Mahabharata - Ādi Parva (महाभारत - आदि पर्व)
01.033
Library: Focus shifts to snake sacrifice of Janamejaya. Snakes give inadequate suggestions on overcoming the danger.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
मातुः सकाशात्तं शापं श्रुत्वा पन्नगसत्तमः। वासुकिश्चिन्तयामास शापोऽयं न भवेत्कथम् ॥१-३३-१॥
Upon hearing the curse from his mother, Vasuki, the chief of serpents, pondered on how the curse might be averted.
ततः स मन्त्रयामास भ्रातृभिः सह सर्वशः। ऐरावतप्रभृतिभिर्ये स्म धर्मपरायणाः ॥१-३३-२॥
Then he consulted with his brothers and others like Airavata, who were truly devoted to righteousness.
वासुकिरुवाच॥
Vasuki spoke:
अयं शापो यथोद्दिष्टो विदितं वस्तथानघाः। तस्य शापस्य मोक्षार्थं मन्त्रयित्वा यतामहे ॥१-३३-३॥
This curse, as declared, is known to you, O sinless ones. We shall endeavor for the liberation from that curse after consulting.
सर्वेषामेव शापानां प्रतिघातो हि विद्यते। न तु मात्राभिशप्तानां मोक्षो विद्येत पन्नगाः ॥१-३३-४॥
There is a remedy for all curses, but not for those cursed by their mothers, O serpents.
अव्ययस्याप्रमेयस्य सत्यस्य च तथाग्रतः। शप्ता इत्येव मे श्रुत्वा जायते हृदि वेपथुः ॥१-३३-५॥
Hearing that I am cursed in front of the immutable, immeasurable truth, trembling arises in my heart.
नूनं सर्वविनाशोऽयमस्माकं समुदाहृतः। न ह्येनां सोऽव्ययो देवः शपन्तीं प्रत्यषेधयत् ॥१-३३-६॥
Indeed, it is declared that this is our total destruction, for the imperishable god did not stop her from cursing.
तस्मात्संमन्त्रयामोऽत्र भुजगानामनामयम्। यथा भवेत सर्वेषां मा नः कालोऽत्यगादयम् ॥१-३३-७॥
Therefore, let us deliberate here for the welfare of the serpents, so that time does not pass us by.
अपि मन्त्रयमाणा हि हेतुं पश्याम मोक्षणे। यथा नष्टं पुरा देवा गूढमग्निं गुहागतम् ॥१-३३-८॥
Indeed, while deliberating, we perceive the reason for liberation, just as the gods once discovered the hidden fire that was lost and had gone into a cave.
यथा स यज्ञो न भवेद्यथा वापि पराभवेत्। जनमेजयस्य सर्पाणां विनाशकरणाय हि ॥१-३३-९॥
The sacrifice, intended for the destruction of Janamejaya's serpents, either does not occur or is defeated.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
तथेत्युक्त्वा तु ते सर्वे काद्रवेयाः समागताः। समयं चक्रिरे तत्र मन्त्रबुद्धिविशारदाः ॥१-३३-१०॥
Thus, having spoken, all the descendants of Kadrava gathered there and made an agreement, being wise in counsel.
एके तत्राब्रुवन्नागा वयं भूत्वा द्विजर्षभाः। जनमेजयं तं भिक्षामो यज्ञस्ते न भवेदिति ॥१-३३-११॥
Some serpents there proposed, "Let us transform into the best of the twice-born and beg Janamejaya so that his sacrifice does not occur."
अपरे त्वब्रुवन्नागास्तत्र पण्डितमानिनः। मन्त्रिणोऽस्य वयं सर्वे भविष्यामः सुसंमताः ॥१-३३-१२॥
The other serpents, considering themselves wise, said that they would all become his highly esteemed ministers.
स नः प्रक्ष्यति सर्वेषु कार्येष्वर्थविनिश्चयम्। तत्र बुद्धिं प्रवक्ष्यामो यथा यज्ञो निवर्तते ॥१-३३-१३॥
He will inquire from us about the determination of purpose in all actions. There, we shall explain the wisdom as the ritual comes to an end.
स नो बहुमतान्राजा बुद्ध्वा बुद्धिमतां वरः। यज्ञार्थं प्रक्ष्यति व्यक्तं नेति वक्ष्यामहे वयम् ॥१-३३-१४॥
The respected king, known for his wisdom, will inquire clearly for the purpose of the sacrifice, and we shall respond accordingly, saying no.
दर्शयन्तो बहून्दोषान्प्रेत्य चेह च दारुणान्। हेतुभिः कारणैश्चैव यथा यज्ञो भवेन्न सः ॥१-३३-१५॥
They show many faults, both in this life and after death, with terrible reasons and causes, ensuring that the sacrifice does not occur.
अथवा य उपाध्यायः क्रतौ तस्मिन्भविष्यति। सर्पसत्रविधानज्ञो राजकार्यहिते रतः ॥१-३३-१६॥
Alternatively, the teacher who will be present in that sacrifice is knowledgeable in snake sacrifice rituals and is dedicated to the benefit of the king's duties.
