Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/168

134 hath adopted asceticism alone. The rat that thou beholdest is Time of infinite strength. And he (Time) is gradually weakening the wretch Jaratkaru engaged in ascetic penances tempted by the merits thereof, but wanting in prudence and heart. O thou excellent one, his ascetieism cannot save us. Behold, our roots being torn, cast down from higher regions, deprived of consciousness by Time, we are going downwards like sinful wretches! And upon our going down into this hole with all our relatives, eaten up by Time even he shall sink with us into hell. O child, whether it is asceticism, or sacrifice, or whatever else there be of very holy acts, everything is inferior. These cannot count with a son. O child, having seen all, speak unto that Jaratkaru of ascetic wealth. Thou shouldst tell him in detail everything that thou hast beheld. And, O Brahmana, from thy kindness towards ourselves, thou shouldst tell him all that would induce him to take a wife and beget children. Amongst his friends, or of our own race, who art thou, O excellent one, that thus grieveth for us all like a friend? We wish to hear who thou art that stayest here.

And so ends the forty-fifth Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.

 

( Astika Parva continued. )

Sauti said, "Jaratkaru, hearing all this, became excessively sorry. And from sorrow he spake unto those pitris in words obstructed by tears. And Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my fathers and grand-fathers gone before me. Therefore tell me what must I do for your welfare. I am that sinful son of yours,—Jaratkaru! Punish me of sinful deeds and worthless as I am.'

"And the pitris replied, saying, 'O son, by good fortune hast thou arrived at this spot in the course of thy rambles. O Brahmana, why hast thou not taken a wife?"

"And Jaratkaru said, 'ye pitris, this desire hath always existed in my heart that I would, with vital seed drawn up, 