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Mahabharata
Astika Parva (IV)
Curse to Parikshit by Shringi. Conversation between Takshaka and Kashyapa. Takshaka's bite. Installation of Janamejaya. Story of Jaratkaru. Birth of Astika. Story of Parikshit. Conversation of Parikshit and ministers.
Sauti said:
Being thus addressed and having heard that his father was bearing a dead snake, the powerful Shringi grew exceedingly angry.
Looking at Krishna, he softly asked him, "Why does my father bear a dead snake?"
Krishna said:
0 dear friend, when Parikshit was roving for the purpose of hunting, he placed the dead snake of the shoulder of your father.
Shringi said :
What harm was done by my father to that miscreant king? Tell me this, 0 Krishna and (you will then) see my ascetic powers.
Krishna said ;
King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, having wounded a fleet stag with an arrow while hunting, chased it alone.
He lost sight of the stag in the wilderness of the forest and seeing your father he accosted him.
But he (your father) was then observing the vow of silence. Oppressed by hunger, thirst and fatigue, the king repeatedly asked your father about the missing deer.
But the Rishi, being then under the vow of silence, did not make any reply. Thereupon the king, becoming angry, placed the snake on his shoulder, taking it up with the end of his bow.
0 Shringi, your father, engaged in devotion, is still in that posture. The king has, however, gone away to his capital (Hastinapur), named after the elephant.
Sauti said :
Having heard that a dead snake had been placed on his father's shoulder, the Rishi's son looked like a blazing fire, his eyes reddened with anger.
Inflamed with anger, the powerful Rishi, touching water, cursed the king thus,
Shringi said:
He who has placed the dead snake on the shoulder of my old and lean father, that miscreant of a king, that insulter of the Brahmanas, the destroyer of the fame of the Kuru race, will be taken within seven days from to-day to the land of Yama by the snake Takshaka, the powerful king of the serpents, stimulated by my words.
Sauti said:
Having thus cursed the king from anger, Shringi went to his father and saw that he was sitting in the cow-shed, the dead snake (was still) on his shoulder.
Seeing that the dead snake was on the shoulder of his father, he was against inflamed with anger.
He shed tears in grief; and addressed his father thus, "O father, hearing the insult offered to you by the miscreant, King Parikshit, I have cursed him from anger. That wretch of the Kurus richly deserves my potent curse. Within seven days from this date the king of snake, Takshaka
Will take the sinner to the fearful house of Death." And the father said to the enraged son,
Shamika said:
O child, I am not pleased with your act. It is not proper for ascetics to act thus. We live in the domains of that king;
We are righteously protected by him and therefore, we should not mind his faults, The reigning kings should always be pardoned by men like us.
0 son, if you destroy Dharma, (piety), Dharma will certainly destroy you. If the king does not protect us, we meet with many afflictions.
0 son, we cannot then perform our religious rites as we desire. Protected by virtuous kings,
We achieve great merits; and a share of it always goes to such kings. Therefore, reigning kings are always to be forgiven;
Specially Parikshit, who, like his grandfather, protects us as a king should protect his subjects.
That penance-practising king was oppressed by hunger and thirst and he did not know that I was observing the vow of silence.
Disasters always befall on a country where there is no king. The king punishes those who grow wicked.
The fear of punishment brings in peace and men thus perform their duties and their rites undisturbed.
The king establishes the kingdom of heaven. The king protects all sacrifices and the sacrifices please the celestial;
The celestial cause rain and rain produces medicinal herbs; the medicinal herbs do immense good to mankind.
Manu said, 'The ruler of the destiny of men is equal to ten Veda-knowing Brahmanas.’
That penance-observing king, oppressed by hunger and thirst, has done this through ignorance of my vow.
Why have you, through childishness, done rashly this unrighteous action? 0 son, that king in no way deserves a curse from us.
Shringi said:
0 father, whether my act was rash or improper, whether you like it or dislike it, the words spoken by me shall never be vain.
0 father, I tell you, this can never be otherwise. I have never spoken a lie even in jest.
Shamika said :
My child, I know, you are greatly powerful and you are very truthful. You have never spoken a falsehood in your life and therefore your curse will never be false.
But the son, even he is grown up, should always be advised by his father, so that adorned with good qualities, he may earn great renown.
You are mere child and therefore, how much more do you stand in need of counsel! You are always engaged in asceticism. Even the anger of illustrious and high-souled men increases with the increase of their powers.
0 best of pious men, considering that you are my son and a mere boy and seeing your rashness, I see I must give you advice.
Live, 0 son, having your mind inclined to peace; live on fruits and roots of the forest. Destroy your anger; but do not destroy the fruits of your asceticism (by giving vent to anger).
Anger diminishes the merits that ascetics acquire with great pains. There is no hope for those who are deprived of virtue.
