The Mahabharata
Book 1: Adi Parva
Kisari Mohan Ganguli, tr.
[1883-1896]
SECTION XIII
(Astika Parva)
"Saunaka said, 'For what reason did that tiger among kings, the royal Janamejaya,
determine to take the lives of the snakes by means of a sacrifice? O Sauti, tell
us in full the true story. Tell us also why Astika, that best of regenerate ones,
that foremost of ascetics, rescued the snakes from the blazing fire. Whose son
was that monarch who celebrated the snake-sacrifice? And whose son also was that
best of regenerate ones?'
"Sauti said, 'O best of speakers, this story of Astika is long. I will duly
relate it in full, O listen!'
"Saunaka said, 'I am desirous of hearing at length the charming story of that
Rishi, that illustrious Brahmana named Astika.'
"Sauti said, 'This history (first) recited by Krishna-Dwaipayana, is called
a Purana by the Brahmanas. It was formerly narrated by my wise father, Lomaharshana,
the disciple of Vyasa, before the dwellers of the Naimisha forest, at their request.
I was present at the recital, and, O Saunaka, since thou askest me, I shall narrate
the history of Astika exactly as I heard it. O listen, as I recite in full that
sin-destroying story.
"The father of Astika was powerful like Prajapati. He was a Brahma-charin,
always engaged in austere devotions. He ate sparingly, was a great ascetic, and
had his lust under complete control. And he was known by the name of Jaratkaru.
That foremost one among the Yayavaras, virtuous and of rigid vows, highly blessed
and endued with great ascetic power, once undertook a journey over the world.
He visited diverse places, bathed in diverse sacred waters, and rested where night
overtook him. Endued with great energy, he practised religious austerities, hard
to be practised by men of unrestrained souls. The sage lived upon air only, and
renounced sleep for ever. Thus going about like a blazing fire, one day he happened
to see his ancestors, hanging heads down in a great hole, their feet pointing
upwards. On seeing them, Jaratkaru addressed them, saying:
'Who are you thus hanging heads down in this hole by a rope of virana fibres
that is again secretly eaten into on all sides by a rat living here?'
"The ancestors said, 'We are Rishis of rigid vows, called Yayavaras. We are
sinking low into the earth for want of offspring. We have a son named Jaratkaru.
Woe to us! That wretch hath entered upon a life of austerities only! The fool
doth not think of raising offspring by marriage! It is for that reason, viz.,
the fear of extinction of our race, that we are suspended in this hole. Possessed
of means, we fare like unfortunates that have none! O excellent one, who art thou
that thus sorrowest as a friend on our account? We desire to learn, O Brahmana,
who thou art that standest by us, and why, O best of men, thou sorrowest for us
that are so unfortunate.'
"Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my sires and grandsires I am that Jaratkaru!
O, tell me, how I may serve you.'
"The fathers then answered, 'Try thy best, O child, to beget a son to extend
our line. Thou wilt then, O excellent one, have done a meritorious art for both
thyself and us. Not by the fruits of virtue, not by ascetic penances well hoarded
up, acquireth the merit which one doth by becoming a father. Therefore, O child,
by our command, set thy heart upon marriage and offspring. Even this is our highest
good.'
"Jaratkaru replied, 'I shall not marry for my sake, nor shall I earn wealth
for enjoyment, but I shall do so for your welfare only. According to this understanding,
I shall, agreeably to the Sastric ordinance, take a wife for attaining the end.
I shall not act otherwise. If a bride may be had of the same name with me, whose
friends would, besides, willingly give her to me as a gift in charity, I shall
wed her duly. But who will give his daughter to a poor man like me for wife. I
shall, however, accept any daughter given to me as alms. I shall endeavour, ye
sires, even thus to wed a girl! Having given my word, I will not act otherwise.
Upon her I will raise offspring for your redemption, so that, ye fathers, ye may
attain to eternal regions (of bliss) and may rejoice as ye like.'"
So ends the thirteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
