movedby the desire of doing good to my race do I entreat thee. O excellentone, 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 wifeJaratkaru these words that were proper and suitable to the occasion. Andhe said, 'O fortunate one, the being thou hast conceived, even like untoAgni himself is a Rishi of soul highly virtuous, and a master of theVedas 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.'"
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 hadhappened. And the prince of snakes, hearing the calamitous news, spakeunto 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, ason be born, then he, possessed of energy, will save us all from thesnake-sacrifice. The Grandsire had said so, of old, in the midst of thegods. O fortunate one, hast thou conceived from thy union with that bestof Rishis? My heart's desire is that my bestowal of thee on that wise onemay not be fruitless. Truly, it is not proper for me to ask thee aboutthis. But from the gravity of the interests I ask thee this. Knowing alsothe obstinacy of thy lord, ever engaged in severe penances, I shall notfollow him, for he may curse me. Tell me in detail all that thy lord, Oamiable one, hath done, and extract that terribly afflicting dart thatlies implanted for a long time past in my heart.'
"Jaratkaru, thus addressed, consoling Vasuki, the king of the snakes, atlength replied, saying, 'Asked by me about offspring, the high-souled andmighty ascetic said, 'There is,'--and then he went away. I do notremember 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? Hesaid, 'Thou shouldst not grieve, O daughter of the snake race, about theintended result of our union. A son shall be born to thee, resplendent asthe blazing sun.' O brother, having said this to me, my husband ofascetic wealth went away--Therefore, let the deep sorrow cherished in thyheart 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, theembryo endued with great splendour, began to develop, like the moon inthe heavens in the bright fortnight.
And in due time, the sister of the snakes, O Brahmana, gave birth to ason of the splendour of a celestial child, who became the reliever of thefears of his ancestors and maternal relatives. The child grew up there inthe house of the king of the snakes. He studied the Vedas and theirbranches with the ascetic Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu. And though but aboy, his vows were rigid. And he was gifted with great intelligence, andwith the several attributes of virtue, knowledge, freedom from theworld's indulgences, and saintliness. And the name by which he was knownto the world was Astika. And he was known by the name of Astika (whoeveris) because his father had gone to the woods, saying. 'There is', when hewas 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 waslike 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 allthe snakes.'"
SECTION XLIX
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'Tell me again, in detail,--all that king Janamejaya hadasked his ministers about his father's ascension to heaven.'
'Sauti said, 'O Brahmana, hear all that the king asked his ministers, andall that they said about the death of Parikshit.'
"Janamejaya asked, 'Know ye all that befell my father. How did thatfamous king, in time, meet with his death? Hearing from you the incidentsof my father's life in detail, I shall ordain something, if it be for thebenefit of the world. Otherwise, I shall do nothing.'
'The minister replied, 'Hear, O monarch, what thou hast asked, viz., anaccount of thy illustrious father's life, and how also that king of kingsleft this world. Thy father was virtuous and high-souled, and alwaysprotected his people. O, hear, how that high-souled one conducted himselfon earth. Like unto an impersonation of virtue and justice, the monarch,cognisant of virtue, virtuously protected the four orders, each engagedin the discharge of their specified duties. Of incomparable prowess, andblessed with fortune, he protected the goddess Earth. There was none whohated him and he himself hated none. Like unto Prajapati (Brahma) he wasequally disposed towards all creatures. O monarch, Brahmanas andKshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, all engaged contentedly in thepractice of their respective duties, were impartially protected by thatking. Widows and orphans, the maimed and the poor, he maintained. Ofhandsome features, he was unto all creatures like a second Soma.Cherishing his subjects and keeping them contented, blessed with goodfortune, truth-telling, of immense prowess, he was the disciple ofSaradwat in the science of arms. And, O Janamejaya, thy father was dearunto Govinda. Of great fame, he was loved by all men. And he was born inthe womb of Uttara when the Kuru race was almost extinct. And, therefore,the mighty son of Abhimanyu came to be called Parikshit (born in anextinct line). Well-versed in the interpretation of treatises on theduties of kings, he was gifted with every virtue. With passions undercomplete control, intelligent, possessing a retentive memory, thepractiser of all virtues, the conqueror of his six passions of powerfulmind, surpassing all, and fully acquainted with the science of moralityand political science, the father had ruled over these subjects for sixtyyears. And he then died, mourned by all his subjects. And, after him, Ofirst of men, thou hast acquired this hereditary kingdom of the Kurus forthe last thousand years. Thou wast installed while a child, and art thusprotecting every creature.'
"Janamejaya said, 'There hath not been born in our race a king who hathnot sought the good of his subjects or been loved by them. Beholdespecially the conduct of my grandsires ever engaged in greatachievements. How did my father, blessed with many virtues, meet with hisdeath? Describe everything to me as it happened. I am desirous of hearingit from you!'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus directed by the monarch, those councillors, eversolicitous of the good of the king, told him everything exactly as it hadoccurred.'
'And the councillors said, 'O king, that father of thine, that protectorof the whole earth, that foremost of all persons obedient to thescriptures, became addicted to the sports of the field, even as Pandu ofmighty arms, that foremost of all bearers of the bow in battle. He madeover to us all the affairs of state from the most trivial to the mostimportant. One day, going into the forest, he pierced a deer with anarrow. And having pierced it he followed it quickly on foot into the deepwoods, armed with sword and quiver. He could not, however, come upon thelost deer. Sixty years of age and decrepit, he was soon fatigued andbecame hungry. He then saw in the deep woods a high-souled Rishi. TheRishi was then observing the vow of silence. The king asked him about thedeer, but, though asked, he made no reply. At last the king, alreadytired with exertion and hunger, suddenly became angry with that Rishisitting motionless like a piece of wood in observance of his vow ofsilence. Indeed, the king knew not that he was a Muni observing the vowof silence. Swayed by anger, thy father insulted him. O excellent one ofthe Bharata race, the king, thy father taking up from the ground with theend of his bow a dead snake placed it on the shoulders of that Muni ofpure soul. But the Muni spake not a word good or bad and was withoutanger. He continued in the same posture, bearing the dead snake.'"
SECTION L
(Astika Parva continued)
'Sauti continued, 'The ministers said, 'That king of kings then, spentwith hunger and exertion, and having placed the snake upon the shouldersof that Muni, came back to his capital. The Muni had a son, born of acow, of the name of Sringin. He was widely known, possessed of greatprowess and energy, and very wrathful. Going (every day) to his preceptorhe was in the habit of worshipping him. Commanded by him, Sringin wasreturning home, when he heard from a friend of his about the insult ofhis father by thy parent. And, O tiger among kings, he heard that hisfather, without having committed any fault, was bearing, motionless likea statue, upon his shoulders a dead snake placed thereon. O king, theRishi insulted by thy father was severe in ascetic penances, the foremostof Munis, the controller of passions, pure, and ever engaged in wonderfulacts. His soul was enlightened with ascetic penances, and his organs andtheir functions were under complete control. His practices and his speechwere both very nice. He was contented and without avarice. He was withoutmeanness of any kind and without envy. He was old and used to observe thevow of silence. And he was the refuge whom all creatures might seek indistress.
"Such was the Rishi insulted by thy father. The son, however, of thatRishi, in wrath, cursed thy father. Though young in years, the powerfulone was old in ascetic splendour. Speedily touching water, he spake,burning as it were with spiritual energy and rage, these words inallusion to thy father, 'Behold the power of my asceticism! Directed bymy words, the snake Takshaka of powerful energy and virulent poison,shall, within seven nights hence, burn, with his poison the wretch thathath placed the dead snake upon my un-offending father.' And having saidthis, he went to where his father was. And seeing his father he told himof his curse. The tiger among Rishis thereupon sent to thy father adisciple of his, named Gaurmukha, of amiable manners and possessed ofevery virtue. And having rested a while (after arrival at court) he toldthe king everything, saying in the words of his master, 'Thou hast beencursed, O king, by my son. Takshaka shall burn thee with his poison!Therefore, O king, be careful.' O Janamejaya, hearing those terriblewords, thy father took every precaution against the powerful snakeTakshaka.
"And when the seventh day had arrived, a Brahmana Rishi, named Kasyapa,desired to come to the monarch. But the snake Takshaka saw Kasyapa. Andthe prince of snakes spake unto Kasyapa without loss of time, saying,'Where dost thou go so quickly, and what is the business on which thougoest?' Kasyapa replied, saying, 'O Brahmana, I am going whither kingParikshit, that best of the Kurus, is. He shall today be burnt by thepoison of the snake Takshaka. I go there quickly in order to cure him, infact, in order that, protected by me, the snake may not bite him todeath.' Takshaka answered, saying, 'Why dost thou seek to revive the kingto be bitten by me? I am that Takshaka. O Brahmana, behold the wonderfulpower of my poison. Thou art incapable of reviving that monarch when bitby me.' So saying, Takshaka, then and there, bit a lord of the forest (abanian tree). And the banian, as soon as it was bit by the snake, wasconverted into ashes. But Kasyapa, O king, revived it. Takshaka thereupontempted him, saying, 'Tell me thy desire.' And Kasyapa, too, thusaddressed, spake again unto Takshaka, saying, 'I go there from desire ofwealth.' And Takshaka, thus addressed, then spake unto the high-souledKasyapa in these soft words, 'O sinless one, take from me more wealththan what thou expectest from that monarch, and go back!' And Kasyapa,that foremost of men, thus addressed by the snake, and receiving from himas much wealth as he desired, wended his way back.
