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.
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