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Library:How Jaratkaru marries Jaratkaru to prevent Yayavaras, the ancestors from falling down!
शौनक उवाच॥
Śaunaka spoke.
किमर्थं राजशार्दूलः स राजा जनमेजयः । सर्पसत्रेण सर्पाणां गतोऽन्तं तद्वदस्व मे ॥१-१३-१॥
O tiger among kings, please tell me why King Janamejaya conducted the snake sacrifice that led to the end of the snakes.
आस्तीकश्च द्विजश्रेष्ठः किमर्थं जपतां वरः । मोक्षयामास भुजगान्दीप्तात्तस्माद्धुताशनात् ॥१-१३-२॥
Āstīka, the revered sage, questioned the purpose and released the serpents from the blazing fire.
कस्य पुत्रः स राजासीत्सर्पसत्रं य आहरत् । स च द्विजातिप्रवरः कस्य पुत्रो वदस्व मे ॥१-१३-३॥
Tell me, whose son was the king who performed the snake sacrifice, and whose son is considered the best among the twice-born?
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said.
महदाख्यानमास्तीकं यत्रैतत्प्रोच्यते द्विज । सर्वमेतदशेषेण शृणु मे वदतां वर ॥१-१३-४॥
O noble one, listen to the complete great story of Āstīka as it is narrated here. Hear it all from me, the best among speakers.
शौनक उवाच॥
Śaunaka spoke.
श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यशेषेण कथामेतां मनोरमाम् । आस्तीकस्य पुराणस्य ब्राह्मणस्य यशस्विनः ॥१-१३-५॥
I wish to hear the entire delightful story of the renowned ancient Brāhmaṇa Āstīka.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said.
इतिहासमिमं वृद्धाः पुराणं परिचक्षते । कृष्णद्वैपायनप्रोक्तं नैमिषारण्यवासिनः ॥१-१३-६॥
The elders of Naimisharanya describe this ancient history as narrated by Krishna Dvaipayana.
पूर्वं प्रचोदितः सूतः पिता मे लोमहर्षणः । शिष्यो व्यासस्य मेधावी ब्राह्मणैरिदमुक्तवान् ॥१-१३-७॥
Previously, my father Lomaharṣaṇa, who was instructed and was a wise disciple of Vyāsa, was told this by the Brāhmaṇas.
तस्मादहमुपश्रुत्य प्रवक्ष्यामि यथातथम् । इदमास्तीकमाख्यानं तुभ्यं शौनक पृच्छते ॥१-१३-८॥
Therefore, having heard it, I will truthfully narrate this story of Āstīka to you, O Śaunaka, as you ask.
आस्तीकस्य पिता ह्यासीत्प्रजापतिसमः प्रभुः । ब्रह्मचारी यताहारस्तपस्युग्रे रतः सदा ॥१-१३-९॥
Āstīka's father was a lord comparable to Prajāpati, always devoted to severe austerity, celibate, and disciplined in his diet.
जरत्कारुरिति ख्यात ऊर्ध्वरेता महानृषिः । यायावराणां धर्मज्ञः प्रवरः संशितव्रतः ॥१-१३-१०॥
Jaratkaru, a great sage known for his celibacy, was eminent among the wanderers, recognized for his knowledge of dharma and firm vows.
अटमानः कदाचित्स स्वान्ददर्श पितामहान् । लम्बमानान्महागर्ते पादैरूर्ध्वैरधोमुखान् ॥१-१३-११॥
Once, while wandering, he saw his ancestors hanging upside down in a great pit, suspended by their feet.
तानब्रवीत्स दृष्ट्वैव जरत्कारुः पितामहान् । के भवन्तोऽवलम्बन्ते गर्तेऽस्मिन्वा अधोमुखाः ॥१-१३-१२॥
Jaratkaru, upon seeing his ancestors, asked them why they were hanging in the pit or facing downward.
वीरणस्तम्बके लग्नाः सर्वतः परिभक्षिते । मूषकेन निगूढेन गर्तेऽस्मिन्नित्यवासिना ॥१-१३-१३॥
The grass clump was entirely eaten by a mouse that was hidden in the hole, where it permanently resided.
पितर ऊचुः॥
The fathers spoke.
यायावरा नाम वयमृषयः संशितव्रताः । सन्तानप्रक्षयाद्ब्रह्मन्नधो गच्छाम मेदिनीम् ॥१-१३-१४॥
We, the sages known as wanderers with firm vows, are descending to the earth, O Brahman, due to the extinction of progeny.
अस्माकं सन्ततिस्त्वेको जरत्कारुरिति श्रुतः । मन्दभाग्योऽल्पभाग्यानां तप एव समास्थितः ॥१-१३-१५॥
Our lineage is known to consist of only one person, Jaratkaru, who is heard to be of little fortune. Among those with little fortune, he is solely engaged in penance.
