Chapter 54

“Sauti said, ‘Then the snake-dame Jaratkaru, calling her own son, toldhim the following words according to the directions of Vasuki, the kingof the snakes. ‘O son, the time is come for the accomplishment of thatobject for which I was bestowed on thy father by my brother. Therefore,do thou that which should be done.’

“Astika asked, ‘Why wert thou, O mother, bestowed on my father by myuncle? Tell me all truly so that on hearing it, I may do what is proper.’

“Then Jaratkaru, the sister of the king of the snakes, herself unmoved bythe general distress, and even desirous of the welfare of her relatives,said unto him, ‘O son, it is said that the mother of all the snakes isKadru. Know thou why she cursed in anger her sons.’ Addressing the snakesshe said, ‘As ye have refused to falsely represent Uchchaihsravas, theprince of horses, for bringing about Vinata’s bondage according to thewager, therefore, shall he whose charioteer is Vayu burn you all inJanamejaya’s sacrifice. And perishing in that sacrifice, ye shall go tothe region of the unredeemed spirits.’ The Grandsire of all the worldsspake unto her while uttering this curse, ‘Be it so,’ and thus approvedof her speech. Vasuki, having heard that curse and then the words of theGrandsire, sought the protection of the gods, O child, on the occasionwhen the amrita was being churned for. And the gods, their objectfulfilled, for they had obtained the excellent amrita, with Vasuki ahead,approached the Grandsire. And all the gods, with king Vasuki, sought toincline Him who was born of the lotus to be propitious, so that the cursemight be made abortive.’

“And the gods said, ‘O Lord, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, is sorry onaccount of his relatives. How may his mother’s curse prove abortive?’

“Brahman thereupon replied, saying, ‘Jaratkaru will take unto himself awife of the name of Jaratkaru; the Brahmana born of her will relieve thesnakes.’

“Vasuki, the best of snakes, hearing those words, bestowed me, O thou ofgodlike looks, on thy high-souled father some time before thecommencement of the sacrifice. And from that marriage thou art born ofme. That time has come. It behoveth thee to protect us from this danger.It behoveth thee to protect my brother and myself from the fire, so thatthe object, viz., our relief, for which I was bestowed on thy wisefather, may not be unfulfilled. What dost thou think, O son?’

“Sauti continued, ‘Thus addressed, Astika said unto his mother, ‘Yes, Iwill.’ And he then addressed the afflicted Vasuki, and as if infusinglife into him, said, ‘O Vasuki, thou best of snakes, thou great being,truly do I say, I shall relieve thee from that curse. Be easy, O snake!There is no fear any longer. I shall strive earnestly so that good maycome! Nobody hath ever said that my speech, even in jest, hath provedfalse. Hence on serious occasions like this, I need not say anythingmore, O uncle, going thither today I shall gratify, with words mixed withblessings, the monarch Janamejaya installed at the sacrifice, so that, Oexcellent one, the sacrifice may stop. O highminded one, O king of thesnakes, believe all that I say. Believe me, my resolve can never beunfulfilled.’

“And Vasuki then said, ‘O Astika, my head swims and my heart breaks. Icannot discern the points of the earth, as I am afflicted with a mother’scurse.’

“And Astika said, ‘Thou best of snakes, it behoveth thee not to grieveany longer. I shall dispel this fear of thine from the blazing fire. Thisterrible punishment, capable of burning like the fire at the end of theYuga, I shall extinguish. Nurse not thy fear any longer.’

“Sauti continued, ‘Then that best of Brahmanas, Astika, quelling theterrible fear of the Vasuki’s heart, and taking it, as it were, onhimself, wended, for the relief of the king of the snakes, with speed toJanamejaya’s sacrifice blessed with every merit. And Astika having gonethither, beheld the excellent sacrificial compound with numerous Sadasyason it whose splendour was like unto that of the Sun or Agni. But thatbest of Brahmanas was refused admittance by the door-keepers. And themighty ascetic gratified them, being desirous of entering the sacrificialcompound. And that best of Brahmanas, that foremost of all virtuous men,having entered the excellent sacrificial compound, began to adore theking of infinite achievements, Ritwiks, the Sadasyas, and also the sacredfire.'”