तं गत्वा दशतां कश्चिद्भुजगः स मरिष्यति। तस्मिन्हते यज्ञकरे क्रतुः स न भविष्यति ॥१-३३-१७॥
After going there, a certain serpent will bite him, and he will die. If the sacrificer is killed, the sacrifice will not take place.
ये चान्ये सर्पसत्रज्ञा भविष्यन्त्यस्य ऋत्विजः। तांश्च सर्वान्दशिष्यामः कृतमेवं भविष्यति ॥१-३३-१८॥
Those who are knowledgeable about the snake sacrifice and will serve as priests, we will kill them all; thus it shall be accomplished.
तत्रापरेऽमन्त्रयन्त धर्मात्मानो भुजङ्गमाः। अबुद्धिरेषा युष्माकं ब्रह्महत्या न शोभना ॥१-३३-१९॥
There, the righteous serpents among them consulted and said, "This act of yours is foolish; killing a Brahmin is not a commendable deed."
सम्यक्सद्धर्ममूला हि व्यसने शान्तिरुत्तमा। अधर्मोत्तरता नाम कृत्स्नं व्यापादयेज्जगत् ॥१-३३-२०॥
Indeed, peace that is rooted in the correct and true dharma is supreme in times of adversity. Unrighteousness, known as excess, can destroy the entire world.
अपरे त्वब्रुवन्नागाः समिद्धं जातवेदसम्। वर्षैर्निर्वापयिष्यामो मेघा भूत्वा सविद्युतः ॥१-३३-२१॥
The serpents, on the other hand, declared that they would transform into clouds with lightning and rain to put out the blazing fire.
स्रुग्भाण्डं निशि गत्वा वा अपरे भुजगोत्तमाः। प्रमत्तानां हरन्त्वाशु विघ्न एवं भविष्यति ॥१-३३-२२॥
The best of serpents might stealthily take away the sacrificial vessel at night from the careless ones, thus creating an obstacle.
यज्ञे वा भुजगास्तस्मिञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। जनं दशन्तु वै सर्वमेवं त्रासो भविष्यति ॥१-३३-२३॥
In the sacrifice, serpents by the hundreds and thousands may bite all the people, and thus fear will arise.
अथवा संस्कृतं भोज्यं दूषयन्तु भुजङ्गमाः। स्वेन मूत्रपुरीषेण सर्वभोज्यविनाशिना ॥१-३३-२४॥
Alternatively, let the serpents ruin the prepared food with their own waste, destroying all that is edible.
अपरे त्वब्रुवंस्तत्र ऋत्विजोऽस्य भवामहे। यज्ञविघ्नं करिष्यामो दीयतां दक्षिणा इति ॥ वश्यतां च गतोऽसौ नः करिष्यति यथेप्षितम् ॥१-३३-२५॥
Others there said, "We will become his priests and create an obstacle to the sacrifice. Let the gift be given." He has gone under control and will act as we desire.
अपरे त्वब्रुवंस्तत्र जले प्रक्रीडितं नृपम्। गृहमानीय बध्नीमः क्रतुरेवं भवेन्न सः ॥१-३३-२६॥
Others, however, said there, 'The king is playing in the water. Let us bring him home and bind him; thus the sacrifice will not be completed.'
अपरे त्वब्रुवंस्तत्र नागाः सुकृतकारिणः। दशामैनं प्रगृह्याशु कृतमेवं भविष्यति ॥ छिन्नं मूलमनर्थानां मृते तस्मिन्भविष्यति ॥१-३३-२७॥
Others, however, said there that the serpents, who are doers of good deeds, will quickly seize this one and his condition will be resolved. The root of troubles will be cut off when he is dead.
एषा वै नैष्ठिकी बुद्धिः सर्वेषामेव संमता। यथा वा मन्यसे राजंस्तत्क्षिप्रं संविधीयताम् ॥१-३३-२८॥
This is the ultimate decision accepted by everyone. O king, let it be arranged quickly as you deem fit.
इत्युक्त्वा समुदैक्षन्त वासुकिं पन्नगेश्वरम्। वासुकिश्चापि सञ्चिन्त्य तानुवाच भुजङ्गमान् ॥१-३३-२९॥
After speaking thus, they gazed at Vasuki, the king of serpents. Vasuki, after contemplating, addressed the serpents.
नैषा वो नैष्ठिकी बुद्धिर्मता कर्तुं भुजङ्गमाः। सर्वेषामेव मे बुद्धिः पन्नगानां न रोचते ॥१-३३-३०॥
This final decision of yours, made by the serpents, does not please me at all.
किं त्वत्र संविधातव्यं भवतां यद्भवेद्धितम्। अनेनाहं भृशं तप्ये गुणदोषौ मदाश्रयौ ॥१-३३-३१॥
What should be done here that would be beneficial for you? I am greatly troubled by this, as both virtue and vice depend on me.

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ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्माऽमृतं गमय। ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति: ॥ - बृहदारण्यकोपनिषद् 1.3.28
"Ōm! Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. Let there be peace, peace, and peace. Ōm!" - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28

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