01.051
Library: King succumbs to Astika’s praise and stops the sacrifice.
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya spoke:
bālo vākyaṃ sthavira iva prabhāṣate; nāyaṃ bālaḥ sthaviro'yaṃ mato me. icchāmyahaṃ varamasmai pradātuṃ; tanme viprā vitaradhvaṃ sametāḥ ॥1-51-1॥
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.
sadasyā ūcuḥ॥
The members said:
bālo'pi vipro mānya eveha rājñāṃ; yaścāvidvān yaśca vidvānyathāvat. sarvānkāmāṃstvatt eṣo'rhate'dya; yathā ca nastakṣaka eti śīghram ॥1-51-2॥
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.
sūta uvāca॥
Sūta said:
vyāhartukāme varade nṛpe dvijaṃ; varaṃ vṛṇīṣveti tato'bhyuvāca| hotā vākyaṃ nātihṛṣṭāntarātmā; karmaṇyasmiṃstakṣako naiti tāvat ॥1-51-3॥
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."
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya spoke:
yathā cedaṃ karma samāpyate me; yathā ca nastakṣaka eti śīghram| tathā bhavantaḥ prayatantu sarve; paraṃ śaktyā sa hi me vidviṣāṇaḥ ॥1-51-4॥
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.
ṛtvija ūcuḥ॥
The priests spoke:
yathā śāstrāṇi naḥ prāhuryathā śaṁsati pāvakaḥ। indrasya bhavane rājaṁstakṣako bhayapīḍitaḥ ॥1-51-5॥
As the scriptures have informed us and as the fire praises, O king, Takshaka is fear-stricken in the palace of Indra.
sūta uvāca॥
Sūta said:
yathā sūto lohitākṣo mahātmā; paurāṇiko veditavānpurastāt. sa rājānaṃ prāha pṛṣṭastadānīṃ; yathāhurviprāstadvadetannṛdeva ॥1-51-6॥
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.'
purāṇamāgamya tato bravīmyahaṃ; dattaṃ tasmai varamindreṇa rājan. vaseha tvaṃ matsakāśe sugupto; na pāvakastvāṃ pradahiṣyatīti ॥1-51-7॥
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.
etacchrutvā dīkṣitastapyamāna; āste hotāraṃ codayaṅkarmakāle| hotā ca yattaḥ sa juhāva mantrai; ratho indraḥ svayamevājagāma ॥1-51-8॥
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.
vimānamāruhya mahānubhāvaḥ; sarvairdevaiḥ parisaṃstūyamānaḥ| balāhakaścāpyanugamyamānaḥ; vidyādharairap sarasāṃ gaṇaiśca ॥1-51-9॥
The great person ascended the chariot, praised by all the gods, and followed by clouds, celestial beings, and groups of Apsaras.
tasyottarīye nihitaḥ sa nāgo; bhayodvignaḥ śarma naivābhyagacchat. tato rājā mantravido'bravītpunaḥ; kruddho vākyaṃ takṣakasyāntamicchan ॥1-51-10॥
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.
indrasya bhavane viprā yadi nāgaḥ sa takṣakaḥ. tamindreṇaiva sahitaṃ pātayadhvaṃ vibhāvasau ॥1-51-11॥
O wise ones, if the serpent Takshaka is in Indra's abode, then cause him to fall into the fire along with Indra himself.
ṛtvija ūcuḥ॥
The priests spoke:
ayam āyāti vai tūrṇaṃ takṣakas te vaśaṃ nṛpa। śrūyate'sya mahānnādo ruvato bhairavaṃ bhayāt ॥1-51-12॥
Takshaka is swiftly coming under your control, O king. His terrifying roar is heard, echoing with fear.
nūnaṃ mukto vajrabhṛtā sa nāgo; bhraṣṭaścāṅkānmantravisrastakāyaḥ| ghūrṇannākāśe naṣṭasañjño'bhyupaiti; tīvrānniḥśvāsānniḥśvasanpannagendraḥ ॥1-51-13॥
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.
vartate tava rājendra karmaitadvidhivatprabho। asmai tu dvijamukhyāya varaṃ tvaṃ dātumarhasi ॥1-51-14॥
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.
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya spoke:
bālābhirūpasya tavāprameya; varaṃ prayacchāmi yathānurūpam। vṛṇīṣva yatte'bhimataṃ hṛdi sthitaṃ; tatte pradāsyāmyapi cedadevam ॥1-51-15॥
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.
sūta uvāca॥
Sūta said:
patiṣyamāṇe nāgendre takṣake jātavedasi। idam antaram ityevaṃ tad āstīko'bhyacodayat ॥1-51-16॥
As Takshaka, the serpent king, was about to be consumed by the fire, Astika intervened, pointing out the gap, and urged them to stop.
varaṁ dadāsi cenmahyaṁ vṛṇomi janamejaya। satraṁ te viramatvetanna pateyurihoragāḥ ॥1-51-17॥
If you grant me a boon, O Janamejaya, I ask that your sacrifice be halted, so that the snakes may not fall here.
evamuktastato rājā brahmanpārikṣitastadā| nātihṛṣṭamanā vākyamāstīkamidamabravīt ॥1-51-18॥
Thus addressed, King Parikshit, not very pleased, spoke these words to Astika, O Brahman, at that time.
suvarṇaṃ rajataṃ gāśca yaccānyanmanyase vibhoḥ। tatte dadyāṃ varaṃ vipra na nivartetkraturmama ॥1-51-19॥
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.
āstīka uvāca॥
Āstīka spoke:
suvarṇaṃ rajataṃ gāśca na tvāṃ rājanvṛṇomyaham। satraṃ te viramatvetatsvasti mātṛkulasya naḥ ॥1-51-20॥
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.
sūta uvāca॥
Sūta said:
āstīkenaivamuktastu rājā pārīkṣitastadā। punaḥ punaruvācedamāstīkaṃ vadatāṃ varam ॥1-51-21॥
King Parīkṣita, having been addressed by Āstīka in this manner, repeatedly requested Āstīka, the best among speakers.
anyaṃ varaya bhadraṃ te varaṃ dvijavarottama। ayācata na cāpyanyaṃ varaṃ sa bhṛgunandana ॥1-51-22॥
O best of the twice-born, choose another auspicious boon. The son of Bhrigu did not ask for another boon.
tato vedavidastatra sadasyāḥ sarva eva tam। rājānamūcuḥ sahitā labhatāṃ brāhmaṇo varam ॥1-51-23॥
Then all the Vedic scholars present there unanimously told the king: "Let the Brahmin receive a boon."