न स पुत्राञ्जनयितुं दारान्मूढश्चिकीर्षति । तेन लम्बामहे गर्ते सन्तानप्रक्षयादिह ॥१-१३-१६॥
The foolish man does not wish to have children or wives. As a result, we find ourselves in a pit here due to the decline of progeny.
अनाथास्तेन नाथेन यथा दुष्कृतिनस्तथा । कस्त्वं बन्धुरिवास्माकमनुशोचसि सत्तम ॥१-१३-१७॥
O best one, just as the helpless are protected by him, the protector, and the sinners are treated likewise, who are you to lament like a friend for us?
ज्ञातुमिच्छामहे ब्रह्मन्को भवानिह धिष्ठितः । किमर्थं चैव नः शोच्याननुकम्पितुमर्हसि ॥१-१३-१८॥
We wish to know, O Brahman, who you are and why you are here. You should indeed show compassion to us who are pitiable.
जरत्कारुरुवाच॥
Jaratkaru spoke.
मम पूर्वे भवन्तो वै पितरः सपितामहाः । ब्रूत किं करवाण्यद्य जरत्कारुरहं स्वयम् ॥१-१३-१९॥
My ancestors, you who are indeed my fathers and grandfathers, tell me what I, Jaratkaru, should do today.
पितर ऊचुः॥
The fathers spoke.
यतस्व यत्नवांस्तात सन्तानाय कुलस्य नः । आत्मनोऽर्थेऽस्मदर्थे च धर्म इत्येव चाभिभो ॥१-१३-२०॥
O dear, strive diligently for the continuation of our family lineage; for your own benefit, for our collective purpose, and indeed for the sake of duty, O master.
न हि धर्मफलैस्तात न तपोभिः सुसञ्चितैः । तां गतिं प्राप्नुवन्तीह पुत्रिणो यां व्रजन्ति ह ॥१-१३-२१॥
O dear, those with sons do not attain that state here by the fruits of righteousness or by well-accumulated austerities, which they indeed go to.
तद्दारग्रहणे यत्नं सन्तत्यां च मनः कुरु । पुत्रकास्मन्नियोगात्त्वमेतन्नः परमं हितम् ॥१-१३-२२॥
O son, make an effort to take a wife and have children; this is our command to you, as it is the greatest benefit for us.
जरत्कारुरुवाच॥
Jaratkaru spoke.
न दारान्वै करिष्यामि सदा मे भावितं मनः । भवतां तु हितार्थाय करिष्ये दारसङ्ग्रहम् ॥१-१३-२३॥
I have always resolved not to take wives, but for your benefit, I will agree to marriage.
समयेन च कर्ताहमनेन विधिपूर्वकम् । तथा यद्युपलप्स्यामि करिष्ये नान्यथा त्वहम् ॥१-१३-२४॥
I will act according to the agreement and the rules. If I achieve what I seek, I will proceed as planned, otherwise, I will not act differently.
सनाम्नी या भवित्री मे दित्सिता चैव बन्धुभिः । भैक्षवत्तामहं कन्यामुपयंस्ये विधानतः ॥१-१३-२५॥
The girl, who is named and destined to be mine, given by my relatives, I shall marry her as a mendicant according to the rule.
दरिद्राय हि मे भार्यां को दास्यति विशेषतः । प्रतिग्रहीष्ये भिक्षां तु यदि कश्चित्प्रदास्यति ॥१-१३-२६॥
Who would give my wife to a poor man, especially? However, I will accept alms if someone offers.
एवं दारक्रियाहेतोः प्रयतिष्ये पितामहाः । अनेन विधिना शश्वन्न करिष्येऽहमन्यथा ॥१-१३-२७॥
Thus, O ancestors, I shall strive for the sake of marriage. By this method, I will never act otherwise.
तत्र चोत्पत्स्यते जन्तुर्भवतां तारणाय वै । शाश्वतं स्थानमासाद्य मोदन्तां पितरो मम ॥१-१३-२८॥
There, a being will arise for your deliverance. Upon reaching the eternal abode, may my ancestors find joy.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said.
ततो निवेशाय तदा स विप्रः संशितव्रतः । महीं चचार दारार्थी न च दारानविन्दत ॥१-१३-२९॥
Then, at that time, the sage with firm vows wandered the earth seeking a wife, but he did not find one.
स कदाचिद्वनं गत्वा विप्रः पितृवचः स्मरन् । चुक्रोश कन्याभिक्षार्थी तिस्रो वाचः शनैरिव ॥१-१३-३०॥
Once, the sage went to the forest, remembering his father's words, and slowly cried out three times seeking a maiden in alms.