Peacefulness produces success to the forgiving ascetics. Good come to the forgiving men, both in this world and in the next.
Therefore, you should always live, being forgiving in your temper and self-controlling of your passions. By forgiveness you will attain to worlds that are beyond the reach of even Brahma.
0 my son, having adopted peacefulness, I shall do as much as lies in my power. I shall do this. I shall send words to the king, telling him,
"0 king, you have been cursed by my son, who is a mere child and whose intellect is not yet developed. Seeing your disrespect towards me, (he has done this) in anger."
Sauti said :
That great ascetic, observant of vows, moved by kindness, sent a disciple to Parikshit with proper instructions.
He sent his disciple, named Gaurmukha, a young man of good manners and of ascetic penances, instructing him to enquire first about the welfare of the king and then to communicate the real business.
Going (to Hastinapur) he soon came to the king, the head of the Kuru race. He entered the king's palace, having first sent the notice of his arrival through servant.
The Brahmana, Gaurmukha, was received in all honours. And then after resting for a while, he told the king in the presence of his ministers, the terrible words of Shamika, exactly as he was instructed.
Gaurmukha said :
0 king of kings, there lives within your dominions, a Rishi, named Shamika. He is greatly virtuous, very peaceful, his passions under control and a great ascetic. 0 best of men, a dead snake was placed by you with the end of your bow on the shoulder of this Rishi who was then observing the vow of silence. He himself forgive the act, but his son did not.
0 king of kings, you have been to-day cursed by him without the knowledge of his father. Takshaka will be your death within seven nights.
Shamika repeatedly asked his son to save you, but there is none to falsify his curse.
As he has been unable to pacify his angry son, therefore, 0 king, I have been sent by him to you for your good.
Sauti said:
Having heard these terrible words and recollecting his own sinful act, the king, the descendant of the Kuru race, a great ascetic himself, grew exceedingly sorry.
Having heard that the best of the Rishi (Shamika) had been observing the vow of silence, he was doubly afflicted with sorrow.
Seeing also the great kindness shown to him by the Rishi and recollecting his own great act, the king became very penitent.
The king, who looked like a celestial, did not grieve so much for hearing that he would die, as for having done that (insulting) act to the Rishi.
The king then sent away Gaurmukha, saying "Let the adored Rishi be gracious to me!"
When Gaurmukha had gone away the king in great anxiety consulted with all his ministers without delay.
Having consulted with his ministers, the king himself, wise in counsels, caused a palace to be erected on a pillar, guarded day and night by men.
For his protection, he placed all around the palace, physicians, medicines and Brahmanas skilled in Mantras.
Thus being protected on all sides, the king discharged his royal duties, surrounded by his virtuous ministers.
None could approach that best of kings there (in that palace.) The air even could not go there, being prevented from entering.
When the seventh day came, the best of Brahmanas, Kashyapa, was coming with the intention of treating the king, (if bitten by the snake).
He had heard all that had happened; he had heard that the best of snakes, Takshaka would take the king of Yama's, abode.
He thought, "I will cure the king bitten by the best of the snakes. By this I may gain both wealth and virtue."
The king of the snakes, Takshaka, saw on the way, Kashyapa, going with the intention of cunning the king. He appeared before him in the form of a Brahmana.
Thereupon the king of the snakes spoke to the best of the Rishis, Kashyapa, saying, "Where are you going with such speed? What is the business upon which you are going?
Kashyapa said :
The best of snakes, Takshaka, will to-day burn the chastiser of his enemies, king Parikshit of the Kuru race;
0 amiable man, I am going in haste without loss of time, to curate that king of immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Kuru race, when he will be bitten by the king of snakes, who is as powerful as Agni.
Takshaka said:
0 Brahmana, I am that very Takshaka, who will kill that king of the earth. Stop, you cannot cure one who is bitten by me.
Kashyapa said:
I am possessed with the power of learning. Going there, I am sure I shall cure the king bitten by you.
Takshaka said:
0 Kashyapa, if you are able to cure any creature bitten by me, then revive this tree bitten by me.
0 best of Brahmanas, I burn this banian tree in your sight. Try your best; and show me your skill in Mantras of which you have just spoken.
Kashyapa said:
0 snake, if you are so minded, bite (the tree then). I shall revive it, though bitten by you.
Sauti said:
The king of the snakes, thus addressed by the illustrious Kashyapa, bit that banian tree.
The tree, bitten by the illustrious snake and having embibed his poison, blazed up all around.
Having thus burnt the tree, the snake spoke again to Kashyapa, "0 best of Brahmanas, try your best and let this lord of the forest (the banian tree) be revived."
The tree was reduced to ashes by the poison of the king of snakes. But taking up the ashes, Kashyapa spoke these words.
"0 king of snakes, behold my power of learning in this lord of the forest. 0 snake, I shall revive it in your very presence."
