Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/170

136 thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and the question of her maintenance also being unsettled, reflected for a few moments, hesitating to accept her. And then, O son of Bhrigu, he asked Vasuki the maiden's mame, and also said unto him, 'I shall not maintain her.

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

 

( Astika Parva continued. )

Sauti said, "And then Vasuki spake unto the Rishi Jaratkaru these words:—'O best of Brahmanas, this maiden is of the same name with thee. She is my sister and hath ascetic merit. I will maintain thy wife; accept of her. O thou of ascetic wealth, I shall protect her with all my ability. And O thou foremost of great Munis, she hath been reared by me for thee!' And the Rishi replied, 'This is appointed between us that I shall not maintain her: and she shall not do aught that I do not like. And if she do, I leave her.

Santi continued, "And when the snake had promised, saying, 'I shall maintain my sister,' Jaratkaru then went to the snake's home. Then that first of mantra-knowing Brahmanas, observant of rigid vows, the virtuous and veteran ascetic, took her hand presented to him with ordained mantras. And taking his bride with him, adored by the great Rishis, he then entered the delightful chamber set apart for him by the king of the snakes. And in that chamber was a bedstead covered with very valuable coverlets. And Jaratkaru lived there with his wife. And the excellent Rishi made an appointment with his wife, saying, 'Nothing must ever be done or said by thee that is against my liking. And upon thy doing any such thing I would leave thee and no longer continue in thy house. Take these words that have been spoken by me.'

"And then the sister of the king of the snakes, in great anxiety and grieving exceedingly, spake unto him, saying, 'Be it so.' And moved by the desire of doing good to her relatives, of unsullied reputation, she then began to attend upon 