01.222
Pancharatra: In spite of repeated appeals Sharngakas refuse to enter the hole.
Jarita spoke.
As soon as the mouse emerged from this hole, the hawk seized it; having caught the small creature with its feet, there will be no more fear from that. (1-222-1)
The Śārṅgakas said.
We do not know in any way whether the hawk has taken away that mouse. There will be others here as well; from them too, there is certainly fear for us. (1-222-2)
There is indeed doubt: fire may come, the return of the wind is seen; death may come to us from the dwellers of holes, O mothers, there is doubt. (1-222-3)
O mother, without doubt, a doubtful death is preferable. Go through the sky; you will find your excellent sons, though not in the proper way. (1-222-4)
The sage Jarita spoke.
I truly saw a hawk approaching the hole; the strong one seized the moving mouse and carried it away from the hole. (1-222-5)
I quickly followed that falling hawk from behind, uttering blessings for him as he carried the mouse out of the hole. (1-222-6)
O king of hawks, who carries away our enemy, run swiftly. Ascend to heaven, and be golden, free from enemies. (1-222-7)
When he was eaten by the hungry bird, I, having permitted him, returned towards the houses on my way back. (1-222-8)
Enter the hole confidently, my sons; you have nothing to fear. The hawk has surely taken the mouse I saw, there is no doubt. (1-222-9)
The descendants of Śārṅga said.
O mother, we truly do not know what the mouse took away earlier. Without knowing this, we will not be able to enter the hole. (1-222-10)
Jarita said.
I indeed know that the mouse was carried away by the hawk. Therefore, there is no fear; let my word be followed. (1-222-11)
The Śārṅgakas said.
You should not, by false conduct, dispel great fear. In the midst of confused knowledges, that is not truly accomplished by intellect alone. (1-222-12)
We have not benefited you, nor do you know who we are; afflicted by Bharata, what are we, who are we to you? (1-222-13)
O young woman, you are beautiful and capable of seeking a husband. Follow your own husband, and you will have excellent sons. (1-222-14)
We too, by entering the fire, will reach auspicious worlds. Then, let the fire not burn us; may you, indeed, return to us again. (1-222-15)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus addressed, Śārṅgī then left his sons in Khāṇḍava and quickly went to a place safe from Agni, where there was no refuge. (1-222-16)
Then the blazing fire-god with sharp flames approached the place where the Sarnga birds, the sons of Mandapala, were. (1-222-17)
The Śārṅgas, seeing the fire blazing with their own radiance, then Agni, the enemy of Jarita, addressed the purifier (Agni) with words. (1-222-18)
