01.053
Library: Boon granted to Astika from snakes. Shaunaka asks Sauti to narrate Bharata as composed by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
इदमत्यद्भुतं चान्यदास्तीकस्यानुशुश्रुमः। तथा वरैश्छन्द्यमाने राज्ञा पारिक्षितेन ह ॥१-५३-१॥
We have heard another very wonderful story of Āstīka. Thus, King Parīkṣit was indeed pleased by the boons.
इन्द्रहस्ताच्च्युतो नागः ख एव यदतिष्ठत। ततश्चिन्तापरो राजा बभूव जनमेजयः ॥१-५३-२॥
The serpent fell from Indra's hand and remained suspended in the sky. Then King Janamejaya became anxious.
हूयमाने भृशं दीप्ते विधिवत्पावके तदा। न स्म स प्रापतद्वह्नौ तक्षको भयपीडितः ॥१-५३-३॥
During the intense and proper offering into the blazing fire, Takshaka, overwhelmed by fear, did not fall into it.
शौनक उवाच॥
Śaunaka spoke:
किं सूत तेषां विप्राणां मन्त्रग्रामो मनीषिणाम्। न प्रत्यभात्तदाग्नौ यन्न पपात स तक्षकः ॥१-५३-४॥
O Sūta, why did the collection of mantras of the wise not manifest in the fire, preventing Takshaka from falling?
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
तमिन्द्रहस्ताद्विस्रस्तं विसञ्ज्ञं पन्नगोत्तमम्। आस्तीकस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति वाचस्तिस्रोऽभ्युदैरयत् ॥१-५३-५॥
Āstīka, seeing the best of serpents fallen unconscious from Indra's hand, uttered three times the words 'Stay, stay' to halt the proceedings.
वितस्थे सोऽन्तरिक्षेऽथ हृदयेन विदूयता। यथा तिष्ठेत वै कश्चिद्गोचक्रस्यान्तरा नरः ॥१-५३-६॥
He stood in the sky with a troubled heart, just as a man might stand within the circle of cows.
ततो राजाब्रवीद्वाक्यं सदस्यैश्चोदितो भृशम्। काममेतद्भवत्वेवं यथास्तीकस्य भाषितम् ॥१-५३-७॥
Then the king, strongly urged by the members, agreed to the words spoken by Āstīka, saying, "Indeed, let it be so."
समाप्यतामिदं कर्म पन्नगाः सन्त्वनामयाः। प्रीयतामयमास्तीकः सत्यं सूतवचोऽस्तु तत् ॥१-५३-८॥
Let this act be completed, and may the serpents be unharmed. May Āstīka be pleased, and let the words of Sūta be true.
ततो हलहलाशब्दः प्रीतिजः समवर्तत। आस्तीकस्य वरे दत्ते तथैवोपरराम च ॥१-५३-९॥
Then, a joyous tumultuous sound arose. With the boon granted to Āstīka, it similarly ceased.
स यज्ञः पाण्डवेयस्य राज्ञः पारिक्षितस्य ह। प्रीतिमांश्चाभवद्राजा भारतो जनमेजयः ॥१-५३-१०॥
The sacrifice performed by King Parikshit, a descendant of Pandu, indeed pleased King Janamejaya, the Bharata.
ऋत्विग्भ्यः ससदस्येभ्यो ये तत्रासन्समागताः। तेभ्यश्च प्रददौ वित्तं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥१-५३-११॥
He generously distributed wealth in hundreds and thousands to the priests and members who were gathered there.
लोहिताक्षाय सूताय तथा स्थपतये विभुः। येनोक्तं तत्र सत्राग्रे यज्ञस्य विनिवर्तनम् ॥१-५३-१२॥
The lord addressed Lohitaksha, the charioteer, and the architect, declaring the cessation of the sacrifice at the beginning of the session.
निमित्तं ब्राह्मण इति तस्मै वित्तं ददौ बहु। ततश्चकारावभृथं विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥१-५३-१३॥
He gave much wealth to the Brahmin as a token. Then, he performed the concluding bath according to the prescribed rites.
