Mahabharata Vol. 1 (Penguin Translated Texts) (18 page)

‘The snake-sacrifice then started according to the prescribed norms. The officiating priests, who were learned in their respective
duties, went about prescribed tasks. They dressed themselves in black garments and their eyes became red from the smoke. Chanting mantras, they offered oblations into the sacrificial fire. As they poured oblations into the mouth of the fire and uttered the names of the snakes, the hearts of the snakes trembled in fear. Thereafter, the snakes dropped into the blazing flames, wretched and screaming piteously at each other. They swelled, breathed hard and intertwined their heads and tails. In large numbers, they fell into the blazing fire—white, black, blue, old and young. Crying out terrible screams, they fell into the lofty and blazing flames, in hundreds, thousands, millions and tens of millions. O supreme among Brahmanas! Many snakes perished powerless. Among those which perished, some were small as rats, others large as trunks of elephants, or gigantic and immensely strong like mad elephants. Snakes of many colours, poisonous, terrible, like clubs and with immense strength, fell into the fire in large numbers, as a consequence of their mother’s curse.’

Shounaka said, ‘At the snake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava lineage, who were the supreme rishis who acted as sacrificial priests? Who were the
sadasya
s
¹⁴⁸
at that terrible snake-sacrifice that brought great fear and misery to the snakes? O son! You should describe this in detail. O son of a suta! We should know about those who knew the secrets of the snake-sacrifice.’

Souti said, ‘I shall certainly tell you the names of those wise ones who became
ritvija
s
¹⁴⁹
and sadasyas for the king. The hotar was the Brahmana Chandabhargava, who was born in Chyavana’s lineage
and was famous as one who was learned in the Vedas. The wise and old Brahmana Koutsarya Jaimini was the udgatar. Sharngarava was the brahman and Bodhapingala was the adhvaryu. Vyasa was a sadasya, together with his sons and disciples—Uddalaka, Shamathaka, Shvetaketu, Panchama, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kundajathara, the Brahmana Kutighata, Vatysa, the old Shrutashrava who was always engaged in austerities and studying, Kahoda, Devasharma, Moudgalya and Samasourabha. These and many other Brahmanas who were rigid in their vows became sadasyas in Parikshit’s son’s sacrifice.

‘When the officiating priests began to offer oblations into the flames of that great snake-sacrifice, terrible snakes that struck fear into living creatures began to fall into the fire. The fat and the marrow of the snakes thus burnt in the sacrificial fire and flowed like rivers, creating an intolerable stench as snakes continuously burnt. The screams of snakes that fell into the fire and those which were in the sky and were about to fall in and those that burnt were piteous.

‘Meanwhile, as soon as Takshaka, king of snakes, heard that King Janamejaya had been instated in the snake-sacrifice, he went to Purandara’s
¹⁵⁰
palace. The supreme snake told Purandara everything and confessing the evil that he had done, fearfully sought refuge. Indra was very pleased and told him, “O Takshaka! O king of snakes! You have nothing to fear here from the snake-sacrifice. For your sake, I have already pacified the grandfather.
¹⁵¹
Therefore, you need not be afraid. Drive this fever away from your mind.” Thus being reassured, the supreme among the snakes happily lived in Shakra’s
¹⁵²
palace.

‘But Vasuki became extremely distressed on seeing that many snakes were continuously falling into the fire and only a few remained in his lineage. Vasuki, supreme among the snakes, was miserable with grief and told his sister with a grieving heart, “O fortunate one! My limbs are burning. I can no longer see the directions. I am about to fall because I have lost consciousness. My mind is whirling.
My sight is failing. My heart is about to burst. Completely numbed, I may fall into the blazing fire without resisting. Parikshit’s son’s sacrifice will go on until he has exterminated our race. It is clear that I must also go to the land of the ancestors. O sister! The time for which I gave you to Jaratkaru has come. O sister! Save us and our race. O supreme among snakes! Astika will send the sacrifice
¹⁵³
that is being performed. In earlier times, the grandfather himself told me this. O sister! Therefore tell your beloved son, who is learned in the Vedas and respected even by those who are aged, to save me and those who are dependant on me.”’

