Chapter 13

“Saunaka said, ‘For what reason did that tiger among kings, the royalJanamejaya, determine to take the lives of the snakes by means of asacrifice? O Sauti, tell us in full the true story. Tell us also whyAstika, that best of regenerate ones, that foremost of ascetics, rescuedthe snakes from the blazing fire. Whose son was that monarch whocelebrated the snake-sacrifice? And whose son also was that best ofregenerate ones?’

“Sauti said, ‘O best of speakers, this story of Astika is long. I willduly relate it in full, O listen!’

“Saunaka said, ‘I am desirous of hearing at length the charming story ofthat Rishi, that illustrious Brahmana named Astika.’

“Sauti said, ‘This history (first) recited by Krishna-Dwaipayana, iscalled a Purana by the Brahmanas. It was formerly narrated by my wisefather, Lomaharshana, the disciple of Vyasa, before the dwellers of theNaimisha forest, at their request. I was present at the recital, and, OSaunaka, since thou askest me, I shall narrate the history of Astikaexactly as I heard it. O listen, as I recite in full that sin-destroyingstory.

“The father of Astika was powerful like Prajapati. He was aBrahma-charin, always engaged in austere devotions. He ate sparingly, wasa great ascetic, and had his lust under complete control. And he wasknown by the name of Jaratkaru. That foremost one among the Yayavaras,virtuous and of rigid vows, highly blessed and endued with great asceticpower, once undertook a journey over the world. He visited diverseplaces, bathed in diverse sacred waters, and rested where night overtookhim. Endued with great energy, he practised religious austerities, hardto be practised by men of unrestrained souls. The sage lived upon aironly, 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 greathole, their feet pointing upwards. On seeing them, Jaratkaru addressedthem, saying:

‘Who are you thus hanging heads down in this hole by a rope of viranafibres that is again secretly eaten into on all sides by a rat livinghere?’

“The ancestors said, ‘We are Rishis of rigid vows, called Yayavaras. Weare sinking low into the earth for want of offspring. We have a son namedJaratkaru. Woe to us! That wretch hath entered upon a life of austeritiesonly! The fool doth not think of raising offspring by marriage! It is forthat reason, viz., the fear of extinction of our race, that we aresuspended in this hole. Possessed of means, we fare like unfortunatesthat have none! O excellent one, who art thou that thus sorrowest as afriend on our account? We desire to learn, O Brahmana, who thou art thatstandest by us, and why, O best of men, thou sorrowest for us that are sounfortunate.’

“Jaratkaru said, ‘Ye are even my sires and grandsires I am thatJaratkaru! O, tell me, how I may serve you.’

“The fathers then answered, ‘Try thy best, O child, to beget a son toextend our line. Thou wilt then, O excellent one, have done a meritoriousart for both thyself and us. Not by the fruits of virtue, not by asceticpenances well hoarded up, acquireth the merit which one doth by becominga father. Therefore, O child, by our command, set thy heart upon marriageand offspring. Even this is our highest good.’

“Jaratkaru replied, ‘I shall not marry for my sake, nor shall I earnwealth for enjoyment, but I shall do so for your welfare only. Accordingto this understanding, I shall, agreeably to the Sastric ordinance, takea wife for attaining the end. I shall not act otherwise. If a bride maybe had of the same name with me, whose friends would, besides, willinglygive her to me as a gift in charity, I shall wed her duly. But who willgive 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.