01.034
Library: As per Brahma’s word, Jaratkaru will marry Jaratkaru, Vasuki’s sister to beget Astika, who will free snakes from the curse.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तेषां सर्वेषामिति चेति च। वासुकेश्च वचः श्रुत्वा एलापत्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥१-३४-१॥
Elāpatra, having listened to the words of everyone and also to Vāsuki's words, spoke as follows.
न स यज्ञो न भविता न स राजा तथाविधः। जनमेजयः पाण्डवेयो यतोऽस्माकं महाभयम् ॥१-३४-२॥
He is neither the sacrifice nor the king as such. It is Janamejaya, the descendant of Pandu, from whom our great fear arises.
दैवेनोपहतो राजन्यो भवेदिह पूरुषः। स दैवमेवाश्रयते नान्यत्तत्र परायणम् ॥१-३४-३॥
When afflicted by fate, a Kshatriya here becomes just a man. He relies solely on fate, finding no other refuge or shelter there.
तदिदं दैवमस्माकं भयं पन्नगसत्तमाः। दैवमेवाश्रयामोऽत्र शृणुध्वं च वचो मम ॥१-३४-४॥
This divine fear is ours, O best of serpents. Here, we take refuge only in the divine, so listen to my words.
अहं शापे समुत्सृष्टे समश्रौषं वचस्तदा। मातुरुत्सङ्गमारूढो भयात्पन्नगसत्तमाः ॥१-३४-५॥
O best of serpents, I heard those words when the curse was released, while I was sitting on my mother's lap out of fear.
देवानां पन्नगश्रेष्ठास्तीक्ष्णास्तीक्ष्णा इति प्रभो। पितामहमुपागम्य दुःखार्तानां महाद्युते ॥१-३४-६॥
O lord, the best among the serpents of the gods are indeed sharp. Having approached the grandsire, they are distressed, O great effulgence.
देवा ऊचुः॥
The gods spoke:
का हि लब्ध्वा प्रियान्पुत्राञ्शपेदेवं पितामह। ऋते कद्रूं तीक्ष्णरूपां देवदेव तवाग्रतः ॥१-३४-७॥
Who, having obtained beloved sons, would curse in such a manner, O grandfather, except for Kadrū, who is fierce in form, O lord of lords, in your presence?
तथेति च वचस्तस्यास्त्वयाप्युक्तं पितामह। एतदिच्छाम विज्ञातुं कारणं यन्न वारिता ॥१-३४-८॥
Thus, grandfather, you also spoke her words. We wish to know the reason why it was not stopped.
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahma spoke:
बहवः पन्नगास्तीक्ष्णा भीमवीर्या विषोल्बणाः। प्रजानां हितकामोऽहं न निवारितवांस्तदा ॥१-३४-९॥
There were many fierce serpents with terrible strength and full of poison. For the welfare of the people, I did not restrain them at that time.
ये दन्दशूकाः क्षुद्राश्च पापचारा विषोल्बणाः। तेषां विनाशो भविता न तु ये धर्मचारिणः ॥१-३४-१०॥
The destruction will come to those who are like serpents, mean, evil-doers, and venomous, but not to those who follow righteousness.
यन्निमित्तं च भविता मोक्षस्तेषां महाभयात्। पन्नगानां निबोधध्वं तस्मिन्काले तथागते ॥१-३४-११॥
Understand the reason that will bring liberation from great fear to the serpents at the time when the Tathagata (Buddha) arrives.
यायावरकुले धीमान्भविष्यति महानृषिः। जरत्कारुरिति ख्यातस्तेजस्वी नियतेन्द्रियः ॥१-३४-१२॥
In the family of wanderers, there will be a wise and great sage named Jaratkaru, who will be known for his brilliance and self-control.
तस्य पुत्रो जरत्कारोरुत्पत्स्यति महातपाः। आस्तीको नाम यज्ञं स प्रतिषेत्स्यति तं तदा ॥ तत्र मोक्ष्यन्ति भुजगा ये भविष्यन्ति धार्मिकाः ॥१-३४-१३॥
A great ascetic named Āstīka will be born as the son of Jaratkāru. He will then stop that sacrifice, and the righteous serpents will be freed.
देवा ऊचुः॥
The gods spoke:
स मुनिप्रवरो देव जरत्कारुर्महातपाः। कस्यां पुत्रं महात्मानं जनयिष्यति वीर्यवान् ॥१-३४-१४॥
The great sage Jaratkaru, known for his intense penance, will beget a powerful and noble son. In whom will this occur, O divine one?
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahma spoke:
सनामायां सनामा स कन्यायां द्विजसत्तमः। अपत्यं वीर्यवान्देवा वीर्यवज्जनयिष्यति ॥१-३४-१५॥
O best of the twice-born, in the maiden named Sanama, a powerful offspring will be begotten by the powerful god.
एलापत्र उवाच॥
Elapatra spoke:
एवमस्त्विति तं देवाः पितामहमथाब्रुवन्। उक्त्वा चैवं गता देवाः स च देवः पितामहः ॥१-३४-१६॥
The gods said to the grandfather, "So be it." After saying this, the gods departed, and the god, the grandfather, remained.
सोऽहमेवं प्रपश्यामि वासुके भगिनीं तव। जरत्कारुरिति ख्यातां तां तस्मै प्रतिपादय ॥१-३४-१७॥
Thus, I see, O Vāsuki, your sister known as Jaratkāru; give her to him.
भैक्षवद्भिक्षमाणाय नागानां भयशान्तये। ऋषये सुव्रताय त्वमेष मोक्षः श्रुतो मया ॥१-३४-१८॥
I have heard this liberation, like a beggar to the one begging, for the pacification of the serpents' fear, to the sage of good vows, you.