Souti said, ‘At that, the snake woman Jaratkaru called her son and told him what Vasuki, king of the nagas, had told her. “O son! The time has come for attaining the objective for which my brother had given me to your father. Therefore, do what is necessary.” Astika said, “Why were you given by my uncle to my father? Tell me in detail, so that I can do what is necessary.” Jaratkaru, the sister of the king of snakes, wished to bring about the welfare of her relatives.

‘She resolutely told him, “It is said that the mother of all snakes is Kadru. Hear how she came to curse her sons in anger. She said, ‘O sons! You have refused to change the colour of Ucchaihshrava, the king of horses, despite my asking and because of the wager, have made me a slave to Vinata. Therefore, the god of fire will burn you in Janamejaya’s sacrifice. Thus being reduced to the five elements,
¹⁵⁴
you will go to the land of the dead.’ The great god, grandfather of all the worlds, himself heard this curse being uttered and approved. O son! On hearing this curse and the words of the grandfather, Vasuki sought refuge with the gods after the churning of the ocean was
over. Once they had obtained their objective and got the supreme amrita, the gods went to Prajapati
¹⁵⁵
with their brother
¹⁵⁶
leading the way. All the gods and King Vasuki sought to placate the grandfather so that the curse might have no effect. The gods said, ‘O lord! Vasuki, the king of snakes, feels sorry for his relatives. How can his mother’s curse be rendered ineffective?’ Brahma replied, ‘Jaratkaru will marry a wife named Jaratkaru. The Brahmana who will be born will save the snakes from the curse.’ O god-like son! When Vasuki, the lord of the snakes, heard this, he gave me to your great-souled father, long before this incident.
¹⁵⁷
You were born from me and your father. That time has now come and you should save us from the fear. You should save me and my brother from the fire, so that the reason for which I was given to your wise father is not rendered futile. O son! What do you think?” On hearing his mother’s words, Astika then agreed.

‘He addressed the suffering Vasuki and brought fresh life into him. “O Vasuki! O supreme among snakes! I will save you. I truly tell you that I shall free you from this curse. O snake! Be reassured and banish all fear. O tranquil one! I shall endeavour to bring about your welfare. No one can say that my tongue has ever uttered a lie, even in jest, not to speak of serious occasions. O uncle! I will go to Janamejaya, supreme among kings, now instated in the sacrifice. I shall please him with words that bring him good fortune.
¹⁵⁸
O supreme one! The king will then restrain himself from the sacrifice. O king of snakes! O one with great intelligence! Believe all that I say. Believe that what I have resolved is always fulfilled.” Vasuki replied, “O Astika! My head is whirling and my heart is splintering. I cannot see the directions and I am oppressed because of the curse
¹⁵⁹
of a Brahmana.” Astika said, “O supreme among snakes! You should not suffer any more. I shall destroy the fear that comes to you from
the blazing fire and the curse of the Brahmana, which has energy like the terrible fire at the time of destruction. You need not fear any more.” Then, after having removed the terrible fever from Vasuki’s mind and taking it on his own limbs, Astika, supreme among Brahmanas, swiftly went to where Janamejaya’s sacrifice, adorned with all the qualities, was being held.

‘Having gone there, Astika saw the splendid grounds that had been laid out for the sacrifice, populated with numerous sadasyas, as radiant as the sun and the fire. But the gatekeepers refused to allow entry to that best of Brahmanas. To gain entry, the best of Brahmanas praised the sacrifice.’