"And Kasyapa going back, Takshaka, approaching in disguise, blasted, withthe fire of his poison, thy virtuous father, the first of kings, thenstaying in his mansion with all precautions. And after that, thou wast, Otiger 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 theaccount is. And hearing all about the discomfiture of thy royal father,and of the insult to the Rishi Utanka, decide thou that which shouldfollow!
'Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, that chastiser of enemies, then spakeupto all his ministers. And he said, 'When did ye learn all that happenedupon that, banian reduced to ashes by Takshaka, and which, wonderful asit is, was afterwards revived by Kasyapa? Assuredly, my father could nothave died, for the poison could have been neutralised by Kasyapa with hismantras. That worst of snakes, of sinful soul, thought within his mindthat if Kasyapa resuscitated the king bit by him, he, Takshaka, would bean object of ridicule in the world owing to the neutralisation of hispoison. Assuredly, having thought so, he pacified the Brahmana. I havedevised a way, however, of inflicting punishment upon him. I like toknow, however, what ye saw or heard, what happened in the deep solitudeof the forest,--viz., the words of Takshaka and the speeches of Kasyapa.Having known it, I shall devise the means of exterminating the snakerace.'
"The ministers said, 'Hear, O monarch of him who told us before of themeeting between that foremost Brahmana and that prince of snakes in thewoods. A certain person, O monarch, had climbed up that tree containingsome 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 ofkings, he was revived with the tree by the power of the Brahmana. Thatman, a Brahmana's menial, having come to us, represented fully everythingas 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 tigeramong kings, ordain that which should follow.'
"Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, having listened to the words of hisministers, was sorely afflicted with grief, and began to weep. And themonarch began to squeeze his hands. And the lotus-eyed king began tobreathe a long and hot breath, shed tears, and shrieked aloud. Andpossessed with grief and sorrow, and shedding copious tears, and touchingwater according to the form, the monarch spake. And reflecting for amoment, as if settling something in his mind, the angry monarch,addressing all ministers, said these words.
'I have heard your account of my father's ascension to heaven. Know yenow what my fixed resolve is. I think no time must be lost in avengingthis injury upon the wretch Takshaka that killed my father. He burnt myfather making Sringin only a secondary cause. From malignity alone hemade Kasyapa return. If that Brahmana had arrived, my father assuredlywould have lived. What would he have lost if the king had revived by thegrace of Kasyapa and the precautionary measures of his ministers? Fromignorance of the effects of my wrath, he prevented Kasyapa--thatexcellent of Brahmanas--whom he could not defeat, from coming to myfather with the desire of reviving him. The act of aggression is great onthe part of the wretch Takshaka who gave wealth unto that Brahmana inorder that he might not revive the king. I must now avenge myself on myfather's enemy to please myself, the Rishi Utanka and you all.'"
SECTION LI
(Astika Parva continued)
'Sauti said, 'King Janamejaya having said so, his ministers expressedtheir approbation. And the monarch then expressed his determination toperform a snake-sacrifice. And that lord of the Earth--that tiger of theBharata race--the son of Parikshit, then called his priest and Ritwiks.And accomplished in speech, he spake unto them these words relating tothe accomplishment of his great task. 'I must avenge myself on the wretchTakshaka who killed my father. Tell me what I must do. Do you know anyact by which I may cast into the blazing fire the snake Takshaka with hisrelatives? I desire to burn that wretch even as he burnt, of yore, by thefire of his poison, my father.'
'The chief priest answered, 'There is, O king, a great sacrifice for theedevised by the gods themselves. It is known as the snake-sacrifice, andis read of in the Puranas. O king, thou alone canst accomplish it, and noone else. Men versed in the Puranas have told us, there is such asacrifice.'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, the king, O excellent one, thoughtTakshaka to be already burnt and thrown into the blazing mouth of Agni,the eater of the sacrificial butter. The king then said unto thoseBrahmanas versed in mantras, 'I shall make preparations for thatsacrifice. Tell me the things that are necessary.' And the king'sRitwiks, O excellent Brahmana, versed in the Vedas and acquainted withthe rites of that sacrifice measured, according to the scriptures, theland for the sacrificial platform. And the platform was decked withvaluable articles and with Brahmanas. And it was full of precious thingsand paddy. And the Ritwika sat upon it at ease. And after the sacrificialplatform had been thus constructed according to rule and as desired, theyinstalled the king at the snake-sacrifice for the attainment of itsobject. And before the commencement of the snake-Sacrifice that was tocome, there occurred this very important incident foreboding obstructionto the sacrifice. For when the sacrificial platform was beingconstructed, a professional builder of great intelligence and well-versedin the knowledge of laying foundations, a Suta by caste, well-acquaintedwith the Puranas, said, 'The soil upon which and the time at which themeasurement for the sacrificial platform has been made, indicate thatthis sacrifice will not be completed, a Brahmana becoming the reasonthereof.' Hearing this, the king, before his installation, gave orders tohis gate-keepers not to admit anybody without his knowledge."
SECTION LII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'The snake-sacrifice then commenced according to due form.And the sacrificial priests, competent in their respective dutiesaccording to the ordinance, clad in black garments and their eyes redfrom contact with smoke, poured clarified butter into the blazing fire,uttering the appropriate mantras. And causing the hearts of all thesnakes to tremble with fear, they poured clarified butter into the mouthof Agni uttering the names of the snakes. And the snakes thereupon beganto fall into the blazing fire, benumbed and piteously calling upon oneanother. And swollen and breathing hard, and twining each other withtheir heads and tails, they came in large numbers and fell into the fire.The white, the black, the blue, the old and the young--all fell alikeinto the fire, uttering various cries. Those measuring a krosa, and thosemeasuring a yojana, and those of the measure of a gokarna, fellcontinuously with great violence into that first of all fires. Andhundreds and thousands and tens of thousands of snakes, deprived of allcontrol over their limbs, perished on that occasion. And amongst thosethat perished, there were some that were like horses, other like trunksof elephants, and others of huge bodies and strength like maddenedelephants Of various colours and virulent poison, terrible and lookinglike maces furnished with iron-spikes, of great strength, ever inclinedto bite, the snakes, afflicted with their mother's curse, fell into thefire.'"
SECTION LIII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka asked, 'What great Rishis became the Ritwiks at thesnake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava line? Who alsobecame the Sadasyas in that terrible snake-sacrifice, so frightful to thesnakes, and begetting such sorrow in them? It behoveth thee to describeall these in detail, so that, O son of Suta, we may know who wereacquainted with the rituals of the snake-sacrifice.'
"Sauti replied, 'I will recite the names of those wise ones who becamethe monarch's Ritwiks and Sadasyas. The Brahmana Chandabhargava becamethe Hotri in that sacrifice. He was of great reputation, and was born inthe race of Chyavana and was the foremost of those acquainted with theVedas. The learned old Brahmana, Kautsa, became the Udgatri, the chanterof the Vedic hymns. Jaimini became the Brahmana, and Sarngarva andPingala the Adhvaryus, Vyasa with his son and disciples, and Uddalaka,Pramataka, Swetaketu, Pingala, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya,Kundajathara, the Brahmana Kalaghata, Vatsya, old Srutasravas everengaged in japa and the study of the Vedas. Kohala Devasarman, Maudgalya,Samasaurava, and many other Brahmanas who had got through the Vedasbecame the Sadasyas at that sacrifice of the son of Parikshit.
"When the Ritwiks in that snake-sacrifice began to pour clarified butterinto the fire, terrible snakes, striking fear into every creature, beganto fall into it. And the fat and the marrow of the snakes thus fallinginto the fire began to flow in rivers. And the atmosphere was filled withan insufferable stench owing to the incessant burning of the snakes. Andincessant also were the cries of the snakes fallen into the fire andthose in the air about to fall into it.
'Meanwhile, Takshaka, that prince of snakes, as soon as he heard thatking Janamejaya was engaged in the sacrifice, went to the palace ofPurandara (Indra). And that best of snakes, having represented all thathad taken place, sought in terror the protection of Indra after havingacknowledged his fault. And Indra, gratified, told him, 'O prince ofsnakes, O Takshaka, here thou hast no fear from that snake-sacrifice. TheGrandsire was pacified by me for thy sake. Therefore, thou hast no fear.Let this fear of thy heart be allayed.'