आस्तीकं प्रेषयामास गृहानेव सुसत्कृतम्। राजा प्रीतमनाः प्रीतं कृतकृत्यं मनीषिणम् ॥१-५३-१४॥
The king, delighted and feeling accomplished, sent the honored Āstīka back to the houses, recognizing his wisdom and the fulfillment of his duties.
पुनरागमनं कार्यमिति चैनं वचोऽब्रवीत्। भविष्यसि सदस्यो मे वाजिमेधे महाक्रतौ ॥१-५३-१५॥
He instructed him to return, stating that it was his duty, and assured him that he would be a member in his great horse sacrifice ritual.
तथेत्युक्त्वा प्रदुद्राव स चास्तीको मुदा युतः। कृत्वा स्वकार्यमतुलं तोषयित्वा च पार्थिवम् ॥१-५३-१६॥
Thus, having spoken, Āstīka joyfully departed, having accomplished his unparalleled task and having satisfied the king.
स गत्वा परमप्रीतो मातरं मातुलं च तम्। अभिगम्योपसङ्गृह्य यथावृत्तं न्यवेदयत् ॥१-५३-१७॥
He went to his mother and uncle, very pleased, and after approaching and embracing them, he reported everything as it had happened.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीयमाणाः समेता; ये तत्रासन्पन्नगा वीतमोहाः। तेऽऽस्तीके वै प्रीतिमन्तो बभूवु; रूचुश्चैनं वरमिष्टं वृणीष्व ॥१-५३-१८॥
Upon hearing this, the delighted serpents gathered; those who were present there, free from delusion, became pleased with Astika and said to him, "Choose the boon you desire."
भूयो भूयः सर्वशस्तेऽब्रुवंस्तं; किं ते प्रियं करवामोऽद्य विद्वन्। प्रीता वयं मोक्षिताश्चैव सर्वे; कामं किं ते करवामोऽद्य वत्स ॥१-५३-१९॥
Repeatedly, everyone said to him: "What can we do for you today, wise one?" We are pleased and all liberated; what desire of yours shall we fulfill today, dear child?
आस्तीक उवाच॥
Āstīka spoke:
सायं प्रातः सुप्रसन्नात्मरूपा; लोके विप्रा मानवाश्चेतरेऽपि। धर्माख्यानं ये वदेयुर्ममेदं; तेषां युष्मद्भ्यो नैव किञ्चिद्भयं स्यात् ॥१-५३-२०॥
In the evening and morning, those who are of a clear and pleasant nature, whether wise men, humans, or others in the world, who speak this tale of righteousness of mine, shall have no fear from you.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
तैश्चाप्युक्तो भागिनेयः प्रसन्नै; रेतत्सत्यं काममेवं चरन्तः। प्रीत्या युक्ता ईप्सितं सर्वशस्ते; कर्तारः स्म प्रवणा भागिनेय ॥१-५३-२१॥
The pleased ones also spoke to the nephew: 'Indeed, this is the truth, acting thus. Engaged with affection, they are inclined to fulfill every desire, O nephew.'
जरत्कारोर्जरत्कार्वां समुत्पन्नो महायशाः। आस्तीकः सत्यसन्धो मां पन्नगेभ्योऽभिरक्षतु ॥१-५३-२२॥
Astika, the illustrious son of Jaratkaru and Jaratkarva, known for his truthfulness, may he protect me from the serpents.
असितं चार्तिमन्तं च सुनीथं चापि यः स्मरेत्। दिवा वा यदि वा रात्रौ नास्य सर्पभयं भवेत् ॥१-५३-२३॥
If one remembers Asita, Ārtimant, and Sunītha, whether during the day or at night, they will be free from the fear of snakes.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
मोक्षयित्वा स भुजगान्सर्पसत्राद्द्विजोत्तमः। जगाम काले धर्मात्मा दिष्टान्तं पुत्रपौत्रवान् ॥१-५३-२४॥
Having freed the serpents from the serpent sacrifice, the noble sage eventually passed away, a righteous soul, surrounded by his sons and grandsons.