And then that best of Brahmanas, the illustrious and learned Kashyapa, revived by his learning the tree which was reduced to a heap of ashes.
He first created the sprout, he then created two leaves in it. He then made the stem, then the branches and then the full-grown tree with leaves and all.
Seeing that the tree was really revived by the illustrious Kashyapa, Takshaka said, "0 Brahmana, it is not (at all) wonderful.
That you should destroy my poison or the poison of others like me. 0 king of Brahmanas, 0 Rishi, wishing to gain what wealth, are you bent on going there?
I shall give you the wealth you hope to get from the best of kings, however difficult may it be get it.
0 Brahmana, your success is doubtful, for that king is affected with a Brahmana's curse and the period of his life is also shortened.
Your blazing fame, that has overspread the three worlds, will (then) disappear the sun deprived of his splendour.
Kashyapa said :
I go there for wealth. Give it to me, 0 snake, so that I may go back receiving it from you.
Takshaka said :
0 best of Brahmanas, I shall give you wealth more than you hope to get from the king. Therefore do not go.
Sauti said :
Having heard what Takshaka said, the best of Brahmanas, the wise and greatly powerful Kashyapa, sat in meditation.
The greatly powerful man (Kashyapa), ascertaining by his ascetic powers that the period of the life of the king of the Pandava race had really run out, went back, after receiving from Takshaka as much wealth as he desired to possess. On the great Rishi Kashyapa's departure, Takshaka went with speed towards Hastinapur.
Takshaka heard, on his way, that the king of the world was living very carefully, protected by poison-neutralising Mantras and medicines.
Thereupon the snake reflected, saying. "The king must be deceived by me by my Maya (power of delusion). But what must be the means?"
Takshaka then sent some snakes in the guise of Brahmanas with fruits Kusha grass and water as presents.
Takshaka said:
Go you all to the king, saying that you have urgent business and showing no impatience, as if you want to make him a present of the fruits, flowers and water.
Sauti said:
The snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, did (as they were ordered to do) They took to the king, Kusha grass, water and fruits.
The greatly powerful king of kings accepted their presents and when their business was finished, he said, "Now retire."
When those disguised snakes had gone away, the king addressed his ministers and friends, saying.
"Eat with me all these fruits of excellent taste, brought by the ascetics."
Empelled by Fate and the words of the Rishi, the king with his ministers desired to eat those fruits.
He himself ate the fruit within which Takshaka lay hidden. 0 Shaunaka, when he was eating the fruit, there appeared from the fruit an ugly insect, of shape scarcely discernible, of black eyes and coppery colour. The best of kings, taking up the insect, said to his councillors,
"The sun is setting. I have no longer any fear from the poison today. Therefore, let this insect, becoming Takshaka, bite me, so that my sinful act be expitiated and the word of the ascetic may be true. And those councillors, impelled by Fate, approved of the speech of the king.
The monarch smiled and placed the insect on his head. His hour (of death) having come, he lost his senses.
And when the king was smiling, Takshaka, who has come out of the fruit that was offered to the king, coiled himself round the neck of the king. Uttering a tremendous roar, the king of the snakes immediately bit that protector of the world.
Sauti said:
The ministers, seeing their king in the coils of Takshaka, became pale with fear and they wept in great grief.
Hearing the roars of Takshaka the ministers all fled. And as they were running away, they saw the king of the snakes the wonderful serpent Takshaka, going away through the sky like a streak with the colour of the lotus. His coursing through the sky looked like the vermillion line in the middle of the dark masses of a lady's hair.
The palace, in which the king was living, blazed up with the poison of the snake. The ministers left it and fled in fear and the king fell down if struck by lightning.
When thus the king fell with the poison of Takshaka, the ministers, with the royal priest and holy Brahmanas performed all his last rites.
All the citizens of the capital met together and placed the young son of the deceased king on the throne. They called that chastiser of foes, the hero of the Kuru race, Janamejaya.
That best of kings, Janamejaya, though he was but a boy, was very intelligent and wise. With his ministers and priest, the eldest son of
Parikshit, the best of the Kuru race, ruled his kingdom [as powerfully and well] as his grandfather (Yudhishthira)
Seeing that the young king could now keep his enemies in check, his ministers, went to Suvarnavarmana, the king of Kashi and asked him to give his daughter, Vapushtama in marriage with him.
The king of Kashi, after due enquiries bestowed with ordained rights his daughter Vapushtama on the mighty hero of the Kuru race. And he too was exceedingly happy to get her. He did not give his heart to any other women at any time.
The greatly powerful hero roamed happily. in pursuit of pleasures in lakes, in woods and in flowery fields. He passed his time in pleasure as Pururava of olden time did on receiving Urvashi.