Sauti continued, 'Thus encouraged by him, that best of snakes began todwell in Indra's abode in joy and happiness. But Vasuki, seeing that thesnakes were incessantly falling into the fire and that his family wasreduced to only a few, became exceedingly sorry. And the king of thesnakes was afflicted with great grief, and his heart was about to break.And summoning his sister, he spake unto her, saying, 'O amiable one, mylimbs are burning and I no longer see the points of the heavens. I amabout to fall down from loss of consciousness. My mind is turning, mysight is falling and my heart is breaking. Benumbed, I may fall todayinto that blazing fire! This sacrifice of the son of Parikshit is for theextermination of our race. It is evident I also shall have to go to theabode of the king of the dead. The time is come, O my sister, on accountof which thou wert bestowed by me on Jaratkaru to protect us with ourrelatives. O best of the women of the snake race, Astika will put an endto the sacrifice that is going on. The Grandsire told me this of old.Therefore, O child, solicit thy dear son who is fully conversant with theVedas and regarded even by the old, for the protection of myself and alsoof those dependent on me."'
SECTION LIV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Then the snake-dame Jaratkaru, calling her own son, toldhim the following words according to the directions of Vasuki, the kingof the snakes. 'O son, the time is come for the accomplishment of thatobject for which I was bestowed on thy father by my brother. Therefore,do thou that which should be done.'
"Astika asked, 'Why wert thou, O mother, bestowed on my father by myuncle? Tell me all truly so that on hearing it, I may do what is proper.'
"Then Jaratkaru, the sister of the king of the snakes, herself unmoved bythe general distress, and even desirous of the welfare of her relatives,said unto him, 'O son, it is said that the mother of all the snakes isKadru. Know thou why she cursed in anger her sons.' Addressing the snakesshe said, 'As ye have refused to falsely represent Uchchaihsravas, theprince of horses, for bringing about Vinata's bondage according to thewager, therefore, shall he whose charioteer is Vayu burn you all inJanamejaya's sacrifice. And perishing in that sacrifice, ye shall go tothe region of the unredeemed spirits.' The Grandsire of all the worldsspake unto her while uttering this curse, 'Be it so,' and thus approvedof her speech. Vasuki, having heard that curse and then the words of theGrandsire, sought the protection of the gods, O child, on the occasionwhen the amrita was being churned for. And the gods, their objectfulfilled, for they had obtained the excellent amrita, with Vasuki ahead,approached the Grandsire. And all the gods, with king Vasuki, sought toincline Him who was born of the lotus to be propitious, so that the cursemight be made abortive.'
"And the gods said, 'O Lord, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, is sorry onaccount of his relatives. How may his mother's curse prove abortive?'
"Brahman thereupon replied, saying, 'Jaratkaru will take unto himself awife of the name of Jaratkaru; the Brahmana born of her will relieve thesnakes.'
"Vasuki, the best of snakes, hearing those words, bestowed me, O thou ofgodlike looks, on thy high-souled father some time before thecommencement of the sacrifice. And from that marriage thou art born ofme. That time has come. It behoveth thee to protect us from this danger.It behoveth thee to protect my brother and myself from the fire, so thatthe object, viz., our relief, for which I was bestowed on thy wisefather, may not be unfulfilled. What dost thou think, O son?'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, Astika said unto his mother, 'Yes, Iwill.' And he then addressed the afflicted Vasuki, and as if infusinglife into him, said, 'O Vasuki, thou best of snakes, thou great being,truly do I say, I shall relieve thee from that curse. Be easy, O snake!There is no fear any longer. I shall strive earnestly so that good maycome! Nobody hath ever said that my speech, even in jest, hath provedfalse. Hence on serious occasions like this, I need not say anythingmore, O uncle, going thither today I shall gratify, with words mixed withblessings, the monarch Janamejaya installed at the sacrifice, so that, Oexcellent one, the sacrifice may stop. O highminded one, O king of thesnakes, believe all that I say. Believe me, my resolve can never beunfulfilled.'
"And Vasuki then said, 'O Astika, my head swims and my heart breaks. Icannot discern the points of the earth, as I am afflicted with a mother'scurse.'
"And Astika said, 'Thou best of snakes, it behoveth thee not to grieveany longer. I shall dispel this fear of thine from the blazing fire. Thisterrible punishment, capable of burning like the fire at the end of theYuga, I shall extinguish. Nurse not thy fear any longer.'
"Sauti continued, 'Then that best of Brahmanas, Astika, quelling theterrible fear of the Vasuki's heart, and taking it, as it were, onhimself, wended, for the relief of the king of the snakes, with speed toJanamejaya's sacrifice blessed with every merit. And Astika having gonethither, beheld the excellent sacrificial compound with numerous Sadasyason it whose splendour was like unto that of the Sun or Agni. But thatbest of Brahmanas was refused admittance by the door-keepers. And themighty ascetic gratified them, being desirous of entering the sacrificialcompound. And that best of Brahmanas, that foremost of all virtuous men,having entered the excellent sacrificial compound, began to adore theking of infinite achievements, Ritwiks, the Sadasyas, and also the sacredfire.'"
SECTION LV
(Astika Parva continued)
"Astika said, 'Soma and Varuna and Prajapati performed sacrifices of oldin Prayaga. But thy sacrifice, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son ofParikshit, is not inferior to any of those. Let those dear unto us beblessed! Sakra performed a hundred sacrifices. But this sacrifice ofthine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, is fullyequal to ten thousand sacrifices of Sakra. Let those dear unto us beblessed! Like the sacrifice of Yama, of Harimedha, or of king Rantideva,is the sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son ofParikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like the sacrifice of Maya,of king Sasavindu, or of king Vaisravana, is this sacrifice of thine, Oforemost one of Bharata's race, O son of Satyavati, in which he himselfwas the chief priest, is this sacrifice of Nriga, of Ajamida, of the sonof Dasaratha, is this sacrifice of thine, O foremost one of Bharata'srace, O son of Parikshit. Let those dear unto us be blessed! Like thesacrifice of king Yudhishthira, the son of a god and belonging to Ajamidarace, heard of (even) in the heavens, is this sacrifice of thine. Oforemost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit, let those dear untous be blessed! Like the sacrifice of Krishna (Dwaipayana), the son ofSatyavati, in which he himself was the chief priest, is this sacrifice ofthine, O foremost one of Bharata's race, O son of Parikshit Let thosedear unto us be blessed! These (Ritwiks and Sadasyas) that are hereengaged in making thy sacrifice, like unto that of the slayer of Vritra,are of splendour equal to that of the sun. There now remains nothing forthem to know, and gifts made to them become inexhaustible (in merit). Itis my conviction that there is no Ritwik in all the worlds who is equalto thy Ritwik, Dwaipayana. His disciples, becoming Ritwiks, competent fortheir duties, travel over the earth. The high-souled bearer of libation(viz., Agni), called also Vibhavasu and Chitrabhanu, having gold for hisvital seed and having his path, marked by black smoke, blazing up withflames inclined to the right, beareth these thy libations of clarifiedbutter to the gods. In this world of men there is no other monarch equalto thee in the protection of subjects. I am ever well-pleased with thyabstinence. Indeed, thou art either Varuna, or Yama, the god of Justice.Like Sakra himself, thunderbolt in hand, thou art, in this world, theprotector of all creatures. In this earth there is no man so great asthou and no monarch who is thy equal in sacrifice. Thou art likeKhatwanga, Nabhaga, and Dilipa. In prowess thou art like Yayati andMandhatri. In splendour equal to the sun, and of excellent vows, thou artO monarch, like Bhishma! Like Valmiki thou art of energy concealed. LikeVasishtha thou hast controlled thy wrath. Like Indra is thy lordship. Thysplendour also shines like that of Narayana. Like Yama art thouconversant with the dispensation of justice. Thou art like Krishnaadorned with every virtue. Thou art the home of the good fortune thatbelongs to the Vasus. Thou art also the refuge of the sacrifices. Instrength thou art equal to Damvodbhava. Like Rama (the son of Jamadagni)thou art conversant with the scriptures and arms. In energy thou artequal to Aurva and Trita. Thou inspirest terror by thy looks likeBhagiratha.'
"Sauti said, 'Astika, having thus adored them, gratified them all, viz.,the king, the Sadasyas, the Ritwiks and the sacrificial fire. And kingJanamejaya beholding the signs and indications manifested all around,addressed them as follows.'"
SECTION LVI
(Astika Parva continued)
Janamejaya said, 'Though this one is but a boy, he speaks yet like a wiseold man. He is not a boy but one wise and old. I think, I desire tobestow on him a boon. Therefore, ye Brahmanas, give me the necessarypermission.'
"The Sadasyas said, 'A Brahmana, though a boy, deserves the respect ofkings. The learned ones do more so. This boy deserves every desire of hisbeing fulfilled by thee, but not before Takshaka comes with speed.'
"Sauti continued, 'The king, being inclined to grant the Brahmana a boon,said 'Ask thou a boon.' The Hotri, however, being rather displeased,said, 'Takshaka hath not come as yet into this sacrifice.'
"Janamejaya replied, 'Exert ye to the best of your might, so that thissacrifice of mine may attain completion, and Takshaka also may soon comehere. He is my enemy.'
"The Ritwiks replied, 'As the scriptures declare unto us, and as the firealso saith, O monarch, (it seems that) Takshaka is now staying in theabode of Indra, afflicted with fear.'
"Sauti continued, 'The illustrious Suta named Lohitaksha also, conversantwith the Puranas, had said so before.
"Asked by the king on the present occasion he again told the monarch,'Sire, it is even so as the Brahmanas have said--Knowing the Puranas, Isay, O monarch, that Indra hath granted him this boon, saying, 'Dwellwith me in concealment, and Agni shall not burn thee.'
