Section LIV

"Sauti said, 'Then the snake-dame Jaratkaru, calling her own son, told him the following words according to the directions of Vasuki, the king of the snakes.

'O son, the time is come for the accomplishment of that object for which I was bestowed on your father by my brother. Therefore, do you that which should be done.'

"Astika asked,

'Why were you, O mother, bestowed on my father by my uncle? Tell me all truly so that on hearing it, I may do what is proper.'

"Then Jaratkaru, the sister of the king of the snakes, herself unmoved by the general distress, and even desirous of the welfare of her relatives, said unto him,

'O son, it is said that the mother of all the snakes is Kadru. Know you why she cursed in anger her sons.'

Addressing the snakes she said,

'As you have refused to falsely represent Uccaihsravas, the prince of horses, for bringing about Vinata’s bondage according to the wager, therefore, shall he whose charioteer is Vayu burn you all in Janamejaya’s sacrifice. And perishing in that sacrifice, you shall go to the region of the unredeemed spirits.'

The Grandsire of all the worlds spake unto her while uttering this curse, 'Be it so,' and thus approved of her speech. Vasuki, having heard that curse and then the words of the Grandsire, sought the protection of the gods, O child, on the occasion when the amrita was being churned for. And the gods, their object fulfilled, for they had obtained the excellent amrita, with Vasuki ahead, approached the Grandsire. And all the gods, with king Vasuki, sought to incline Him who was born of the lotus to be propitious, so that the curse might be made abortive.'

"And the gods said,

'O Lord, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, is sorry on account of his relatives. How may his mother’s curse prove abortive?'

"Brahman thereupon replied, saying, 'Jaratkaru will take unto himself a wife of the name of Jaratkaru; the Brahmana born of her will relieve the snakes.'

"Vasuki, the best of snakes, hearing those words, bestowed me, O you of godlike looks, on your high-souled father some time before the commencement of the sacrifice. And from that marriage you are born of me. That time has come. It behoves you to protect us from this danger. It behoves you to protect my brother and myself from the fire, so that the object, viz., our relief, for which I was bestowed on your wise father, may not be unfulfilled. What dost you think, O son?'

"Sauti continued, 'Thus addressed, Astika said unto his mother,

'Yes, I will.'

And he then addressed the afflicted Vasuki, and as if infusing life into him, said,

'O Vasuki, you best of snakes, you great being, truly do I say, I shall relieve you from that curse. Be easy, O snake! There is no fear any longer. I shall strive earnestly so that good may come! Nobody has ever said that my speech, even in jest, has proved false.

Hence on serious occasions like this, I need not say anything more, O uncle, going thither today I shall gratify, with words mixed with blessings, the monarch Janamejaya installed at the sacrifice, so that, O excellent one, the sacrifice may stop. O highminded one, O king of the snakes, believe all that I say. Believe me, my resolve can never be unfulfilled.'

"And Vasuki then said,

'O Astika, my head swims and my heart breaks. I cannot discern the points of the earth, as I am afflicted with a mother’s curse.'

"And Astika said,

'You best of snakes, it behoves you not to grieve any longer. I shall dispel this fear of thine from the blazing fire. This terrible punishment, capable of burning like the fire at the end of the Yuga, I shall extinguish. Nurse not your fear any longer.'

"Sauti continued, 'Then that best of Brahmanas, Astika, quelling the terrible fear of the Vasuki’s heart, and taking it, as it were, on himself, wended, for the relief of the king of the snakes, with speed to Janamejaya’s sacrifice blessed with every merit. And Astika having gone thither, beheld the excellent sacrificial compound with numerous Sadasyas on it whose splendour was like unto that of the Sun or Agni.

But that best of Brahmanas was refused admittance by the door-keepers. And the mighty ascetic gratified them, being desirous of entering the sacrificial compound. And that best of Brahmanas, that foremost of all virtuous men, having entered the excellent sacrificial compound, began to adore the king of infinite achievements, Ritwiks, the Sadasyas, and also the sacred fire.'"