Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/75

Rh 'Who are you thus hanging heads down in this hole by a rope of virana fibres that is again secretly eaten into on all sides by a rat living here?


 * The ancestors said,--'We are Rishis of rigid vows, called Yayavaras. We are sinking low into the earth for want of offspring. We have a son named Jaratkaru. Woe to us! That wretch hath entered upon a life of austerities only 1 The fool doth not think of raising offspring by marriage! It is for that reason, viz.. the fear of extinction of our race, that we are suspended in this bole. Possessed of means, we fare like unfortunates that have none ! O excellent one, who art thou that thus sorrowest as a friend on our account? We desire to learn. O Brahmana, who thou art that standest by us, and why, best of men, thou sorrowest for us that are so unfortunate."

"Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my sires and grandsires. I am that Jaratkaru! O. tell me, how I may serve you!"

"The fathers then answered,'Try thy best, child, to beget a son to extend our line. Thou wilt then, O excellent one, have done a meritorious act for both thyself and ourselves! Not by the fruits of virtue, not by ascetic penances well boarded up, one acquireth the merit which one doth by be becoming a father. Therefore, O child, by our command, set thy heart upon marriage and offspring ! Even this is our highest good 1

"Jaratkaru replied, 'I shall not marry for my sake, nor shall I earn wealth for enjoyment, but I shall do so for your welfare only. According to this understanding, I shall, agreeably to the Sashtric ordinance, take a wife for attaining the end. I shall not act otherwise. If a bride may be had of the same name with me, whose friends would, besides, willingly give her to me as a gift in charity, I shall wed her duly. But who will give his daughter to a poor man like me for wife, I shall. however, accept any daughter given to me as alms. I shall endeavour, ye sires, even thus to wed a wife! Having given my word, I will not act otherwise! Upon her I will raise offspring for your redemption, so that, ye fathers, ye may attain to eternal regions (of bliss) and may rejoice as ye likel"

So ends the thirteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.