01.043
Library: Jaratkaru takes leave of Jaratkaru on a pretext, but promises a great progeny.
Sūta said:
Vasuki then spoke to the sage Jaratkaru, saying, 'This girl, who is named, is your daughter and my sister, endowed with penance.'
I will take care of your wife, please accept her, O noble Brahmin. I will protect her with all my strength, O sage rich in penance.
Jaratkaru, having been promised by the serpent that he would support his sister, then went to the serpent's house.
There, the noble sage, esteemed among those who know mantras, matured in his ascetic practices and committed to great vows, righteously took the hand in marriage, following the sacred rituals.
Then, taking his wife, he proceeded to the pure and esteemed abode of the serpent king, while being praised by the great sages.
Jaratkaru lived there with his wife, in a bed that was splendidly arranged and covered, enjoying their companionship.
The noble man made a pact with his wife that nothing unpleasant should ever be done or said to him.
I would indeed abandon you, O unpleasing one, for the sake of living in your house. Please accept these words spoken by me.
Then, the sister of the lord of serpents, deeply troubled and overwhelmed with grief, spoke to him, saying, "Let it be so."
In the same manner, the glorious lady, desiring affection, served her sorrowful-natured husband with strategies akin to the white crow.
Once, during the appropriate season, Vāsuki's sister, having bathed, approached her husband, the great sage, in accordance with tradition.
There, her embryo was born, resembling fire, and was extremely endowed with penance, shining like Agni. Just as the moon grows in the bright fortnight, so did he.
After a few days, the great sage Jaratkaru, weary and tired, rested his head on her lap and fell asleep.
When the revered Brahmin was asleep, the sun set behind the mountain. At the end of the day, she, the wise sister of Vasuki, contemplated, fearing the decline of righteousness.
What indeed is my good deed, whether it be the raising of my husband or not? How could I not offend this sorrowful and righteous soul?
The anger or loss of righteousness in a virtuous person, or again, the loss of righteousness, may indeed be considered more significant here, thus affecting the mind.
I will raise him if he certainly becomes angry. His transgression of twilight would certainly lead to a loss of dharma.
Having made up her mind, Jaratkaru, the serpent, addressed the sage, who was lying there with a blazing penance, like fire, with gentle and sweet words.
Arise, O great one, the sun is setting. Worship the twilight, O revered sage, after touching water, steadfast in your vows.
The sacrificial fire has been completed, and this moment is both beautiful and fierce. The twilight is beginning in the western direction, O lord.
Thus addressed, the venerable sage Jaratkaru, known for his great asceticism, spoke to his wife with trembling lips.
You have insulted me, my serpent. I will not stay near you; I will return the way I came.
O beautiful-thighed one, indeed, there is no light in me when I am asleep, as the sun sets in its due time, this thought exists in my heart.
And here, no one would like to dwell if they are disrespected; let alone a virtuous person, myself, or someone like me.
Upon being addressed by her husband Jaratkaru, whose heart was trembling, the sister spoke in the abode of Vasuki.
I have awakened you out of disrespect so that you do not suffer a loss of dharma, O wise one. This is why I have done it.
The sage Jaratkaru, in great anger, spoke to his wife, the serpent-woman, expressing his desire to leave her.
I assure you, O serpent, my words are true; I will go as promised. This agreement was indeed made between us earlier.
I have stayed happily, O gentle one, you should tell your brother, O auspicious one. When I have left from here, O timid one, the Lord has also departed. You too, even when I have gone, should not grieve.
Thus addressed, the faultless-bodied lady replied to her husband Jaratkaru, who was absorbed in anxiety and sorrow.
The beautiful lady, with her voice choked with tears and her face drying up, stood with joined palms and eyes full of tears. Then, gathering her courage, she stood with her beautiful thighs trembling and her heart shaking.
You should not abandon me, O knower of dharma, as I am innocent and always devoted to righteousness and the welfare of others.
O best of the twice-born, what will Vasuki say to me for not obtaining that which was my reason for giving to you?
O virtuous one, my relatives, who are overcome by a mother's curse, have not yet seen the desired offspring from you.
Indeed, by obtaining offspring from you, my relatives will find welfare. Let this union with you, O Brahmin, not be in vain.
O Lord, desiring the welfare of my relatives, I beseech you. Having placed this unmanifest form in my womb, O noble one, how can you, being a great soul, wish to abandon me and go to the innocent?
Thus addressed, the sage spoke to his wife: "If it is appropriate and suitable, Jaratkaru, the ascetic."
O fortunate one, within you is an embryo comparable to Agni, a sage of supreme righteousness who has mastered the Vedas and Vedangas.
After speaking thus, the righteous sage Jaratkaru, with firm determination, went again to perform intense penance.