तं वासुकिः प्रत्यगृह्णादुद्यम्य भगिनीं तदा । न स तां प्रतिजग्राह न सनाम्नीति चिन्तयन् ॥१-१३-३१॥
Vasuki then accepted him by lifting his sister, but he did not accept her, thinking she was without a name.
सनाम्नीमुद्यतां भार्यां गृह्णीयामिति तस्य हि । मनो निविष्टमभवज्जरत्कारोर्महात्मनः ॥१-१३-३२॥
The great soul Jaratkaru's mind was indeed settled on taking a wife who was ready and named.
तमुवाच महाप्राज्ञो जरत्कारुर्महातपाः । किंनाम्नी भगिनीयं ते ब्रूहि सत्यं भुजङ्गम ॥१-१३-३३॥
The great wise Jaratkaru, a great ascetic, said to him: "What is the name of this sister of yours? Tell me the truth, serpent."
वासुकिरुवाच॥
Vasuki spoke.
जरत्कारो जरत्कारुः स्वसेयमनुजा मम । त्वदर्थं रक्षिता पूर्वं प्रतीच्छेमां द्विजोत्तम ॥१-१३-३४॥
Jaratkaru, this is my younger sister Jaratkaru, who was protected earlier for your sake; please accept her, O best of the twice-born.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said.
मात्रा हि भुजगाः शप्ताः पूर्वं ब्रह्मविदां वर । जनमेजयस्य वो यज्ञे धक्ष्यत्यनिलसारथिः ॥१-१३-३५॥
The serpents were cursed by their mother long ago, O best among the knowers of Brahman. In Janamejaya's sacrifice, the wind-charioteer will consume you.
तस्य शापस्य शान्त्यर्थं प्रददौ पन्नगोत्तमः । स्वसारमृषये तस्मै सुव्रताय तपस्विने ॥१-१३-३६॥
To appease the curse, the best of serpents offered his sister to the virtuous and ascetic sage.
स च तां प्रतिजग्राह विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा । आस्तीको नाम पुत्रश्च तस्यां जज्ञे महात्मनः ॥१-१३-३७॥
He accepted her according to the prescribed rituals, and a son named Āstīka, who was of great soul, was born to her.
तपस्वी च महात्मा च वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः । समः सर्वस्य लोकस्य पितृमातृभयापहः ॥१-१३-३८॥
He is an ascetic and a great soul, a knower of the Vedas and Vedangas, who treats everyone equally and removes the fears of parents in the world.
अथ कालस्य महतः पाण्डवेयो नराधिपः । आजहार महायज्ञं सर्पसत्रमिति श्रुतिः ॥१-१३-३९॥
Then, it is heard that the great king, descendant of Pandu, performed the great snake sacrifice.
तस्मिन्प्रवृत्ते सत्रे तु सर्पाणामन्तकाय वै । मोचयामास तं शापमास्तीकः सुमहायशाः ॥१-१३-४०॥
During the sacrifice that had commenced for the destruction of the serpents, the greatly renowned Āstīka released them from the curse.
नागांश्च मातुलांश्चैव तथा चान्यान्स बान्धवान् । पितृंश्च तारयामास सन्तत्या तपसा तथा ॥ व्रतैश्च विविधैर्ब्रह्मन्स्वाध्यायैश्चानृणोऽभवत् ॥१-१३-४१॥
He liberated his serpents, maternal uncles, and other relatives and ancestors through his progeny and penance. Additionally, he became free from debt by undertaking various vows and self-study, O Brahman.
देवांश्च तर्पयामास यज्ञैर्विविधदक्षिणैः । ऋषींश्च ब्रह्मचर्येण सन्तत्या च पितामहान् ॥१-१३-४२॥
He offered various sacrificial gifts to satisfy the gods, maintained celibacy and progeny to honor the sages, and revered the ancestors.
अपहृत्य गुरुं भारं पितृणां संशितव्रतः । जरत्कारुर्गतः स्वर्गं सहितः स्वैः पितामहैः ॥१-१३-४३॥
Jaratkaru, having fulfilled his firm vows and relieved the heavy burden of his ancestors, ascended to heaven along with them.
आस्तीकं च सुतं प्राप्य धर्मं चानुत्तमं मुनिः । जरत्कारुः सुमहता कालेन स्वर्गमीयिवान् ॥१-१३-४४॥
The sage Jaratkāru, having been blessed with a son named Āstīka and having fulfilled the highest dharma, eventually departed to heaven after a long life.
एतदाख्यानमास्तीकं यथावत्कीर्तितं मया । प्रब्रूहि भृगुशार्दूल किं भूयः कथ्यतामिति ॥१-१३-४५॥
This narrative of Āstīka has been recounted by me as it is. Please tell me, O esteemed Bhṛgu, what more should be narrated?
