01.051
Library: King succumbs to Astika’s praise and stops the sacrifice.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya spoke:
बालो वाक्यं स्थविर इव प्रभाषते; नायं बालः स्थविरोऽयं मतो मे। इच्छाम्यहं वरमस्मै प्रदातुं; तन्मे विप्रा वितरध्वं समेताः ॥१-५१-१॥
The boy speaks like an old man; I do not consider him a boy, but an old man. I wish to grant him a boon; therefore, O assembled brahmins, fulfill my wish.
सदस्या ऊचुः॥
The members said:
बालोऽपि विप्रो मान्य एवेह राज्ञां; यश्चाविद्वान्यश्च विद्वान्यथावत्। सर्वान्कामांस्त्वत्त एषोऽर्हतेऽद्य; यथा च नस्तक्षक एति शीघ्रम् ॥१-५१-२॥
Even a young Brahmin is respected here by the kings, whether he is ignorant or learned. Today, he deserves all his desires from you, just as our Takshaka comes swiftly.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
व्याहर्तुकामे वरदे नृपे द्विजं; वरं वृणीष्वेति ततोऽभ्युवाच। होता वाक्यं नातिहृष्टान्तरात्मा; कर्मण्यस्मिंस्तक्षको नैति तावत् ॥१-५१-३॥
The brahmin, eager to speak, addressed the king, "O giver of boons, choose your boon." Then the priest, with a not very pleased heart, remarked, "In this act, Takshaka has not yet arrived."
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya spoke:
यथा चेदं कर्म समाप्यते मे; यथा च नस्तक्षक एति शीघ्रम्। तथा भवन्तः प्रयतन्तु सर्वे; परं शक्त्या स हि मे विद्विषाणः ॥१-५१-४॥
As I complete this task, and as Takshaka approaches swiftly, all of you must strive with all your might, for he is truly my adversary.
ऋत्विज ऊचुः॥
The priests spoke:
यथा शास्त्राणि नः प्राहुर्यथा शंसति पावकः। इन्द्रस्य भवने राजंस्तक्षको भयपीडितः ॥१-५१-५॥
As the scriptures have informed us and as the fire praises, O king, Takshaka is fear-stricken in the palace of Indra.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
यथा सूतो लोहिताक्षो महात्मा; पौराणिको वेदितवान्पुरस्तात्। स राजानं प्राह पृष्टस्तदानीं; यथाहुर्विप्रास्तद्वदेतन्नृदेव ॥१-५१-६॥
As Sūta Lohitaksha, the revered sage, had known before, he conveyed to the king when asked, what the sages had said, 'Speak this, O king.'
पुराणमागम्य ततो ब्रवीम्यहं; दत्तं तस्मै वरमिन्द्रेण राजन्। वसेह त्वं मत्सकाशे सुगुप्तो; न पावकस्त्वां प्रदहिष्यतीति ॥१-५१-७॥
Having referred to the ancient texts, I then declare: a boon was granted to him by Indra, O king. Stay here in my presence, well-guarded; the fire will not harm you, thus.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा दीक्षितस्तप्यमान; आस्ते होतारं चोदयन्कर्मकाले। होता च यत्तः स जुहाव मन्त्रै; रथो इन्द्रः स्वयमेवाजगाम ॥१-५१-८॥
Upon hearing this, the consecrated one, though suffering, sits urging the priest during the ritual. The priest, being prepared, offered with mantras, and then Indra himself came on the chariot.
विमानमारुह्य महानुभावः; सर्वैर्देवैः परिसंस्तूयमानः। बलाहकैश्चाप्यनुगम्यमानो; विद्याधरैरप्सरसां गणैश्च ॥१-५१-९॥
The great person ascended the chariot, praised by all the gods, and followed by clouds, celestial beings, and groups of Apsaras.
तस्योत्तरीये निहितः स नागो; भयोद्विग्नः शर्म नैवाभ्यगच्छत्। ततो राजा मन्त्रविदोऽब्रवीत्पुनः; क्रुद्धो वाक्यं तक्षकस्यान्तमिच्छन् ॥१-५१-१०॥
The serpent was placed in his upper garment; agitated by fear, he found no comfort. Then the king, desiring the end of Takshaka, angrily spoke again to his wise counselors.
