01.048
Library: Names of the officiating priests; Takshaka takes shelter with Indra; Vasuki pleads with his sister Jaratkaru to send Āstika.
शौनक उवाच॥
Śaunaka spoke:
सर्पसत्रे तदा राज्ञः पाण्डवेयस्य धीमतः। जनमेजयस्य के त्वासन्नृत्विजः परमर्षयः ॥१-४८-१॥
During the snake sacrifice of the wise King Janamejaya, the descendant of Pandu, who were the priests present? They were the great sages.
के सदस्या बभूवुश्च सर्पसत्रे सुदारुणे। विषादजननेऽत्यर्थं पन्नगानां महाभये ॥१-४८-२॥
Who were the members of the very dreadful serpent sacrifice that caused immense distress and fear among the serpents?
सर्वं विस्तरतस्तात भवाञ्शंसितुमर्हति। सर्पसत्रविधानज्ञा विज्ञेयास्ते हि सूतज ॥१-४८-३॥
Dear son of Sūta, you should narrate everything in detail, as they are indeed recognized as experts in the rituals of the snake sacrifice.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि नामानीह मनीषिणाम्। ये ऋत्विजः सदस्याश्च तस्यासन्नृपतेस्तदा ॥१-४८-४॥
Behold, I will now tell you the names of the wise individuals who were the priests and members of the king's assembly at that time.
तत्र होता बभूवाथ ब्राह्मणश्चण्डभार्गवः। च्यवनस्यान्वये जातः ख्यातो वेदविदां वरः ॥१-४८-५॥
There, then, the priest Caṇḍabhārgava, a Brahmin, was born in the lineage of Cyavana, known as the best among the knowers of Vedas.
उद्गाता ब्राह्मणो वृद्धो विद्वान्कौत्सार्यजैमिनिः। ब्रह्माभवच्छार्ङ्गरवो अध्वर्युर्बोधपिङ्गलः ॥१-४८-६॥
The wise and elderly priest Kautsārya Jaimini was the chanter, and he became Brahma; Shārṅgarava served as the priest Bodhipiṅgala.
सदस्यश्चाभवद्व्यासः पुत्रशिष्यसहायवान्। उद्दालकः शमठकः श्वेतकेतुश्च पञ्चमः ॥१-४८-७॥
Vyasa became a member with the help of his son and disciple. Uddalaka, Shamathaka, and Shvetaketu were the fifth members.
असितो देवलश्चैव नारदः पर्वतस्तथा। आत्रेयः कुण्डजठरो द्विजः कुटिघटस्तथा ॥१-४८-८॥
Asita, Devala, Nārada, Parvata, Ātreya, Kuṇḍajaṭhara, Dvija, and Kuṭighaṭa are all present.
वात्स्यः श्रुतश्रवा वृद्धस्तपःस्वाध्यायशीलवान्। कहोडो देवशर्मा च मौद्गल्यः शमसौभरः ॥१-४८-९॥
Vātsyaḥ, Śrutaśravā, who is old and dedicated to penance and study, along with Kahoḍaḥ, Devaśarmā, Maudgalyaḥ, and Śamasaubharaḥ.
एते चान्ये च बहवो ब्राह्मणाः संशितव्रताः। सदस्या अभवंस्तत्र सत्रे पारिक्षितस्य ह ॥१-४८-१०॥
These and many other Brahmins, who were firm in their vows, indeed became members of the assembly of Parikshit.
जुह्वत्स्वृत्विक्ष्वथ तदा सर्पसत्रे महाक्रतौ। अहयः प्रापतंस्तत्र घोराः प्राणिभयावहाः ॥१-४८-११॥
During the great serpent sacrifice, when the offerings were being made by the priests, the serpents fell there, causing great fear among all living beings due to their terrifying nature.
वसामेदोवहाः कुल्या नागानां सम्प्रवर्तिताः। ववौ गन्धश्च तुमुलो दह्यतामनिशं तदा ॥१-४८-१२॥
Streams carrying the fat and marrow of serpents began to flow, and an intense smell constantly blew from those burning at that time.
पततां चैव नागानां धिष्ठितानां तथाम्बरे। अश्रूयतानिशं शब्दः पच्यतां चाग्निना भृशम् ॥१-४८-१३॥
The sound of elephants falling from the sky was constantly heard, and they were being intensely burned by fire.
