01.036
Library: Shringi comes to know about the episode of King Parikshit placing dead snake on his father's neck.
Śaunaka spoke:
O son of Suta, I wish to hear about the sage Jaratkaru, the great soul, as you have mentioned.
What is the reason for the name of Jaratkaru being renowned in the world? You should properly explain the etymology of Jaratkaru.
Sūta said:
Old age is described as a terrible decay known as the artisan. His body was that of an artisan, and he, being wise, moved slowly and steadily.
It is said that Jaratkaru, the sister of Vasuki, destroyed through intense penance. Thus, O Brahman, she is known.
Upon being addressed in this manner, the virtuous Śaunaka spoke to Ugraśravas, acknowledging that it was indeed appropriate.
Sūta said:
Then, after a long time, that wise sage, who was firm in his vows and engaged in penance, did not desire to marry.
He, a great soul with upward-flowing energy, was deeply engaged in penance and self-study, free from fear and fatigue. He wandered the entire earth and did not even think of desiring a wife.
Then, at another time, somewhere, King Parikshit, known as the bearer of the Kaurava dynasty, appeared.
Just as Pandu, the mighty-armed and the best archer on earth, was once fond of hunting, so was his great-grandfather in ancient times.
The king roamed the land, hunting deer, boars, jackals, buffaloes, and various other wild animals.
Once, he shot a deer with a bent-jointed arrow and, taking his bow from behind, ventured into the dense forest.
Just as the revered Rudra, after piercing the sacrificial animal in the sky, pursued it with his bow in hand, searching everywhere.
The deer, once pierced by him, does not survive to reach the forest. It was certainly a sign of the previous form leading towards the heavenly path. King Parikshit, whose deer was lost after being pierced.
The king was led far away by the deer. Tired and thirsty, he came upon a sage in the forest.
In the pastures where the cows grazed, the calves drank the milk abundantly, utilizing the foam that came from their mouths.
The king, steadfast in his vows, swiftly approached the sage, raising his bow, and asked him, as he was afflicted by hunger and fatigue.
O Brahmin, I am King Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu. I have lost a deer that I pierced. Have you seen it, by any chance?
The sage, maintaining his vow of silence, did not respond. In anger, the king placed a dead snake on the sage's shoulder.
He lifted him up with the end of the bow, looked at him, and did not say anything, whether it was auspicious or inauspicious.
The king, having abandoned his anger and feeling distressed, went to the city after seeing the sage who remained there as he was.
His young son was named Śṛṅgī, who was sharp in brilliance, performed great penance, was known for his great anger, was difficult to appease, and was committed to a great vow.
He, devoted to the welfare of all beings, approached the supreme lord, Brahma, with great restraint at every moment. With Brahma's permission, he became a householder.
Addressed by a friend while playing, he was laughing there. The sage's son, extremely angry and irritable like poison, jested with the thin one, O best of the twice-born.
Your brilliant father, who is also an ascetic, carries the corpse on his shoulder. Do not be proud, O horned one.
Do not utter a word among the sons of sages, especially among those like us who are perfected, knowers of Brahman, and ascetics.
Where is your manliness, and where are those words of yours, born of arrogance? You, who are supposed to be wise, are now like a bearer of a corpse to your father.