When he thus passed his days in pursuit of pleasure, ever-renowned for her beauty, devoted to her husband, the fairest of the fair, Vapushtama, having gained a desirable husband, pleased him with the excess of her love.
Sauti said:
About this time, the great ascetic Jaratkaru, becoming a Yatra-Sayan Griha, roamed over the world.
The greatly powerful Rishi roamed about, bathing in various sacred waters and practising various vows, difficult to be practised by others.
The Rishi lived on air and was completely free from all worldly desires, thus becoming daily lean and emaciated. Thus did he see his ancestors, hanging in the hole, their heads downwards,
By a cord of Virana roots, having only one thread entire. Even that one thread was gradually being eaten away by the rat, living in that hole.
They were in the hole without food; they were emaciated, pitiable and eagerly desirous of emancipation. Jaratkaru, in humble guise, came near these pitiable ones and asked them,
"Who are you that are hanging by the cord of Virana roots, of which the single weak root that is still left is gradually being eaten away by the rat that lives in this hole.
The little that remains of the single thread will soon be cut away, It is quite evident that you will then fall into the pit with your heads downwards.
I have been moved with pity, seeing that you hang with your faces downwards and that you are overtaken by a great calamity. What good can I do to you?
Tell me without delay whatever your this great calamity can be relived with a fourth, or a third or even a half of my this asceticism.
0 relieve yourselves even with the whole of my asceticism. I consent to it. Do as you please.
The Ancestors said:
0 Venerable Brahmachari, you wish to relieve us. But, 0 best of the twice-bom, you cannot relieve us with your asceticism.
0 child, 0 best of speakers, we have also the fruits of our asceticism, but 0 Brahmana, we are falling down into this hell for the want of offspring.
The Grandsire has said, 'the offspring is the great Dharma.’ 0 child, hanging as we are in this hole, our intellect has grown dim.
Therefore we cannot know you, although you are known for your greatness all over the world. You are venerable, you are of good fortune, you sorrowfully grieve for us.
Hear, 0 Brahmana, who we are and for whom you are lamenting. We are Rishis of the name of Yayavara of rigid vows.
0 Rishi, we have fallen from a holy region for want of offspring. Our great penances have not been destroyed, therefore, we have still one cord left (to hang from.)
We have only one thread (son) now, but it matters little whether he is or he is not. Unfortunate we are! We have a thread in one, known as Jaratkaru, well-read in the Vedas and Vedangas, who has adopted asceticism. He is high-souled, he has his senses under complete control, he is a man of rigid vows, a great ascetic.
But from his temptation for the merits of asceticism we have been reduced to this state. He has no wife and no son, no friend, no relatives.
This is the reason why we hang in this hole, our consciousness gone, like one having no one to look after. If you meet him, tell him out of kindness for us.
"Your ancestors are hanging in grief with their faces downwards. 0 holy man, take a wife and beget offspring.
0 Rishi,.0 holy man, you are the only thread in the line of your ancestors." 0 Brahmana, the Virana root that you see and on which we hang,
Is the cord representing our race. 0 Brahmana, these threads of the Virana roots which you see eaten up (by the rat) are we ourselves, who have been eaten up by Time. This root which you see half eaten,
And by which we are hanging in this hole is he who has adopted asceticism. The rat which you see is Time of infinite strength.
He (Time) is slowly killing the wretch Jaratkaru, engaged in asceticism, having been tempted by its merits but wanting in prudence and heart.
0 excellent one, his asceticism cannot save us. The roots being torn, falling off from heavens, deprived of consciousness by Time.
Behold like sinful wretches we are going downwards. On our going with all our relatives down into this hole,
Eaten up by Time, he too will sink with us into hell. Whether it is asceticism, or sacrifice, or other holy acts,
0 child, they are inferior and cannot be equal to a son. 0 child, seeing all this, tell every thing to the Rishi Jaratkaru.
0 Brahmana, becoming our saviour, you should, out of kindness towards us, tell him in detail all that you have seen, so that it might induce him to take a wife and beget offspring.
0 excellent man, who are you? You may be one of his friends, for you grieve for us like a friend and as one belonging to our race. We wish to hear who you are that stand before us.
Sauti said:
Having heard all this, Jaratkaru became exceedingly sorry. He spoke to the pitres in sorrow and his words were choked by tears.
Jaratkaru said :
You are my fathers and grandfathers who are gone before. Tell me, therefore, what I can do for your welfare.
I am that Jaratkaru, your sinful son. I am a worthless man, a man of sinful deeds. Pray, punish me.
0 son, you have come by good luck at this spot in your travel. 0 Brahmana, why have you not taken a wife?
Jaratkaru said :
0 Pitris, I have this desire always in my heart, that having kept my sexual passion under complete control, I shall take this body to the other world.
My mind is possessed with the idea that I must not take a wife. But having seen you, my sires, hanging like birds.
