Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/111

Rh sinful. biting others for no faults, shall, indeed, be destroyed, but not they who are harmless and virtuous ! And hear also, how, when the hour comes, the snakes may escape this dreadful calamity. There shall be born in the race of the Yayavaras a great Rishi known by name of Jaratkaru, intelligent, given up to ascetic devotions, and with passions under complete control. That Jaratkaru shall have a son also given up to ascetic penances, of the name of Astika. He shall put a stop to that sacrifice. And those snakes who shall be virtuous shall escape therefrom! The gods said, 'O thou truth-knowing one, on whom shall Jaratkaru that first Muni, gifted with great energy and asceticism, beget that illustrious son ?' Brahmana answered, 'Gifted with great energy, that best Brahmana shall beget a son possessed of great energy on a wife of the same name with him. Vasuki, the king of the snakes, bath a sister of the name of Jaratkaru; the son, of whom I speak, shall be born of her, and he shall liberate the snakes I"

'Elapatra continued. - 'The gods then said unto the Grandsire-Be it so-And the lord Brabman, having said so unto the gods, went to heaven. O Vasuki, I see before me that sister of thine is known by the name of Jaratkaru. For relieving us from fear, give her as alms unto him (i.e.. the Rishi), Jaratkaru, of excellent vows, who shall roam a begging for a bride. This means of release bach been heard of by me l'"

So ends the thirty eighth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Sauti said, "O best of regenerare ones, hearing these words of Elapatra, all the serpents, in great delight, exclaimed, -'Well said, well said !' And from that time Vasuki set about carefully bringing up that maiden, viz., his sister Jaratkaru. And he took great delight in rearing her."

"And much time did not elapse from this, when the gods and the Asuras, assembling together, churned the abode of Varuna. And Vasuki, the foremost of all gifted with strength, became the churning-cord. And directly the work was over, the king of the snakes presented bimself before the Grandsire. And the gods, accompanied by Vasuki, addressed the Grandsire, saying.-'O lord. Vasuki is suffering great affliction from fear of his mother's curse)! It behoveth thee to root out the sorrow, begotten of the curse of his mother, that hath pierced the heart of Vasuki desirous of the weal of his race! The king of the snakes is ever our friend and benefactor! O Lord of the gods, be gracious unto him and assuage bis mind's fever." 13