'Sauti continued, 'Hearing this, the king installed in the sacrificebecame very sorry and urged the Hotri to do his duty. And as the Hotri,with mantras, began to pour clarified butter into the fire Indra himselfappeared on the scene. And the illustrious one came in his car, adornedby all the gods standing around, followed by masses of clouds, celestialsingers, and the several bevies of celestial dancing girls. And Takshakaanxious with fear, hid himself in the upper garment of Indra and was notvisible. Then the king in his anger again said unto his mantra-knowingBrahmanas these words, bent upon the destruction of Takshaka, 'If thesnake Takshaka be in the abode of Indra, cast him into the fire withIndra himself.'
'Sauti continued, 'Urged thus by the king Janamejaya about Takshaka, theHotri poured libations, naming that snake then staying there. And even asthe libations were poured, Takshaka, with Purandara himself, anxious andafflicted, became visible in a moment in the skies. Then Purandara,seeing that sacrifice, became much alarmed, and quickly casting Takshakaoff, went back to his own abode. After Indra had gone away, Takshaka, theprince of snakes, insensible with fear, was by virtue of the mantras,brought near enough the flames of the sacrificial fire.'
"The Ritwiks then said, 'O king of kings, the sacrifice of thine is beingperformed duly. It behoveth thee, O Lord, to grant a boon now to thisfirst of Brahmanas.'
"Janamejaya then said, 'Thou immeasurable one of such handsome andchild-like features, I desire to grant thee a worthy boon. Therefore, askthou that which thou desirest in thy heart. I promise thee, that I willgrant it even if it be ungrantable.'
'The Ritwiks said, 'O monarch, behold, Takshaka is soon coming under thycontrol! His terrible cries, and loud roar is being heard. Assuredly, thesnake hath been forsaken by the wielder of thunder. His body beingdisabled by your mantras, he is falling from heaven. Even now, rolling inthe skies, and deprived of consciousness, the prince of snakes cometh,breathing loudly.'
'Sauti continued, 'While Takshaka, the prince of snakes was about to fallinto the sacrificial fire, during those few moments Astika spoke asfollows, 'O Janamejaya, if thou wouldst grant me a boon, let thissacrifice of thine come to an end and let no more snakes fall into thefire.'
'O Brahmana, the son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika, becameexceedingly sorry and replied unto Astika thus, 'O illustrious one, gold,silver, kine, whatever other possessions thou desirest I shall give untothee. But let not my sacrifice come to an end.'
"Astika thereupon replied, 'Gold, silver or kine, I do not ask of thee, Omonarch! But let thy sacrifice be ended so that my maternal relations berelieved.'
"Sauti continued, 'The son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika,repeatedly said this unto that foremost of speakers, 'Best of theBrahmanas, ask some other boon. O, blessed be thou!' But, O thou ofBhrigu's race, he did not beg any other boon. Then all the Sadasyasconversant with the Vedas told the king in one voice, 'Let the Brahmanareceive his boon!'"
SECTION LVII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Saunaka said, 'O son of a Suta, I desire to hear the names of all thosesnakes that fell into the fire of this snake-sacrifice!'
"Sauti replied, 'Many thousands and tens of thousands and billions ofsnakes fell into the fire. O most excellent Brahmana, so great is thenumber that I am unable to count them all. So far, however, as Iremember, hear the names I mention of the principal snakes cast into thefire. Hear first the names of the principal ones of Vasuki's race alone,of colour blue, red and white of terrible form and huge body and deadlypoison. Helpless and miserable and afflicted with their mother's curse,they fell into the sacrificial fire like libations of butter.
"Kotisa, Manasa, Purna, Cala, Pala Halmaka, Pichchala, Kaunapa, Cakra,Kalavega, Prakalana, Hiranyavahu, Carana, Kakshaka, Kaladantaka--thesesnakes born of Vasuki, fell into the fire. And, O Brahmana, numerousother snakes well-born, and of terrible form and great strength, wereburnt in the blazing fire. I shall now mention those born in the race ofTakshaka. Hear thou their names. Puchchandaka, Mandalaka, Pindasektri,Ravenaka; Uchochikha, Carava, Bhangas, Vilwatejas, Virohana; Sili,Salakara, Muka, Sukumara, Pravepana, Mudgara and Sisuroman, Suroman andMahahanu. These snakes born of Takshaka fell into the fire. And Paravata,Parijata, Pandara, Harina, Krisa, Vihanga, Sarabha, Meda, Pramoda,Sauhatapana--these born in the race of Airavata fell into the fire. Nowhear, O best of Brahmanas, the names of the snakes I mention born in therace of Kauravya: Eraka, Kundala Veni, Veniskandha, Kumaraka, Vahuka,Sringavera, Dhurtaka, Pratara and Astaka. There born in the race ofKauravya fell into the fire. Now hear the names I mention, in order, ofthose snakes endued with the speed of the wind and with virulent poison,born in the race of Dhritarashtra: Sankukarna, Pitharaka, Kuthara,Sukhana, and Shechaka; Purnangada, Purnamukha, Prahasa, Sakuni, Dari,Amahatha, Kumathaka, Sushena, Vyaya, Bhairava, Mundavedanga, Pisanga,Udraparaka, Rishabha, Vegavat, Pindaraka; Raktanga, Sarvasaranga,Samriddha, Patha and Vasaka; Varahaka, Viranaka, Suchitra, Chitravegika,Parasara, Tarunaka, Maniskandha and Aruni.
"O Brahmana, thus I have recited the names of the principal snakes knownwidely for their achievements--I have not been able to name all, thenumber being countless. The sons of these snakes, the sons of those sons,that were burnt having fallen into the fire, I am unable to mention. Theyare so many! Some of three heads, some of seven, others of ten, of poisonlike unto the fire at the end of the yuga and terrible in form,--theywere burnt by thousands!
"Many others, of huge bodies, of great speed, tall as mountain summits,of the length of a yama, of a yojana, and of two yojanas, capable ofassuming at will any form and of mastering at will any degree ofstrength, of poison like unto blazing fire, afflicted by the curse of amother, were burnt in that great 'sacrifice.'"
SECTION LVIII
(Astika Parva, continued)
"Sauti said, 'Listen now to another very wonderful incident in connectionwith Astika. When king Janamejaya was about to gratify Astika by grantingthe boon, the snake (Takshaka), thrown off Indra's hands, remained in midair without actually falling. King Janamejaya thereupon became curious,for Takshaka, afflicted with fear, did not at once fall into the firealthough libations were poured in proper form into the blazingsacrificial Agni in his name.'
"Saunaka said, 'Was it, O Suta, that the mantras of those wise Brahmanaswere not potent; since Takshaka did not fall into the fire?'
"Sauti replied, 'Unto the unconscious Takshaka, that best of snakes,after he had been cast off Indra's hands, Astika had thrice said, 'Stay,''Stay,' 'Stay.' And he succeeded in staying in the skies, with afflictedheart, like a person somehow staying between the welkin and the earth.
"The king then, on being repeatedly urged by his Sadasyas, said, 'Let itbe done as Astika hath said. Let the sacrifice be ended, let the snakesbe safe, let this Astika also be gratified, O Suta, thy words also betrue.' When the boon was granted to Astika, plaudits expressive of joyrang through the air. Thus the sacrifice of the son of Parikshit--thatking of the Pandava race--came to an end. The king Janamejaya of theBharata race was himself pleased, and on the Ritwiks with the Sadasyas,and on all who had come there, the king, bestowed money by hundreds andthousands. And unto Suta Lohitaksha--conversant with the rules ofbuilding and foundations--who had at the commencement said that aBrahmana would be the cause of the interruption of the snake-sacrifice,the king gave much wealth. The king, of uncommon kindness, also gave himvarious things, with food and wearing apparel, according to his desire,and became very much pleased. Then he concluded his sacrifice accordingto the prescribed rites, and after treating him with every respect, theking in joy sent home the wise Astika exceedingly gratified, for he hadattained his object. And the king said unto him, 'Thou must come again tobecome a Sadasya in my great Horse-sacrifice.' And Astika said, 'yes' andthen returned home in great joy, having achieved his great end aftergratifying the monarch. And returning in joy to his uncle and mother andtouching their feet, he recounted to them everything as it had happened.'
"Sauti continued, 'Hearing all he had said, the snakes that had comethither became very much delighted, and their fears were allayed. Theywere much pleased with Astika and asked him to solicit a boon, saying, 'Olearned one, what good shall we do unto thee? We have been very muchgratified, having been all saved by thee. What shall we accomplish forthee, O child!'
"Astika said, 'Let those Brahmanas, and other men, who shall, in themorning or in the evening, cheerfully and with attention, read the sacredaccount of this my act, have no fear from any of you.' And the snakes injoy thereupon said, 'O nephew, in the nature of thy boon, let it beexactly as thou sayest. That which thou askest we all shall cheerfullydo, O nephew! And those also that call to mind Astika, Artiman andSunitha, in the day or in the night, shall have no fear of snakes. Heagain shall have no fear of snakes who will say, 'I call to mind thefamous Astika born of Jaratkaru, that Astika who saved the snakes fromthe snake-sacrifice. Therefore, ye snakes of great good fortune, itbehoveth you not to bite me. But go ye away, blessed be ye, or go awaythou snake of virulent poison, and remember the words of Astika after thesnake sacrifice of Janamejaya. That snake who does not cease from bitingafter hearing such mention of Astika, shall have his hood divided ahundredfold like the fruit of Sinsa tree.'