0 grandfathers, my mind has been diverted from Brahmacharya, I shall certainly do your favourite work.
(I shall certainly marry), if I get a bride of my own name, who will bestow herself on me of her own accord, who will come to me as a gift and whom I shall not have to maintain.
Otherwise I shall not marry. 0 grandsires, I speak to you the truth. The offspring that will be begotten on her shall be the means of your salvation and 0 my fathers, you will then live for ever in blessed happiness and without the apprehension of a fall.
Sauti said :
The Rishi (Jaratkaru), having said all this to the ancestors, (left the place and) roamed over the world again. 0 Shaunaka, although he grew old, he did not get a wife.
He was very sorry that he was not successful, but directed by his ancestors he continued the search. He. went into the forest and wept aloud in grief.
Having gone into the forest, the wise Rishi, moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, "I shall ask for a bride, distinctly uttering the words thrice.
Whatever creatures are, mobile or immobile, visible of invisible, 0 you all, hear my words.
I am a man, engaged in severe penances, but my ancestors, afflicted with grief, have told me, "Get yourself married to beget a son."
Directed by my ancestors, I'm roaming in poverty and sorrow all over the world for wedding a maiden whom I shall get as a gift.
Let any of those creatures, whom I (now) address, if he has a daughter, bestow her on me who am roving all over the world for a bride.
A bride, who bears the same name with me, who will be given to me as a gift and whom I shall not have to maintain,(If there is such a bride), 0 bestow her on me.
Thereupon those snakes, who had been appointed to watch Jaratkaru, knowing his intention, gave information to Vasuki.
The king of the snakes immediately went to the place where the Rishi was, taking with him his sister, decked with various ornaments.
O Brahmana, the king of the snakes Vasuki, having gone there, offered the maiden as a gift to that high-souled Rishi. But he did not at once accept her.
The Rishi, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself and seeing also that the question of her maintenance was not settled, reflected for a while and hesitated to accept her.
0 descendant of Bhrigu, he then asked Vasuki the name of the maiden and he told him also, "I shall not maintain her."
Sauti said:
Thereupon Vasuki said to the Rishi Jaratkaru, “This maiden has the same name as yours. She is my sister and is an ascetic.
I shall supporter, 0 best of Brahmanas and therefore accept her. 0 Rishi, I shall protect her with all my abilities. 0 best of Rishis, she has been brought up by me for you."
Rishi said :
It is settled between us that I shall not maintain this maiden and she will not do anything that would be displeasing to me. If she does, I shall leave her.
Sauti said :
When a promise was given by the snake that he would maintain his sister, Jaratkaru went to the house of the snake.
Thereupon the virtuous and veteran Rishi, learned in Mantras and observant of rigid vows, accepted her hands, given to him in due rites.
He then being much adored by the Rishis lived with his wife in the beautiful house set apart for him by the king of the snakes.
In that house was a bedstead covered with valuable coverlets. Jaratkaru slept (in that bedstead) with his wife.
The excellent man (Jaratkaru) made an agreement with his wife, saying "You should not do any thing or say any thing that will be displeasing to me."
I shall then leave you and no longer live in the house, if you do any such thing. Bear in mind these words that I have spoken.
The sister of the snake, in great anxiety and sorrow said, 'Be it so.'
The illustrious girl, moved by the desire of doing good to her relatives, served her husband of hard life with the means of Shveta Kakiya, (i.e. with the wakefulness of the dog, the timidity of the dear and the sharp instinct of crows to understand signs.)
One day the sister of Vasuki, when her season of impurity came, bathed according to custom and went to the great Rishi, her husband.
Thereupon she became quick with child and the embryo was like fire. It was greatly effulgent and was as resplendent as the god of fire himself.
It began to grow like the moon of the white fort-night. A few days after, the greatly famous Jaratkaru.
Placing his head on the lap of his wife, slept, looking like one fatigued. When the Brahmana was thus sleeping, the sun entered the summit of the western mountain.
0 Brahmana, as the day was fading away, fearing the loss of (Jaratkaru's virtue, the excellent of Vasuki grew very anxious.
(She thought) "What shall I do now? Shall I wake my husband or shall I not? He leads a hard life and he is virtuous. How can I act so that I may not offend him.
On the one hand is his anger and on the other is his loss of virtue. The loss of virtue is the greater evil of the two, this is my belief.
But if I wake him, he will surely be angry. If the time for prayer passes away (without his doing it,) he will certainly sustain the loss of virtue.
Having thus thought over the matter, the sweet-voiced snake Jaratkaru, thus spoke to the
Rishi, resplendent with asceticism and lying like a mass of flame, "0 great Lord, arise, the sun is setting."
0 Illustrioas man, 0 Rishi of rigid vows, perform your Sandhya (prayer) after touching water. The time for Agnihotra has come. These moments are beautiful and fearful also.
