The Mahabharata
Book 1: Adi Parva
Kisari Mohan Ganguli, tr.
[1883-1896]
SECTION XXXVIII
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'Hearing the respective speeches of all the snakes, and hearing
also the words of Vasuki, Elapatra began to address them, saying, 'That sacrifice
is not one that can be prevented. Nor is king Janamejaya of the Pandava race from
whom this fear proceedeth, such that he can be hindered. The person, O king, who
is afflicted by fate hath recourse to fate alone; nothing else can be his refuge.
Ye best of snakes, this fear of ours hath fate for its root. Fate alone must be
our refuge in this. Listen to what I say. When that curse was uttered, ye best
of snakes, in fear I lay crouching on the lap of our mother. Ye best of snakes,
and O lord (Vasuki) of great splendour, from that place I heard the words the
sorrowing gods spake unto the Grandsire. The gods said, 'O Grandsire, thou god
of gods who else than the cruel Kadru could thus, after getting such dear children,
curse them so, even in thy presence? And, O Grandsire, by thee also hath been
spoken, with reference to those words of hers, 'Be it so.' We wish to know the
reason why thou didst not prevent her.' Brahman replied, 'The snakes have multiplied.
They are cruel, terrible in form and highly poisonous. From desire of the good
of my creatures, I did not prevent Kadru then. Those poisonous serpents and others
who are sinful, biting others for no faults, shall, indeed, be destroyed, but
not they who are harmless and virtuous. And hear also, how, when the hour comes,
the snakes may escape this dreadful calamity. There shall be born in the race
of the Yayavaras a great Rishi known by the name of Jaratkaru, intelligent, with
passions under complete control. That Jaratkaru shall have a son of the name of
Astika. He shall put a stop to that sacrifice. And those snakes who shall be virtuous
shall escape therefrom. The gods said, 'O thou truth-knowing one, on whom will
Jaratkaru, that foremost Muni, gifted with great energy and asceticism, beget
that illustrious son?' Brahma answered, 'Gifted with great energy, that best Brahmana
shall beget a son possessed of great energy on a wife of the same name as his.
Vasuki, the king of the snakes, hath a sister of the name of Jaratkaru; the son,
of whom I speak, shall be born of her, and he shall liberate the snakes.'
"Elapatra continued, 'The gods then said unto the Grandsire, 'Be it so.' And
the lord Brahman, having said so unto the gods, went to heaven. O Vasuki, I see
before me that sister of thine known by the name of Jaratkaru. For relieving us
from fear, give her as alms unto him (i.e., the Rishi), Jaratkaru, of excellent
vows, who shall roam abegging for a bride. This means of release hath been heard
of by me!'"