"Sauti continued, 'That first of Brahmanas, thus addressed by theforemost of the chief snakes assembled together, was very much gratified.And the high-souled one then set his heart upon going away.
"And that best of Brahmanas, having saved the snakes from thesnake-sacrifice, ascended to heaven when his time came, leaving sons andgrandsons behind him.
'Thus have I recited to thee this history of Astika exactly as ithappened. Indeed, the recitation of this history dispelleth all fear ofsnakes'
'Sauti continued, 'O Brahmanas, O foremost one of Bhrigu's race, as thyancestor Pramati had cheerfully narrated unto his inquiring son Ruru, andas I had heard it, thus have I recited this blessed history, from thebeginning, of the learned Astika. And, O Brahmana, O oppressor of allenemies, having heard this holy history of Astika that increaseth virtue,and which thou hadst asked me about after hearing the story of theDundubha, let thy ardent curiosity be satisfied.'"
SECTION LIX
(Adivansavatarana Parva)
"Saunaka said, 'O son, thou hast narrated to me this extensive and greathistory commencing from the progeny of Bhrigu. O son of Suta, I have beenmuch gratified with thee. I ask thee again, to recite to me, O son of aSuta, the history composed by Vyasa. The varied and wonderful narrationsthat were recited amongst those illustrious Sadasyas assembled at thesacrifice, in the intervals of their duties of that long-extendingceremony, and the objects also of those narrations, I desire to hear fromthee, O son of a Suta! Recite therefore, all those to me fully.'
'Sauti said, 'The Brahmanas, in the intervals of the duties, spoke ofmany things founded upon the Vedas. But Vyasa recited the wonderful andgreat history called the Bharata.'
"Saunaka said, 'That sacred history called the Mahabharata, spreading thefame of the Pandavas, which Krishna-Dwaipayana, asked by Janamejaya,caused to be duly recited after the completion of the sacrifice. I desireto hear duly. That history hath been born of the ocean-like mind of thegreat Rishi of soul purified by yoga. Thou foremost of good men, reciteit unto me, for, O son of a Suta, my thirst hath not been appeased by allthou hast said.'
'Sauti said, 'I shall recite to thee from the beginning of that great andexcellent history called the Mahabharata composed by Vyasa. O Brahmana,listen to it in full, as I recite it. I myself feel a great pleasure inreciting it.'"
SECTION LX
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
'Sauti said, 'Hearing that Janamejaya was installed in thesnake-sacrifice, the learned Rishi Krishna-Dwaipayana went thither on theoccasion. And he, the grand-father of the Pandavas, was born in an islandof the Yamuna, of the virgin Kali by Sakti's son, Parasara. And theillustrious one developed by his will alone his body as soon as he wasborn, and mastered the Vedas with their branches, and all the histories.And he readily obtained that which no one could obtain by asceticism, bythe study of the Vedas, by vows, by fasts, by progeny, and by sacrifice.And the first of Veda-knowing ones, he divided the Vedas into four parts.And the Brahmana Rishi had knowledge of the supreme Brahma, knew the pastby intuition, was holy, and cherished truth. Of sacred deeds and greatfame, he begot Pandu and Dhritarashtra and Vidura in order to continuethe line of Santanu.
"And the high-souled Rishi, with his disciples all conversant with theVedas and their branches, entered the sacrificial pavilion of the royalsage, Janamejaya. And he saw that the king Janamejaya was seated in thesacrificial region like the god Indra, surrounded by numerous Sadasyas,by kings of various countries whose coronal locks had undergone thesacred bath, and by competent Ritwiks like unto Brahman himself. And thatforemost one of Bharata's race, the royal sage Janamejaya, beholding theRishi come, advanced quickly with his followers and relatives in greatjoy. And the king with the approval of his Sadasyas, gave the Rishi agolden seat as Indra did to Vrihaspati. And when the Rishi, capable ofgranting boons and adored by the celestial Rishis themselves, had beenseated, the king of kings worshipped him according to the rites of thescriptures. And the king then offered him--his grandfather Krishna--whofully deserved them, water to wash his feet and mouth, and the Arghya,and kine. And accepting those offerings from the Pandava Janamejaya andordering the kine also not to be slain, Vyasa became much gratified. Andthe king, after those adorations bowed to his great-grandfather, andsitting in joy asked him about his welfare. And the illustrious Rishialso, casting his eyes upon him and asking him about his welfare,worshipped the Sadasyas, having been before worshipped by them all. Andafter all this, Janamejaya with all his Sadasyas, questioned that firstof Brahmanas, with joined palms as follows:
'O Brahmana, thou hast seen with thy own eyes the acts of the Kurus andthe Pandavas. I am desirous of hearing thee recite their history. Whatwas the cause of the disunion amongst them that was fruitful of suchextraordinary deeds? Why also did that great battle, which caused thedeath of countless creatures occur between all my grandfathers--theirclear sense over-clouded by fate? O excellent Brahmana, tell me all thisin full as everything had happened.'
"Hearing those words of Janamejaya, Krishna-Dwaipayana directed hisdisciple Vaisampayana seated by his side, saying, 'The discord thathappened between the Kurus and the Pandavas of old, narrate all to theking even as thou hast heard from me.'
"Then that blessed Brahmana, at the command of his preceptor recited thewhole of that history unto the king, the Sadasyas, and all the chieftainsthere assembled. And he told them all about the hostility and the utterextinction of the Kurus and the Pandavas.'"
SECTION LXI
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Bowing down in the first place to my preceptor withthe eight parts of my body touching the ground, with devotion andreverence, and with all my heart, worshipping the whole assembly ofBrahmanas and other learned persons, I shall recite in full what I haveheard from the high-souled and great Rishi Vyasa, the first ofintelligent men in the three worlds. And having got it within thy reach,O monarch, thou also art a fit person to hear the composition calledBharata. Encouraged by the command of my preceptor my heart feeleth nofear.
"Hear, O monarch, why that disunion occurred between the Kurus and thePandavas, and why also that exile into the woods immediately proceedingfrom the game at dice prompted by the desire (of the Kurus) for rule. Ishall relate all to thee who askest it thou best of the Bharata race!
"On the death of their father those heroes (the Pandavas) came to theirown home. And within a short time they became well-versed in archery. Andthe Kurus beholding the Pandavas gifted with physical strength, energy,and power of mind, popular also with the citizens, and blessed with goodfortune, became very jealous. Then the crookedminded Duryodhana, andKarna, with (the former's uncle) the son of Suvala began to persecutethem and devise means for their exile. Then the wicked Duryodhana, guidedby the counsels of Sakuni (his maternal uncle), persecuted the Pandavasin various ways for the acquirement of undisputed sovereignty. The wickedson of Dhritarashtra gave poison to Bhima, but Bhima of the stomach ofthe wolf digested the poison with the food. Then the wretch again tiedthe sleeping Bhima on the margin of the Ganges and, casting him into thewater, went away. But when Bhimasena of strong arms, the son of Kuntiwoke, he tore the strings with which he had been tied and came up, hispains all gone. And while asleep and in the water black snakes ofvirulent poison bit him in every part of his body. But that slayer offoes did not still perish. And in all those persecutions of the Pandavasby their cousins, the Kurus, the high-minded Vidura attentively engagedhimself neutralising those evil designs and rescuing the persecuted ones.And as Sakra from the heavens keeps in happiness the world of men, so didVidura always keep the Pandavas from evil.
"When Duryodhana, with various means, both secret and open, found himselfincapable of destroying the Pandavas who were protected by the fates andkept alive for grave future purposes (such as the extermination of theKuru race), then called together his counsellors consisting of Vrisha(Karna), Duhsasana and others, and with the knowledge of Dhritarashtracaused a house of lac to be constructed. And king Dhritarashtra, fromaffection for his children, and prompted by the desire of sovereignty,sent the Pandavas tactfully into Varanavata. And the Pandavas then wentaway with their mother from Hastinapura. And when they were leaving thecity, Vidura gave them some idea of impending danger and how they couldcome out of it.