0 Lord, the evening is now gently covering the western sky. Having been thus addressed, the illustrious great ascetic Jaratkaru,
His lips quivering in anger, spoke these words to his wife, "0 snake, you have insulted me.
I shall no longer live with you, I shall go away whence I came. 0 lady of the snake-race, I know it for certain, the Sun has no power to set (at the usual time) if I remain asleep. A man cannot remain in the place where he is insulted,
Far less can remain a man like me, who am religious and those who are like me. Being thus addressed by her husband, the heart of the sister ofVasuki began to tremble (in fear).
She spoke to him, "0 Brahmana, I have not waken you from any desire of insult.
I have done it lest your virtue suffer any loss." Thus being addressed by his wife the great Rishi Jaratkaru, possessed with anger and desirous of forsaking his wife, said to the snake, " 0 lady of the Naga race, I have never spoken a falsehood, therefore I shall go.
This was my agreement made with you and your brother, 0 amiable lady, I have passed happily with you. 0 fair lady, tell your brother,
When I am gone, that I have left you. On my going away, you should not grieve for me."
Having been thus addressed, the beautiful Jaratkaru, was filled with anxiety and sorrow. Her eyes were full of tears, her face was colourless with fear and her voice choked with sobs, She mustered courage, but her voice was trembling. She joined her hands and thus addressed the Rishi Jaratkaru, "0 virtuous man, it is not proper for you to leave me.
You are always in virtue, so, I am always engaged in doing good. 0 best of Brahmanas, the object for which I was bestowed on you.
Has not been as yet accomplished. Unfortunate am I! What shall I speak to Vasuki? 0 excellent Rishi, the son, desired by my relatives afflicted by their mother's curse, to be begotten by you on me, is not as yet born. The welfare of my relatives depends on the son begotten by you.
Moved by the desire of doing good to my race, so that my connection with you be fruitful, 0 Brahmana, I entreat you not to go away.
0 excellent one, high-souled as you are, why should you leave me who have committed no fault? My conception is not yet apparent."
Thus addressed, the great ascetic Rishi spoke to his wife Jaratkaru, these words, proper and suitable to the occasion.
0 fortunate lady, the being that is now, in your womb, is like the god of fire himself. He is a Rishi, greatly virtuous and a master of the Veda and the Vedangas."
Having said this, the virtuous and great Rishi Jaratkaru went away, his heart firmly fixed on practising severest asceticism again.
Sauti said:
0 ascetic Rishi, as soon as her husband was gone, Jaratkaru went to her brother and told him all that had happened.
Hearing this greatly evil news, the king of the snakes spoke to his miserable sister, he being more miserable than she was.
Vasuki said:
0 amiable sister, you know the object for which you were bestowed (on the Rishi,) If a son be born for the good of the snake race.
That greatly powerful being will be able to save us from the Snake-sacrifice. The Grandsire told this to the celestial in olden times.
0 Fortunate one, are you quick, with child by that best of Rishis? My heart's desire is that my bestowal of you on that wise man may be fruitless.
It is not proper for me to ask you such a question, but I ask you from the gravity of the matter.
Knowing that it is not possible to get back your husband, ever engaged in severe asceticism, I shall not follow him; he may curse me.
0 amiable sister, tell me all that your husband has done and thereby (relieve me by
drawing out the terribly painful dart that is implanted in my heart.
Jaratkaru, having been thus addressed, consoled the king of the snakes, Vasuki and spoke thus.
Jaratkaru said:
Asked by me about offspring, the high-souled great ascetic said, "It is there and went away.
I do not remember him to have spoken a falsehood even in jest. 0 king, why should he then speak a falsehood in such a serious matters. He said,
"0 Lady of the Naga race, do not grieve for the result of our union. A son will be born in you like a blazing fire.
0 Brother, having said this, the Rishi, my husband, went away therefore, let the great in your mind be removed.
Sauti said:
Having heard this, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, accepted the words of his sister, saying "Be it so."
0 Brahmana, the best of the snakes then adored his sister with best regards, with fitting eulogies and gifts of wealth.
0 Best of the twice born, the greatly powerful and effulgent embryo began to develop like the moon in the white fortnight.
0 Brahmana, the sister of the snake in due time gave birth to a son with the splendour of a celestial boy, the destroyers of the fears of (the relatives of) his father and mother.
He grew up in the house of the king of the snakes. He studied the Vedas with their Angas from the great Rishi Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu.
Though he was a mere boy, his asceticism was great; he was gifted with great intelligence and many virtues. He was known in the world by the name of Astika.
He was known by the name of Astika, because his father had gone away to the forest, saying Astika (one is there), when he was in his mother's womb.
Though he was only a boy, yet he was grave and intelligent. He was kept with great care in the palace of the snake-king.
