Chapter 46
“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.'”