'The sons of Kunti reached the town of Varanavata and lived there withtheir mother. And, agreeably to the command of Dhritarashtra, thoseillustrious slayers of all enemies lived in the palace of lac, while inthat town. And they lived in that place for one year, protectingthemselves from Purochana very wakefully. And causing a subterraneanpassage to be constructed, acting according to the directions of Vidura,they set fire to that house of lac and burnt Purochana (their enemy andthe spy of Duryodhana) to death. Those slayers of all enemies, anxiouswith fear, then fled with their mother. In the woods beside a fountainthey saw a Rakshasa. But, alarmed at the risk they ran of exposure bysuch an act the Pandavas fled in the darkness, out of fear from the sonsof Dhritarashtra. It was here that Bhima gained Hidimva (the sister ofthe Rakshasa he slew) for a wife, and it was of her that Ghatotkacha wasborn. Then the Pandavas, of rigid vows, and conversant with the Vedaswended to a town of the name of Ekachakra and dwelt there in the guise ofBrahmacharins. And those bulls among men dwelt in that town in the houseof a Brahmana for some time, with temperance and abstinence. And it washere that Bhima of mighty arms came upon a hungry and mighty andman-eating Rakshasa of the name of Vaka. And Bhima, the son of Pandu,that tiger among men, slew him speedily with the strength of his arms andmade the citizens safe and free from fear. Then they heard of Krishna(the princess of Panchala) having become disposed to select a husbandfrom among the assembled princes. And, hearing of it, they went toPanchala, and there they obtained the maiden. And having obtainedDraupadi (as their common wife) they then dwelt there for a year. Andafter they became known, those chastisers of all enemies went back toHastinapura. And they were then told by king Dhritarashtra and the son ofSantanu (Bhishma) as follows: 'In order, O dear ones, dissensions may nottake place between you and your cousins, we have settled thatKhandavaprastha should be your abode. Therefore, go ye, casting off alljealousy, to Khandavaprastha which contains many towns served by manybroad roads, for dwelling there.' And accordingly the Pandavas went, withall their friends and followers, to Khandavaprastha taking with them manyjewels and precious stones. And the sons of Pritha dwelt there for manyyears. And they brought, by force of arms, many a prince under theirsubjection. And thus, setting their hearts on virtue and firmly adheringto truth, unruffled by affluence, calm in deportment, and putting downnumerous evils, the Pandavas gradually rose to power. And Bhima of greatreputation subjugated the East, the heroic Arjuna, the North, Nakula, theWest; Sahadeva that slayer of all hostile heroes, the South. And thishaving been done, their domination was spread over the whole world. Andwith the five Pandavas, each like unto the Sun, the Earth looked as ifshe had six Suns.
"Then, for some reason, Yudhishthira the just, gifted with great energyand prowess, sent his brother Arjuna who was capable of drawing the bowwith the left hand, dearer unto him than life itself, into the woods. AndArjuna, that tiger among men, of firm soul, and gifted with every virtue,lived in the woods for eleven years and months. And during this period,on a certain occasion, Arjuna went to Krishna in Dwaravati. And Vibhatsu(Arjuna) there obtained for a wife the lotus-eyed and sweet-speechedyounger sister of Vasudeva, Subhadra by name. And she became united, ingladness, with Arjuna, the son of Pandu, like Sachi with the great Indra,or Sri with Krishna himself. And then, O best of monarchs, Arjuna, theson of Kunti, with Vasudeva, gratified Agni; the carrier of thesacrificial butter, in the forest of Khandava (by burning the medicinalplants in that woods to cure Agni of his indigestion). And to Arjuna,assisted as he was by Kesava, the task did not at all appear heavy evenas nothing is heavy to Vishnu with immense design and resources in thematter of destroying his enemies. And Agni gave unto the son of Prithathe excellent bow Gandiva and a quiver that was inexhaustible, and awar-chariot bearing the figure of Garuda on its standard. And it was onthis occasion that Arjuna relieved the great Asura (Maya) from fear (ofbeing consumed in the fire). And Maya, in gratitude, built (for thePandavas) a celestial palace decked with every sort of jewels andprecious stones. And the wicked Duryodhana, beholding that building, wastempted with the desire of possessing it. And deceiving Yudhishthira bymeans of the dice played through the hands of the son of Suvala,Duryodhana sent the Pandavas into the woods for twelve years and oneadditional year to be passed in concealment, thus making the period fullthirteen.
"And the fourteenth year, O monarch, when the Pandavas returned andclaimed their property, they did not obtain it. And thereupon war wasdeclared, and the Pandavas, after exterminating the whole race ofKshatriyas and slaying king Duryodhana, obtained back their devastatedkingdom.
"This is the history of the Pandavas who never acted under the influenceof evil passions; and this the account, O first of victorious monarchs ofthe disunion that ended in the loss of their kingdom by the Kurus and thevictory of the Pandavas.'"
SECTION LXII
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
"Janamejaya said, 'O excellent Brahmana, thou hast, indeed, told me, inbrief, the history, called Mahabharata, of the great acts of the Kurus.But, O thou of ascetic wealth, recite now that wonderful narration fully.I feel a great curiosity to hear it. It behoveth thee to recite it,therefore, in full. I am not satisfied with hearing in a nutshell thegreat history. That could never have been a trifling cause for which thevirtuous ones could slay those whom they should not have slain, and forwhich they are yet applauded by men. Why also did those tigers among men,innocent and capable of avenging themselves upon their enemies, calmlysuffer the persecution of the wicked Kurus? Why also, O best ofBrahmanas, did Bhima of mighty arms and of the strength of ten thousandelephants, control his anger, though wronged? Why also did the chasteKrishna, the daughter of Drupada, wronged by those wretches and able toburn them, not burn the sons of Dhritarashtra with her wrathful eyes? Whyalso did the two other sons of Pritha (Bhima and Arjuna) and the two sonsof Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva), themselves injured by the wretched Kurus,follow Yudhishthira who was greatly addicted to the evil habit ofgambling? Why also did Yudhishthira, that foremost of all virtuous men,the son of Dharma himself, fully acquainted with all duties, suffer thatexcess of affliction? Why also did the Pandava Dhananjaya, having Krishnafor his charioteer, who by his arrows sent to the other world thatdauntless host of fighting men (suffer such persecution)? O thou ofascetic wealth, speak to me of all these as they took place, andeverything that those mighty charioteers achieved.'
"Vaisampayana said, 'O monarch, appoint thou a time for hearing it. Thishistory told by Krishna-Dwaipayana is very extensive. This is but thebeginning. I shall recite it. I shall repeat the whole of the compositionin full, of the illustrious and great Rishi Vyasa of immeasurable mentalpower, and worshipped in all the worlds. This Bharata consists of ahundred thousand sacred slokas composed by the son of Satyavati, ofimmeasurable mental power. He that reads it to others, and they that hearit read, attain to the world of Brahman and become equal to the verygods. This Bharata is equal unto the Vedas, is holy and excellent; is theworthiest of all to be listened to, and is a Purana worshipped by theRishis. It contains much useful instruction on Artha and Kama (profit andpleasure). This sacred history maketh the heart desire for salvation.Learned persons by reciting this Veda of Krishna-Dwaipayana to those thatare liberal, truthful and believing, earn much wealth. Sins, such askilling the embryo in the womb, are destroyed assuredly by this. Aperson, however cruel and sinful, by hearing this history, escapes fromall his sins like the Sun from Rahu (after the eclipse is over). Thishistory is called Jaya. It should be heard by those desirous of victory.A king by hearing it may bring the whole world under subjection andconquer all his foes. This history in itself is a mighty act ofpropitiation, a mighty sacrifice productive of blessed fruit. It shouldalways be heard by a young monarch with his queen, for then they beget aheroic son or a daughter to occupy a throne. This history is the high andsacred science of Dharma, Artha, and also of Moksha; it hath been so saidby Vyasa himself of mind that is immeasurable. This history is recited inthe present age and will be recited in the future. They that hear it,read, have sons and servants always obedient to them and doing theirbehests. All sins that are committed by body, word, or mind, immediatelyleave them that hear this history. They who hear, without the spirit offault finding, the story of the birth of the Bharata princes, can have nofear of maladies, let alone the fear of the other world.
"For extending the fame of the high-souled Pandavas and of otherKshatriyas versed in all branches of knowledge, high spirited, andalready known in the world for their achievements, Krishna-Dwaipayana,guided also by the desire of doing good to the world, hath composed thiswork. It is excellent, productive of fame, grants length of life, issacred and heavenly. He who, from desire of acquiring religious merit,causeth this history to be heard by sacred Brahmanas, acquireth greatmerit and virtue that is inexhaustible. He that reciteth the famousgeneration of the Kurus becometh immediately purified and acquireth alarge family himself, and becometh respected in the world. That Brahmanawho regularly studies this sacred Bharata for the four months of therainy season, is cleansed from all his sins. He that has read the Bharatamay be regarded as one acquainted with the Vedas.