He was like the illustrious lord of the celestial, Shulapani (Shiva). He grew up day by day to the infinite delight of all the snakes.
Shaunaka said:
Tell me again in detail all that king Janamejaya asked his ministers to say about his father's ascension to heaven.
Sauti said:
0 Brahmana, hear all that the king asked his ministers and all that they said about the death of Parikshit.
Janamejaya said:
You know all that happened to my father and how my illustrious father met with his death.
Hearing from you all about my father, I shall do what is proper and good. I shall not do otherwise.
Sauti said :
Being asked by that high-souled king Janamejaya, the virtuous and wise ministers thus replied.
The Ministers said :
Hear, 0 king, what you have asked. Hear an account of that king of the world, your illustrious father's life and how he left this world.
Your father was virtuous and noble and a protector of his subjects. Hear, how that high-souled king conducted himself on earth.
That virtuous king, virtuously inclined, protected, like Virtue and Justice themselves, the four castes, keeping them in the duties of their respective orders.
Blessed with fortune and with matchless prowess, he protected the goddess earth. He hated none and had none to hate him.
Like Prajapati he looked at all creatures with equal eyes. The Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras,
Engaged in their respective duties, 0 king, were all impartially protected by him. He maintained widows, orphans, the maimed and the poor.
He was handsome and was like a second Soma to all creatures. All were contended and blessed with good fortune by that truthful and greatly powerful king.
He was the disciple of Sharadvata in the science of arms. 0 Janamejaya, your father was the beloved ofGovinda (Krishna).
He was the favourite of all men and was greatly renowned. He was born in the womb of Uttara when the Kuru race was almost destroyed.
Therefore the mighty son of Abhimanyu was called Parikshit. He was learned in the treatise on the duties of kings and was adorned with all the noble qualities.
He had his passions under control, he was intelligent, he was gifted with great memory, he was practiser of all virtues, a conqueror of six passions, a great intelligent man, fully acquainted with the science of ethics.
Your father ruled over his subjects for sixty years. When he died, all the people were extremely sorry. After him, 0 best of men, you have acquired this hereditary kingdom of the Kurus, (who have been ruling over it) for the last thousand years. 0 protector of every creature, you were installed when you were a child.
Janamejaya said:
None was bom in our dynasty who did not look after the good of his subjects and who was not beloved by them. See specially the conduct
of my grandfathers (five Pandava brothers) who were ever engaged in great deeds.
How did my such a noble father meet with his death? Describe it to me. I am desirous of hearing it.
Sauti said :
Thus asked by the king, the ministers, the well-wishers of the king, told him everything as it had happened.
The Ministers said :
0 king, that monarch, the lord of the world, greatly obedient to all Shastras like the first of all beings, became addicted to sports like the best of bow-men, the great warrior and exceedingly powerful Pandu. He made over to us all state affairs.
Once on a time he went into the forest and pierced a deer with an arrow. Having thus wounded the deer, he followed it armed with sword and quiver,
Alone on foot. But he could not, however, come upon that lost deer.
He, being sixty years old and therefore fatigued and hungry, saw a great Rishi in that great forest.
The king accosted that Rishi, who was then observing the vow of silence, but the Rishi did not make any reply.
The fatigued and the hungry king grew angry with the Rishi who sat motionless as a piece of wood in observance of his vow of silence.
Knowing not that the Rishi was observing a vow of silence, your father, being angry, insulted him.
0 excellent one of the Bharata race, he took up from the ground a dead snake with the end of his bow and placed it on the shoulder of that holy Rishi.
But that wise man did not speak a word, good or bad and he did not become angry. He remained as he was, bearing the snake on his shoulder.
The Ministers said:
0 king of kings, that tired and hungry monarch, having placed the snake on the shoulder of the Rishi, came back to his own capital.
The Rishi had a son, born of a cow, named Shringi. He was greatly renowned, exceedingly powerful and greatly energetic and very wrathful.
He used to go to Brahma and worshipped him. Commanded by him, Shringi was one day returning home,
When he heard from his friend how his father had been insulted by your father. He heard that he was bearing on his shoulder a dead snake as motionless as a piece of wood, without doing any injury to the man who had insulted him thus.
0 king, (he heard that your father had insulted the Rishi) who was a great ascetic, the best of Rishis, a controller of his passions, a pious and holy man, a door of wonderful deeds, his soul enlightened with asceticism and his senses and their functions under his complete control.
His practices were pious, his speeches pure. He was contented and had no avarice; he had not the least meanness, nor had he any avarice. He was old and observant of the vow of silence.
And he was the refuge of all creatures. Such was the Rishi whom your father insulted. The son of that Rishi, however, cursed your father in anger.
