Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/77

Rh the gods. By practising the Brahmacharya mode of life he conciliated the Rishis : and by begetting offspring he gratified bis ancestors."

"Thus Jaratkaru of rigid vows discharged the heavy debt he owed to his sires who being thus relieved from bondage ascended to heaven. Thus having acquired great religious merit. Jaratkaru, after a long course of years, went to heaven, leaving Astika behind. There is the story of Astika that I have related duly. Now, tell me, o tiger of Bhrigu's race, what else I shall narrate."

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

 

Saunaka said, "O Sauti, relate once more in detail this history of the learned and virtuous Astika. Our curiosity for bearing it is great. O a miable one, thou speakest sweetly, with proper accent and emphasis ; and we are well pleased with thy speech. Thou speakest even as thy father. Thy sire was ever ready to please us. Tell us now the story as thy father had related it."

Sauti said, -"O thou that art blest with longevity, I shall narrate the history of Astika as I heard it from my father I O Brahmana, in the golden age, Prajapati had two daughters. O sinless one, the sisters were endowed with wonderful beauty. Named Kadru and Vinata, they became the wives of Kasyapa. Kasyapa derived great pleasure from his two wedded wives and being gratified he, resembling Prajapati himself, offered to give each of them a boon. Hearing that their lord was willing to conter on them their choice blessings, those excellent ladies felt transports of joy, Kadru wished to have for sons a thousand snakes all of equal splendour. And Vinata wished to bring forth two sons surpassing the thousand offsprings of Kadru in strength, energy, size of body, and prowess. Unto Kadru her lord gave that boon about a multitude of offsprings. And unto Vinata also, Kasyapa said, 'Be it so!' Then Vinata, having obtained her prayer, rejoiced greatly. Obtaining two sons of superior prowess, she regarded her boon fulfilled. Kadru also obtained her thousand sons of equal splendour. 'Bear the embroyos carefully,' said Kasyapa, and then he went into the forest, leaving his two wives pleased with his blessings."

Sauti continued,"O best of regenerate ones, after a long time, Kadru brought forth a thousand eggs, and Vinata two. Their maidservants deposited the eggs separately in warm vessels. Five hundred years passed away, and the thousand eggs produced by Kadru burst and 