"This work presents an account of the gods and royal sages and sacredregenerate Rishis, the sinless Kesava; the god of gods, Mahadeva and thegoddess Parvati; the birth of Kartikeya who sprang from union of Parvatiwith Mahadeva and was reared by many mothers; the greatness of Brahmanasand of kine. This Bharata is a collection of all the Srutis, and is fitto be heard by every virtuous person. That learned man who reciteth it toBrahmanas during the sacred lunations, becometh cleansed of all sins,and, not caring for heaven as it were, attaineth to a union with Brahma.He that causeth even a single foot of this poem to be heard by Brahmanasduring the performance of a Sraddha, maketh that Sraddha inexhaustible,the Pitris becoming ever gratified with the articles once presented tothem. The sins that are committed daily by our senses or the mind, thosethat are committed knowingly or unknowingly by any man, are all destroyedby hearing the Mahabharata. The history of the exalted birth of theBharata princes is called the Mahabharata. He who knoweth this etymologyof the name is cleansed of all his sins. And as this history of theBharata race is so wonderful, that, when recited, it assuredly purifiethmortals from all sins. The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana completed his work inthree years. Rising daily and purifying himself and performing hisascetic devotions, he composed this Mahabharata. Therefore, this shouldbe heard by Brahmanas with the formality of a vow. He who reciteth thisholy narration composed by Krishna (Vyasa) for the hearing of others, andthey who hear it, in whatever state he or they may be, can never beaffected by the fruit of deeds, good or bad. The man desirous ofacquiring virtue should hear it all. This is equivalent to all histories,and he that heareth it always attaineth to purity of heart. Thegratification that one deriveth from attaining to heaven is scarcelyequal to that which one deriveth from hearing this holy history. Thevirtuous man who with reverence heareth it or causeth it to be heard,obtaineth the fruit of the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice. The Bharatais said to be as much a mine of gems as the vast Ocean or the greatmountain Meru. This history is sacred and excellent, and is equivalent tothe Vedas, worthy of being heard, pleasing to the ear, sin-cleansing, andvirtue-increasing. O monarch, he that giveth a copy of the Bharata to onethat asketh for it doth indeed make a present of the whole earth with herbelt of seas. O son of Parikshit, this pleasant narration that givethvirtue and victory I am about to recite in its entirety: listen to it.The sage Krishna-Dwaipayana regularly rising for three years, composedthis wonderful history called Mahabharata. O bull amongst the Bharatamonarchs, whatever is spoken about virtue, wealth, pleasure, andsalvation may be seen elsewhere; but whatever is not contained in this isnot to be found anywhere.'"
SECTION LXIII
(Adivansavatarana Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'There was a king of the name of Uparichara. Thatmonarch was devoted to virtue. He was very much addicted also to hunting.That king of the Paurava race, called also Vasu, conquered the excellentand delightful kingdom of Chedi under instructions from Indra. Some timeafter, the king gave up the use of arms and, dwelling in a secludedretreat, practised the most severe austerities. The gods with Indra attheir head once approached the monarch during this period, believing thathe sought the headship of the gods, by those severe austerities of his.The celestials, becoming objects of his sight, by soft speeches succeededin winning him away from his ascetic austerities.'
"The gods said, 'O lord of the earth, thou shouldst take care so thatvirtue may not sustain a diminution on earth! Protected by thee, virtueitself will in return protect the universe.' And Indra said, 'O king,protect virtue on earth attentively and rigidly. Being virtuous, thoushalt, for all time, behold (in after life) many sacred regions. Andthough I am of Heaven, and thou art of earth, yet art thou my friend anddear to me. And, O king of men, dwell thou in that region on earth whichis delightful, and aboundeth in animals, is sacred, full of wealth andcorn, is well-protected like heaven, which is of agreeable climate,graced with every object of enjoyment, and blessed with fertility. And, Omonarch of Chedi, this thy dominion is full of riches, of gems andprecious stones, and containeth, besides, much mineral wealth. The citiesand towns of this region are all devoted to virtue; the people are honestand contented; they never lie even in jest. Sons never divide theirwealth with their fathers and are ever mindful of the welfare of theirparents. Lean cattle are never yoked to the plough or the cart or engagedin carrying merchandise; on the other hand, they are well-fed andfattened. In Chedi the four orders are always engaged in their respectivevocations. Let nothing be unknown to thee that happens in the threeworlds. I shall give thee a crystal car such as the celestials alone arecapable of carrying the car through mid air. Thou alone, of all mortalson earth, riding on that best of cars, shall course through mid-air likea celestial endued with a physical frame. I shall also give thee atriumphal garland of unfading lotuses, with which on, in battle, thoushall not be wounded by weapons. And, O king, this blessed andincomparable garland, widely known on earth as Indra's garland, shall bethy distinctive badge.
"The slayer of Vritra (Indra) also gave the king, for his gratification,a bamboo pole for protecting the honest and the peaceful. After theexpiry of a year, the king planted it in the ground for the purpose ofworshipping the giver thereof, viz., Sakra. From that time forth, Omonarch, all kings, following Vasu's example, began to plant a pole forthe celebration of Indra's worship. After erecting the pole they deckedit with golden cloth and scents and garlands and various ornaments. Andthe god Vasava is worshipped in due form with such garlands andornaments. And the god, for the gratification of the illustrious Vasu,assuming the form of a swan, came himself to accept the worship thusoffered. And the god, beholding the auspicious worship thus made by Vasu,that first of monarchs, was delighted, and said unto him, 'Those men, andkings also, who will worship me and joyously observe this festival ofmine like the king of Chedi, shall have glory and victory for theircountries and kingdom. Their cities also shall expand and be ever injoy.'
"King Vasu was thus blessed by the gratified Maghavat, the high-souledchief of the gods. Indeed, those men who cause this festivity of Sakra tobe observed with gifts of land, of gems and precious stones, become therespected of the world. And king Vasu, the lord of Chedis bestowing boonsand performing great sacrifices and observing the festivity of Sakra, wasmuch respected by Indra. And from Chedi he ruled the whole worldvirtuously. And for the gratification of Indra, Vasu, the lord of theChedis, observed the festivity of Indra.
"And Vasu had five sons of great energy and immeasurable prowess. And theemperor installed his sons as governors of various provinces.
"And his son Vrihadratha was installed in Magadha and was known by thename of Maharatha. Another son of his was Pratyagraha; and another,Kusamva, who was also called Manivahana. And the two others were Mavella,and Yadu of great prowess and invincible in battle.
"These, O monarch, were the sons of that royal sage of mighty energy. Andthe five sons of Vasu planted kingdoms and towns after their own namesand founded separate dynasties that lasted for long ages.
"And when king Vasu took his seat in that crystal car, with the gift ofIndra, and coursed through the sky, he was approached by Gandharvas andApsaras (the celestial singers and dancers). And as he coursed throughthe upper regions, he was called Uparichara. And by his capital flowed ariver called Suktimati. And that river was once attacked by a life-enduedmountain called Kolahala maddened by lust. And Vasu, beholding the foulattempt, struck the mountain with his foot. And by the indentation causedby Vasu's stamp, the river came out (of the embraces of Kolahala). Butthe mountain begat on the river two children that were twins. And theriver, grateful to Vasu for his having set her free from Kolahala'sembraces, gave them both to Vasu. And the son was made the generalissimoto his forces by Vasu, that best of royal sages and giver of wealth andpunisher of enemies. And the daughter called Girika, was wedded by Vasu.
'And Girika, the wife of Vasu, after her menstrual course, purifyingherself by a bath, represented her state unto her lord. But that very daythe Pitris of Vasu came unto that best of monarchs and foremost of wisemen, and asked him to slay deer (for their Sraddha). And the king,thinking that the command of the Pitris should not be disobeyed, wenta-hunting thinking of Girika alone who was gifted with great beauty andlike unto another Sri herself. And the season being the spring, the woodswithin which the king was roaming, had become delightful like unto thegardens of the king of the Gandharvas himself. There were Asokas andChampakas and Chutas and Atimuktas in abundance: and there were Punnagasand Karnikaras and Vakulas and Divya Patalas and Patalas and Narikelasand Chandanas and Arjunas and similar other beautiful and sacred treesresplendent with fragrant flowers and sweet fruits. And the whole forestwas maddened by the sweet notes of the kokila and echoed with the hum ofmaddened bees. And the king became possessed with desire, and he saw nothis wife before him. Maddened by desire he was roaming hither andthither, when he saw a beautiful Asoka decked with dense foliage, itsbranches covered with flowers. And the king sat at his ease in the shadeof that tree. And excited by the fragrance of the season and the charmingodours of the flowers around, and excited also by the delicious breeze,the king could not keep his mind away from the thought of the beautifulGirika. And beholding that a swift hawk was resting very near to him, theking, acquainted with the subtle truths of Dharma and Artha, went untohim and said, 'Amiable one, carry thou this seed (semen) for my wifeGirika and give it unto her. Her season hath arrived.'
"The hawk, swift of speed, took it from the king and rapidly coursedthrough the air. While thus passing, the hawk was seen by another of hisspecies. Thinking that the first one was carrying meat, the second oneflew at him. The two fought with each other in the sky with their beaks.While they were fighting, the seed fell into the waters of the Yamuna.And in those waters dwelt an Apsara of the higher rank, known by the nameof Adrika, transformed by a Brahmana's curse into a fish. As soon asVasu's seed fell into the water from the claws of the hawk, Adrikarapidly approached and swallowed it at once. That fish was, some timeafter, caught by the fishermen. And it was the tenth month of the fish'shaving swallowed the seed. From the stomach of that fish came out a maleand a female child of human form. The fishermen wondered much, andwending unto king Uparichara (for they were his subjects) told him all.They said, 'O king, these two beings of human shape have been found inthe body of a fish!' The male child amongst the two was taken byUparichara. That child afterwards became the virtuous and truthfulmonarch Matsya.