Though that son of the Rishi was but a boy, he had the splendour of mature age. He speedily touched water and spoke thus in anger,
With reference to your father, burning as if in effulgence, "Behold my ascetic powers. The angry and effulgent snake Takshaka, a spoken by me, will burn with his poison, within seven nights hence, the wretch who has placed a dead snake on the shoulder of my sire. " Having said this, he went to the place where his father was.
Seeing his father, he told him of the curse uttered by him. That best of Rishis sent to your father.
A well-mannered and virtuous disciple, named Gaurmukha, After having taken rest for a while, he (Gaurmukha) told every thing to the king (your father,)
(Saying in the words of his preceptor) "O king, you have been cursed by my son. Takshaka will burn you with his poison. 0 great king, be careful.
0 Janamejaya, your father, having heard these terrible words, took every precaution against the powerful snake Takshaka.
When the seventh day arrived, a Brahmana Rishi, named Kashyapa, wished to come to the king.
The king of the snakes, Takshaka, saw Kashyapa and that king of the snakes asked that Brahmana, "Where are you going in a hurry? And what is your business for which you go?"
Kashyapa said :
0 Brahmana, I am going where the best of the Kurus, the king named Parikshit is. He will today be killed by the snake Takshaka.
I am going in a hurry to cure him, so that he, being treated by me, may not he killed by the snake.
Takshaka said :
0 Brahmana, I am that very Takshaka. Why do you wish to revive the king bitten by me. Behold my wonderful power. You are incapable of reviving the king bitten by me." Having said this, Takshaka there and then bit a lord of the forest (a banian tree).
The trees reduced to ashes as soon as bitten by the snake; but, 0 king, Kashyapa, however revived it.
Thereupon Takshaka, in order to tempt him, said, "Tell me what is your desire." and Kashyapa replied to Takshaka.
"I am going there with the desire of (getting) wealth." The illustrious Takshaka, (thereupon) told him in sweet words,
"0 sinless one, take from me more wealth than you expect to get from that king. And then go back."
The best of men, Kashyapa, being thus addressed by the snake and having received from him as much wealth as he desired to get, went back.
When the Brahman went back, Takshaka went in disguise to that best of kings, your virtuous father, who was then saying with all precautions in his palace; and he burnt him with the fire of his poison. After this (most lamentable event,) you, 0 best of kings, were installed on the throne.
0 best of kings, we have told you all that we saw and heard, though the account is terrible and cruel.
0 best of kings, you have now heard how (your father) the great king of the world was
killed and how Rishi Uttanka was insulted, do what is proper.
Sauti said :
Thereupon the chastiser of foes, Janamejaya addressed all his ministers thus.
Janamejaya said :
From whom have you heard this wonderful account of the lord of the forest, burnt to ashes by Takshaka and revived again by Kashyapa? My father could not have certainly died were the poison neutralised by the Mantras of Kashyapa.
The sinful wretch, the worst of the snakes (Takshaka), thought in his mind, If a Brahmana revives the king bitten by me,
"All the world will laugh at me saying, Takshaka had no poison any longer." Certainly having thought so, he gratified the Brahmana.
I have however, devised a means by which I shall punish him. I now wish to hear how you heard and how you saw what happened in the solitude of the forest, especially the conversation between Takshaka and Kashyapa.
Having heard this, I shall devise means for the destruction of the snakes.
The Ministers said :
0 king, hear from whom we heard the conversation between that king of the Brahmanas and the king of the snakes.
0 king, a certain man had climbed that lord of the forest to collect its dry twigs for sacrificial fuel.
He was not seen by the Brahmana or the snake. 0 king, he too was reduced to ashes with the tree.
0 king of kings, he was revived with the tree by the power of the Brahmana. That man, a servant of a Brahmana, came to us,
And told us in detail what happened between Takshaka and the Brahmana. 0 king, we are thus able to tell you what we saw or heard. 0 best of kings, having heard it, do what should be done now.
Sauti said :
Having heard the words of the ministers, the king Janamejaya began to weep in grief and squeezed his hands.
The lotus-eyed king breathed long and hot breaths; the king shed tears and wept aloud.
The king, afflicted with grief and sorrow, shed tears and touching water according to the form, thought for a while as if sifting something in his mind. Then addressing all his ministers, he said:
Janamejaya said:
I have heard your account of my father's ascension to heaven. Know now what is my fixed resolve. No time should be lost to avenge the wretch Takshaka who killed my father. The wretch killed the king, making Shringi a mere pretext.
Out of malignity alone he prevented Kashyapa from coming. If that Brahmana had come, my father would have certainly lived.
What harm could have possibly come to him if the king had revived by the grace of Kashyapa and the precautions taken by the ministers?
He, being ignorant of my anger, prevented that best of Brahmana, Kashyapa, from coming to my unconquerable father.
The aggression of the wretch Takshaka in great, for he gave wealth to the Brahmana, so that he might not revive the king.
I must avenge myself on my father's enemy, to please myself, to please Uttanka and you all.
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