(Astika Parva)
Saunaka said, "For what reason did that tiger among kings, the royal
Janamejaya, determine to take the lives of the snakes by means of a
sacrifice? O Sauti, tell us in full the true story. Tell us also why
Astika, that best of regenerate ones, that foremost of ascetics, rescued
the snakes from the blazing fire. Whose son was that monarch who
celebrated the snake-sacrifice? And whose son also was that best of
regenerate ones?"
Sauti said, "O best of speakers, this story of Astika is long. I will
duly relate it in full, O listen!"
Saunaka said, "I am desirous of hearing at length the charming story of
that Rishi, that illustrious Brahmana named Astika."
Sauti said, "This history (first) recited by Krishna-Dwaipayana, is
called a Purana by the Brahmanas. It was formerly narrated by my wise
father, Lomaharshana, the disciple of Vyasa, before the dwellers of the
Naimisha forest, at their request. I was present at the recital, and, O
Saunaka, since thou askest me, I shall narrate the history of Astika
exactly as I heard it. O listen, as I recite in full that sin-destroying
story.
"The father of Astika was powerful like Prajapati. He was a Brahmacharin,
always engaged in austere devotions. He ate sparingly, was a great ascetic,
and had his lust under complete control. And he was known by the name of
Jaratkaru. That foremost one among the Yayavaras, virtuous and of rigid
vows, highly blessed and endued with great ascetic power, once undertook a
journey over the world. He visited diverse places, bathed in diverse
sacred waters, and rested where night overtook him. Endued with great
energy, he practised religious austerities, hard to be practised by men of
unrestrained souls. The sage lived upon air only, and renounced sleep for
ever. Thus going about like a blazing fire, one day he happened to see his
ancestors, hanging heads down in a great hole, their feet pointing upwards.
On seeing them, Jaratkaru addressed them, saying:
"'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! 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 hole. 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, O 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, O child, to beget a son to
extend our line. Thou wilt then, O excellent one, have done a meritorious
act for both thyself and us. Not by the fruits of virtue, not by ascetic
penances well hoarded up, acquireth the merit which one doth by becoming a
father. Therefore, O child, by our command, set thy heart upon marriage
and offspring. Even this is our highest good.'
"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 Sastric 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 girl! 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 like.'"
So ends the thirteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.