"After the birth of the twins, the Apsara herself became freed from hercurse. For she had been told before by the illustrious one (who hadcursed her) that she would, while living in her piscatorial form, givebirth to two children of human shape and then would be freed from thecurse. Then, according to these words, having given birth to the twochildren, and been killed by the fishermen, she left her fish-form andassumed her own celestial shape. The Apsara then rose up on the pathtrodden by the Siddhas, the Rishis and the Charanas.
"The fish-smelling daughter of the Apsara in her piscatorial form wasthen given by the king unto the fishermen, saying, 'Let this one be thydaughter.' That girl was known by the name of Satyavati. And gifted withgreat beauty and possessed of every virtue, she of agreeable smiles,owing to contact with fishermen, was for some time of the fishy smell.Wishing to serve her (foster) father she plied a boat on the waters ofthe Yamuna.
"While engaged in this vocation, Satyavati was seen one day by the greatRishi Parasara, in course of his wanderings. As she was gifted with greatbeauty, an object of desire even with an anchorite, and of gracefulsmiles, the wise sage, as soon as he beheld her, desired to have her. Andthat bull amongst Munis addressed the daughter of Vasu of celestialbeauty and tapering thighs, saying, 'Accept my embraces, O blessed one!'Satyavati replied, 'O holy one, behold the Rishis standing on either bankof the river. Seen by them, how can I grant thy wish?'
"Thus addressed by her, the ascetic thereupon created a fog (whichexisted not before and) which enveloped the whole region in darkness. Andthe maiden, beholding the fog that was created by the great Rishiwondered much. And the helpless one became suffused with the blushes ofbashfulness. And she said, 'O holy one, note that I am a maiden under thecontrol of my father. O sinless one, by accepting your embraces myvirginity will be sullied. O best of Brahmanas, my virginity beingsullied, how shall I, O Rishi, be able to return home? Indeed, I shallnot then be able to bear life. Reflecting upon all this, O illustriousone, do that which should be done.' That best of Rishis, gratified withall she said, replied, "Thou shall remain a virgin even if thou grantestmy wish. And, O timid one, O beauteous lady, solicit the boon that thoudesirest. O thou of fair smiles, my grace hath never before provedfruitless.' Thus addressed, the maiden asked for the boon that her bodymight emit a sweet scent (instead of the fish-odour that it had). And theillustrious Rishi thereupon granted that wish of her heart.
"Having obtained her boon, she became highly pleased, and her seasonimmediately came. And she accepted the embraces of that Rishi ofwonderful deeds. And she thenceforth became known among men by the nameof Gandhavati (the sweet-scented one). And men could perceive her scentfrom the distance of a yojana. And for this she was known by another namewhich was Yojanagandha (one who scatters her scent for a yojana allaround). And the illustrious Parasara, after this, went to his own asylum.
"And Satyavati gratified with having obtained the excellent boon inconsequence of which she became sweet-scented and her virginity remainedunsullied conceived through Parasara's embraces. And she brought forththe very day, on an island in the Yamuna, the child begot upon her byParasara and gifted with great energy. And the child, with the permissionof his mother, set his mind on asceticism. And he went away saying, 'Assoon as thou rememberest me when occasion comes, I shall appear untothee.'
"And it was thus that Vyasa was born of Satyavati through Parasara. Andbecause he was born in an island, he was called Dwaipayana (Dwaipa orislandborn). And the learned Dwaipayana, beholding that virtue isdestined to become lame by one leg each yuga (she having four legs inall) and that the period of life and the strength of men followed theyugas, and moved by the desire of obtaining the favour of Brahman and theBrahmanas, arranged the Vedas. And for this he came to be called Vyasa(the arranger or compiler). The boon-giving great one then taughtSumanta, Jaimini, Paila, his son Suka, and Vaisampayana, the Vedas havingthe Mahabharata for their fifth. And the compilation of the Bharata waspublished by him through them separately.
"Then Bhishma, of great energy and fame and of immeasurable splendour,and sprung from the component parts of the Vasus, was born in the womb ofGanga through king Santanu. And there was a Rishi of the name ofAnimandavya of great fame. And he was conversant with the interpretationsof the Vedas, was illustrious, gifted with great energy, and of greatreputation. And, accused of theft, though innocent, the old Rishi wasimpaled. He thereupon summoned Dharma and told him these words, 'In mychildhood I had pierced a little fly on a blade of grass, O Dharma! Irecollect that one sin: but I cannot call to mind any other. I have,however, since practised penances a thousandfold. Hath not that one sinbeen conquered by this my asceticism? And because the killing of aBrahmana is more heinous than that of any other living thing, therefore,hast thou, O Dharma, been sinful. Thou shalt, therefore, be born on earthin the Sudra order.' And for that curse Dharma was born a Sudra in theform of the learned Vidura of pure body who was perfectly sinless. Andthe Suta was born of Kunti in her maidenhood through Surya. And he cameout of his mother's womb with a natural coat of mail and face brightenedby ear-rings. And Vishnu himself, of world-wide fame, and worshipped ofall the worlds, was born of Devaki through Vasudeva, for the benefit ofthe three worlds. He is without birth and death, of radiant splendour,the Creator of the universe and the Lord of all! Indeed, he who is theinvisible cause of all, who knoweth no deterioration, who is theall-pervading soul, the centre round which everything moveth, thesubstance in which the three attributes of Sattwa, Rajas and Tamasco-inhere, the universal soul, the immutable, the material out of whichhath been created this universe, the Creator himself, the controllinglord, the invisible dweller in every object, progenitor of this universeof five elements, who is united with the six high attributes, is thePranava or Om of the Vedas, is infinite, incapable of being moved by anyforce save his own will, illustrious, the embodiment of the mode of lifecalled Sannyasa, who floated on the waters before the creation, who isthe source whence hath sprung this mighty frame, who is the greatcombiner, the uncreate, the invisible essence of all, the greatimmutable, bereft of those attributes that are knowable by the senses,who is the universe itself, without beginning, birth, and decay,--ispossessed of infinite wealth, that Grandsire of all creatures, becameincarnate in the race of the Andhaka-Vrishnis for the increase of virtue.
"And Satyaki and Kritavarma, conversant with (the use of) weaponspossessed of mighty energy, well-versed in all branches of knowledge, andobedient to Narayana in everything and competent in the use of weapons,had their births from Satyaka and Hridika. And the seed of the greatRishi Bharadwaja of severe penances, kept in a pot, began to develop. Andfrom that seed came Drona (the pot-born). And from the seed of Gautama,fallen upon a clump of reeds, were born two that were twins, the motherof Aswatthaman (called Kripi), and Kripa of great strength. Then was bornDhrishtadyumna, of the splendour of Agni himself, from the sacrificialfire. And the mighty hero was born with bow in hand for the destructionof Drona. And from the sacrificial altar was born Krishna (Draupadi)resplendent and handsome, of bright features and excellent beauty. Thenwas born the disciple of Prahlada, viz., Nagnajit, and also Suvala. Andfrom Suvala was born a son, Sakuni, who from the curse of the gods becamethe slayer of creatures and the foe of virtue. And unto him was also borna daughter (Gandhari), the mother of Duryodhana. And both werewell-versed in the arts of acquiring worldly profits. And from Krishnawas born, in the soil of Vichitravirya, Dhritarashtra, the lord of men,and Pandu of great strength. And from Dwaipayana also born, in the Sudracaste, the wise and intelligent Vidura, conversant with both religion andprofit, and free from all sins. And unto Pandu by his two wives were bornfive sons like the celestials. The eldest of them was Yudhishthira. AndYudhishthira was born (of the seed) of Dharma (Yama, the god of justice);and Bhima of the wolf's stomach was born of Marut (the god of wind), andDhananjaya, blessed with good fortune and the first of all wielders ofweapons, was born of Indra; and Nakula and Sahadeva, of handsome featuresand ever engaged in the service of their superiors, were born of the twinAswins. And unto the wise Dhritarashtra were born a hundred sons, viz.,Duryodhana and others, and another, named Yuyutsu, who was born of avaisya woman. And amongst those hundred and one, eleven, viz., Duhsasana,Duhsaha, Durmarshana, Vikarna, Chitrasena, Vivinsati, Jaya, Satyavrata,Purumitra, and Yuyutsu by a Vaisya wife, were all Maharathas (greatcar-warriors). And Abhimanyu was born of Subhadra, the sister of Vasudevathrough Arjuna, and was, therefore, the grandson of the illustriousPandu. And unto the five Pandavas were born five sons by (their commonwife) Panchali. And these princes were all very handsome and conversantwith all branches of knowledge. From Yudhishthira was born Pritivindhya;from Vrikodara, Sutasoma; from Arjuna, Srutakirti; from Nakula, Satanika;and from Sahadeva, Srutasena of great prowess; and Bhima, in the forestbegot on Hidimva a son named Ghatotkacha. And from Drupada was born adaughter Sikhandin who was afterwards transformed into a male child.Sikhandini was so transformed into a male by Yaksha named Sthuna from thedesire of doing her good.
"In that great battle of the Kurus came hundreds of thousands of monarchsfor fighting against one another. The names of the innumerable host I amunable to recount even in ten thousand years. I have named, however, theprincipal ones who have been mentioned in this history.'"
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