इन्द्रस्य भवने विप्रा यदि नागः स तक्षकः। तमिन्द्रेणैव सहितं पातयध्वं विभावसौ ॥१-५१-११॥
O wise ones, if the serpent Takshaka is in Indra's abode, then cause him to fall into the fire along with Indra himself.
ऋत्विज ऊचुः॥
The priests spoke:
अयमायाति वै तूर्णं तक्षकस्ते वशं नृप। श्रूयतेऽस्य महान्नादो रुवतो भैरवं भयात् ॥१-५१-१२॥
Takshaka is swiftly coming under your control, O king. His terrifying roar is heard, echoing with fear.
नूनं मुक्तो वज्रभृता स नागो; भ्रष्टश्चाङ्कान्मन्त्रविस्रस्तकायः। घूर्णन्नाकाशे नष्टसञ्ज्ञोऽभ्युपैति; तीव्रान्निःश्वासान्निःश्वसन्पन्नगेन्द्रः ॥१-५१-१३॥
Certainly, the serpent, released by the thunderbolt-bearer, falls from the lap with its body loosened by spells. Whirling in the sky and unconscious, it approaches, breathing intensely, as the king of serpents.
वर्तते तव राजेन्द्र कर्मैतद्विधिवत्प्रभो। अस्मै तु द्विजमुख्याय वरं त्वं दातुमर्हसि ॥१-५१-१४॥
O King, your duty exists according to the rule, O lord. But you ought to give a boon to the best of the twice-born.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya spoke:
बालाभिरूपस्य तवाप्रमेय; वरं प्रयच्छामि यथानुरूपम्। वृणीष्व यत्तेऽभिमतं हृदि स्थितं; तत्ते प्रदास्याम्यपि चेददेयम् ॥१-५१-१५॥
O beautiful one, your qualities are immeasurable; I grant you a boon as you desire. Choose what you wish for, which resides in your heart; I shall give it to you, even if it is something that is not to be given.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
पतिष्यमाणे नागेन्द्रे तक्षके जातवेदसि। इदमन्तरमित्येवं तदास्तीकोऽभ्यचोदयत् ॥१-५१-१६॥
As Takshaka, the serpent king, was about to be consumed by the fire, Astika intervened, pointing out the gap, and urged them to stop.
वरं ददासि चेन्मह्यं वृणोमि जनमेजय। सत्रं ते विरमत्वेतन्न पतेयुरिहोरगाः ॥१-५१-१७॥
If you grant me a boon, O Janamejaya, I ask that your sacrifice be halted, so that the snakes may not fall here.
एवमुक्तस्ततो राजा ब्रह्मन्पारिक्षितस्तदा। नातिहृष्टमना वाक्यमास्तीकमिदमब्रवीत् ॥१-५१-१८॥
Thus addressed, King Parikshit, not very pleased, spoke these words to Astika, O Brahman, at that time.
सुवर्णं रजतं गाश्च यच्चान्यन्मन्यसे विभो। तत्ते दद्यां वरं विप्र न निवर्तेत्क्रतुर्मम ॥१-५१-१९॥
O sage, I am willing to give you gold, silver, cows, or anything else you desire as a boon, but my sacrifice will not be stopped.
आस्तीक उवाच॥
Āstīka spoke:
सुवर्णं रजतं गाश्च न त्वां राजन्वृणोम्यहम्। सत्रं ते विरमत्वेतत्स्वस्ति मातृकुलस्य नः ॥१-५१-२०॥
I do not desire you, O king, nor your gold, silver, or cows. Let this sacrifice of yours end for the well-being of our maternal family.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
आस्तीकेनैवमुक्तस्तु राजा पारिक्षितस्तदा। पुनः पुनरुवाचेदमास्तीकं वदतां वरम् ॥१-५१-२१॥
King Parīkṣita, having been addressed by Āstīka in this manner, repeatedly requested Āstīka, the best among speakers.
अन्यं वरय भद्रं ते वरं द्विजवरोत्तम। अयाचत न चाप्यन्यं वरं स भृगुनन्दन ॥१-५१-२२॥
O best of the twice-born, choose another auspicious boon. The son of Bhrigu did not ask for another boon.
ततो वेदविदस्तत्र सदस्याः सर्व एव तम्। राजानमूचुः सहिता लभतां ब्राह्मणो वरम् ॥१-५१-२३॥
Then all the Vedic scholars present there unanimously told the king: "Let the Brahmin receive a boon."
