(Astika Parva continued)
Sauti said, "Hearing the respective speeches of all the snakes, and
hearing also the words of Vasuki, Elapatra began to address them, saying,
'That sacrifice is not one that can be prevented. Nor is king Janamejaya
of the Pandava race from whom this fear proceedeth, such that he can be
hindered. The person, O king, who is afflicted by fate hath recourse to
fate alone; nothing else can be his refuge. Ye best of snakes, this fear
of ours hath fate for its root. Fate alone must be our refuge in this.
Listen to what I say. When that curse was uttered, ye best of snakes, in
fear I lay crouching on the lap of our mother. Ye best of snakes, and O
lord (Vasuki) of great splendour, from that place I heard the words the
sorrowing gods spake unto the Grandsire. The gods said, "O Grandsire, thou
god of gods who else than the cruel Kadru could thus, after getting such
dear children, curse them so, even in thy presence? And, O Grandsire, by
thee also hath been spoken, with reference to those words of hers, 'Be it
so.' We wish to know the reason why thou didst not prevent her." Brahman
replied, "The snakes have multiplied. They are cruel, terrible in form and
highly poisonous. From desire of the good of my creatures, I did not
prevent Kadru then. Those poisonous serpents and others who are 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 the name of Jaratkaru, intelligent,
with passions under complete control. That Jaratkaru shall have a son 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 will Jaratkaru, that foremost Muni, gifted
with great energy and asceticism, beget that illustrious son?" Brahman
answered, "Gifted with great energy, that best Brahmana shall beget a son
possessed of great energy on a wife of the same name as his. Vasuki, the
king of the snakes, hath a sister of the name of Jaratkaru; the son, of
whom I speak, shall be born of her, and he shall liberate the snakes."'
"Elapatra continued, 'The gods then said unto the Grandsire, "Be it so."
And the lord Brahman, having said so unto the gods, went to heaven. O
Vasuki, I see before me that sister of thine 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 abegging for a
bride. This means of release hath been heard of by me!'"