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Library:How Jaratkaru marries Jaratkaru to prevent Yayavaras, the ancestors from falling down!
Śaunaka spoke.
O tiger among kings, please tell me why King Janamejaya conducted the snake sacrifice that led to the end of the snakes.
Āstīka, the revered sage, questioned the purpose and released the serpents from the blazing fire.
Tell me, whose son was the king who performed the snake sacrifice, and whose son is considered the best among the twice-born?
Sūta said.
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.
Śaunaka spoke.
I wish to hear the entire delightful story of the renowned ancient Brāhmaṇa Āstīka.
Sūta said.
The elders of Naimisharanya describe this ancient history as narrated by Krishna Dvaipayana.
Previously, my father Lomaharṣaṇa, who was instructed and was a wise disciple of Vyāsa, was told this by the Brāhmaṇas.
Therefore, having heard it, I will truthfully narrate this story of Āstīka to you, O Śaunaka, as you ask.
Āstīka's father was a lord comparable to Prajāpati, always devoted to severe austerity, celibate, and disciplined in his diet.
Jaratkaru, a great sage known for his celibacy, was eminent among the wanderers, recognized for his knowledge of dharma and firm vows.
Once, while wandering, he saw his ancestors hanging upside down in a great pit, suspended by their feet.
Jaratkaru, upon seeing his ancestors, asked them why they were hanging in the pit or facing downward.
The grass clump was entirely eaten by a mouse that was hidden in the hole, where it permanently resided.
The fathers spoke.
We, the sages known as wanderers with firm vows, are descending to the earth, O Brahman, due to the extinction of progeny.
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.
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.
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?
We wish to know, O Brahman, who you are and why you are here. You should indeed show compassion to us who are pitiable.
Jaratkaru spoke.
My ancestors, you who are indeed my fathers and grandfathers, tell me what I, Jaratkaru, should do today.
The fathers spoke.
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.
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.
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.
Jaratkaru spoke.
I have always resolved not to take wives, but for your benefit, I will agree to marriage.
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.
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.
Who would give my wife to a poor man, especially? However, I will accept alms if someone offers.
Thus, O ancestors, I shall strive for the sake of marriage. By this method, I will never act otherwise.
There, a being will arise for your deliverance. Upon reaching the eternal abode, may my ancestors find joy.
Sūta said.
Then, at that time, the sage with firm vows wandered the earth seeking a wife, but he did not find one.
Once, the sage went to the forest, remembering his father's words, and slowly cried out three times seeking a maiden in alms.
Vasuki then accepted him by lifting his sister, but he did not accept her, thinking she was without a name.
The great soul Jaratkaru's mind was indeed settled on taking a wife who was ready and named.
The great wise Jaratkaru, a great ascetic, said to him: "What is the name of this sister of yours? Tell me the truth, serpent."
Vasuki spoke.
Jaratkaru, this is my younger sister Jaratkaru, who was protected earlier for your sake; please accept her, O best of the twice-born.
Sūta said.
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.
To appease the curse, the best of serpents offered his sister to the virtuous and ascetic sage.
He accepted her according to the prescribed rituals, and a son named Āstīka, who was of great soul, was born to her.
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.
Then, it is heard that the great king, descendant of Pandu, performed the great snake sacrifice.
During the sacrifice that had commenced for the destruction of the serpents, the greatly renowned Āstīka released them from the curse.
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.
He offered various sacrificial gifts to satisfy the gods, maintained celibacy and progeny to honor the sages, and revered the ancestors.
Jaratkaru, having fulfilled his firm vows and relieved the heavy burden of his ancestors, ascended to heaven along with them.
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.
This narrative of Āstīka has been recounted by me as it is. Please tell me, O esteemed Bhṛgu, what more should be narrated?