इत्याख्यानं मयास्तीकं यथावत्कीर्तितं तव। यत्कीर्तयित्वा सर्पेभ्यो न भयं विद्यते क्वचित् ॥१-५३-२५॥
Thus, I have narrated to you the story of Astika as it was. By reciting this, one is protected from the fear of snakes anywhere.
श्रुत्वा धर्मिष्ठमाख्यानमास्तीकं पुण्यवर्धनम्। आस्तीकस्य कवेर्विप्र श्रीमच्चरितमादितः ॥१-५३-२६॥
Upon hearing the virtuous tale of Āstīka, which enhances one's merit, O wise one, the illustrious narrative of the sage Āstīka is recounted from the start.
शौनक उवाच॥
Śaunaka spoke:
भृगुवंशात्प्रभृत्येव त्वया मे कथितं महत्। आख्यानमखिलं तात सौते प्रीतोऽस्मि तेन ते ॥१-५३-२७॥
O Suta, dear father, you have narrated to me the entire great story starting from the Bhrigu lineage. I am pleased with your narration.
प्रक्ष्यामि चैव भूयस्त्वां यथावत्सूतनन्दन। यां कथां व्याससम्पन्नां तां च भूयः प्रचक्ष्व मे ॥१-५३-२८॥
O son of Sūta, I will ask you once more to narrate the story as it was told by Vyāsa.
तस्मिन्परमदुष्प्रापे सर्पसत्रे महात्मनाम्। कर्मान्तरेषु विधिवत्सदस्यानां महाकवे ॥१-५३-२९॥
In that serpent sacrifice, which was extremely difficult to attain and was conducted by the great souls, during the intervals of the rituals, O great poet, the members followed the rules.
या बभूवुः कथाश्चित्रा येष्वर्थेषु यथातथम्। त्वत्त इच्छामहे श्रोतुं सौते त्वं वै विचक्षणः ॥१-५३-३०॥
We wish to hear from you, O Sauti, the wonderful stories which truly contain meanings, as you are indeed wise.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
कर्मान्तरेष्वकथयन्द्विजा वेदाश्रयाः कथाः। व्यासस्त्वकथयन्नित्यमाख्यानं भारतं महत् ॥१-५३-३१॥
During the intervals of rituals, the learned Brahmins refrained from telling stories based on the Vedas. However, Vyasa continuously narrated the grand tale of the Mahabharata.
शौनक उवाच॥
Śaunaka spoke:
महाभारतमाख्यानं पाण्डवानां यशस्करम्। जनमेजयेन यत्पृष्टः कृष्णद्वैपायनस्तदा ॥१-५३-३२॥
The Mahabharata story, which brings glory to the Pandavas, was narrated by Krishna Dvaipayana when asked by Janamejaya.
श्रावयामास विधिवत्तदा कर्मान्तरेषु सः। तामहं विधिवत्पुण्यां श्रोतुमिच्छामि वै कथाम् ॥१-५३-३३॥
He narrated the sacred story properly during the intervals of the rituals. I indeed wish to hear that sacred story properly.
मनःसागरसम्भूतां महर्षेः पुण्यकर्मणः। कथयस्व सतां श्रेष्ठ न हि तृप्यामि सूतज ॥१-५३-३४॥
O son of Sūta, please narrate the stories arising from the ocean of the mind of the great sage of virtuous deeds, as I am not yet satisfied, O best among the virtuous.
सूत उवाच॥
Sūta said:
हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि महदाख्यानमुत्तमम्। कृष्णद्वैपायनमतं महाभारतमादितः ॥१-५३-३५॥
Indeed, I shall narrate to you the great and excellent story of the Mahabharata, as conceived by Krishna Dvaipayana, from the very beginning.
तज्जुषस्वोत्तममते कथ्यमानं मया द्विज। शंसितुं तन्मनोहर्षो ममापीह प्रवर्तते ॥१-५३-३६॥
O noble-minded one, accept what is being narrated by me, O twice-born. My mind also delights here in praising that.