तक्षकस्तु स नागेन्द्रः पुरंदरनिवेशनम्। गतः श्रुत्वैव राजानं दीक्षितं जनमेजयम् ॥१-४८-१४॥
Takshaka, the serpent king, went to the abode of Indra upon hearing that King Janamejaya had been consecrated.
ततः सर्वं यथावृत्तमाख्याय भुजगोत्तमः। अगच्छच्छरणं भीत आगस्कृत्वा पुरंदरम् ॥१-४८-१५॥
Then, the best of serpents, fearful after committing an offense, narrated everything as it happened and sought refuge with Indra.
तमिन्द्रः प्राह सुप्रीतो न तवास्तीह तक्षक। भयं नागेन्द्र तस्माद्वै सर्पसत्रात्कथञ्चन ॥१-४८-१६॥
Indra, being pleased, said to Takshaka: "O lord of serpents, you have nothing to fear here from the serpent sacrifice."
प्रसादितो मया पूर्वं तवार्थाय पितामहः। तस्मात्तव भयं नास्ति व्येतु ते मानसो ज्वरः ॥१-४८-१७॥
I have already pleased the grandfather on your behalf. Therefore, you have no reason to fear; let your mental anguish be relieved.
एवमाश्वासितस्तेन ततः स भुजगोत्तमः। उवास भवने तत्र शक्रस्य मुदितः सुखी ॥१-४८-१८॥
Thus reassured by him, the eminent serpent then resided happily and joyfully in Indra's abode.
अजस्रं निपतत्स्वग्नौ नागेषु भृशदुःखितः। अल्पशेषपरीवारो वासुकिः पर्यतप्यत ॥१-४८-१९॥
Vasuki, greatly distressed and with few family members left, was continuously falling into his own fire among the serpents, feeling tormented.
कश्मलं चाविशद्घोरं वासुकिं पन्नगेश्वरम्। स घूर्णमानहृदयो भगिनीमिदमब्रवीत् ॥१-४८-२०॥
Vasuki, the lord of serpents, was overcome with confusion and terror. With a troubled heart, he spoke to his sister.
दह्यन्तेऽङ्गानि मे भद्रे दिशो न प्रतिभान्ति च। सीदामीव च संमोहाद्घूर्णतीव च मे मनः ॥१-४८-२१॥
O gentle lady, my limbs are burning, and I cannot perceive the directions. It feels as if I am sinking into confusion, and my mind is whirling.
दृष्टिर्भ्रमति मेऽतीव हृदयं दीर्यतीव च। पतिष्याम्यवशोऽद्याहं तस्मिन्दीप्ते विभावसौ ॥१-४८-२२॥
My sight wanders excessively, and my heart feels as if it is splitting. Today, I feel helpless and as if I shall fall into that blazing fire.
पारिक्षितस्य यज्ञोऽसौ वर्ततेऽस्मज्जिघांसया। व्यक्तं मयापि गन्तव्यं पितृराजनिवेशनम् ॥१-४८-२३॥
The sacrifice of Parikshit is being conducted with the intention to harm us. Clearly, I too must proceed to the abode of the king of the ancestors.
अयं स कालः सम्प्राप्तो यदर्थमसि मे स्वसः। जरत्कारोः पुरा दत्ता सा त्राह्यस्मान्सबान्धवान् ॥१-४८-२४॥
This is the time that has come for which you were given as my sister to Jaratkāru. Please protect us and our relatives.
आस्तीकः किल यज्ञं तं वर्तन्तं भुजगोत्तमे। प्रतिषेत्स्यति मां पूर्वं स्वयमाह पितामहः ॥१-४८-२५॥
Grandfather himself said before that Āstīka would indeed stop that ongoing sacrifice, O best of serpents.
तद्वत्से ब्रूहि वत्सं स्वं कुमारं वृद्धसंमतम्। ममाद्य त्वं सभृत्यस्य मोक्षार्थं वेदवित्तमम् ॥१-४८-२६॥
O dear one, tell me about your own child, the prince who is respected by elders. Today, you, along with your servants, are the best knower of Vedas for the purpose of liberation.