‘Astika said, “O son of Parikshit! O best of the Bharata lineage! Soma’s sacrifice, Varuna’s sacrifice and Prajapati’s sacrifice were held in Prayaga in ancient times. But your sacrifice is in no way inferior to theirs. Blessed be those who are dear to us. O son of Parikshit! O best of the Bharata lineage! Shakra
¹⁶⁰
performed one hundred sacrifices. But your sacrifice is equal to one hundred of his. Blessed are those who are dear to us. O son of Parikshit! O best of the Bharata lineage! This sacrifice of yours is like the sacrifices of Yama, Harimedha and King Rantideva. Blessed are those who are dear to us. O son of Parikshit! O best of the Bharata lineage! This sacrifice of yours is like the sacrifices of Gaya, King Shashabindu and King Vaishravana. Blessed are those who are dear to us. O son of Parikshit! O best of the Bharata lineage! This sacrifice of yours is like the sacrifices of Nriga, Ajamida and Dasharatha’s son.
¹⁶¹
Blessed are those who are dear to us. O son of Parikshit! O best of the Bharata lineage! This sacrifice of yours is like the sacrifice of King
Yudhishthira, who was the son of a god and a descendant of Ajamida and was famous even in heaven. Blessed are those who are dear to us. O son of Parikshit! O best of the Bharata lineage! This sacrifice of yours is like the sacrifice of Satyavati’s son, Krishna Dvaipayana,
¹⁶²
in which he himself was the priest. Blessed are those who are dear to us. Those who are seated here are as radiant as the sun and the fire and make it equal to the sacrifice of Vritra’s slayer.
¹⁶³
There is nothing that they do not know. The gifts given to them are inexhaustible. I am certain that there is no ritvija in all the worlds who is the equal of your ritvija Dvaipayana. His disciples travel the earth, having become ritvijas skilled in their duties. The great-souled god Vibhavasu
¹⁶⁴
Chitrabhanu,
¹⁶⁵
whose seed is golden, who trails black smoke, who consumes everything and whose head faces the south, is eager for your offerings. In the world of the living, there is no king equal to you in protecting his subjects. My mind is pleased at your perseverance. You are Varuna or Dharmaraja Yama. Like the wielder of the vajra, Shakra
¹⁶⁶
himself, you are the protector of all subjects in this world. In my view, in this world, you are the lord of all men. There is no king equal to you in sacrifices. You are like Khatvanga, Nabhaga and Dilipa. You are like Yayati and Mandhata in your power. You are like the sun in your splendour. In the rigidity of your vows, you shine like Bhishma. You are like Valmiki, whose firmness is subtle. You are like Vasishtha in controlling your anger. In my view, your sovereignty is like that of Indra and your radiance is like that of Narayana. You are like Yama in administering dharma. Like Krishna, you have all the qualities. Like the vasus, you are the abode of the goddess of wealth. You are the source of all sacrifices. You are like Dambhodbhava in strength. Learned in the use of arms, you are like Rama.
¹⁶⁷
In your energy, you are like Ourva and Trita. Like Bhagiratha, your sight inspires terror.”’

Souti said, ‘Thus addressed, they were all pleased—the king, the sadasyas, the ritvijas and the fire into which offerings are given. On seeing the expressions they manifested, King Janamejaya spoke.’

‘Janamejaya said, “Though he is but a child, he speaks like a wise old man. He is not a child. I think he is wise and old. I wish to grant him a boon. O assembled Brahmanas! Give me the required permission.”

‘The sadasyas said, “Even though a child, a Brahmana deserves the respect of kings, even more so if he is learned. This child deserves that you grant him his wishes, but not before Takshaka has swiftly come here.”’

Souti said, ‘The king was willing to grant the Brahmana boy a boon and was about to say, “Ask a boon from me.” But the hotar was not pleased at this and said, “Takshaka has not yet come to the sacrifice.” Janamejaya said, “Try your best to complete this sacrifice successfully. Use all your powers, so that Takshaka comes here without any more delay. He is the one I hate the most.” The ritvijas said, “O king! Takshaka now lives in fear in Indra’s palace. The
shastra
s reveal this to us and the fire also confirms it.” The great-souled suta Lohitaksha was well versed in ancient tales and had known this before. Asked again by the king on this occasion, he said, “O god among men! O king! What the Brahmanas have said is true. I know the ancient accounts and I say that Indra has granted him a boon saying that he should live secretly near him and the fire will not be able to burn him.” On hearing this, the king, who had been instated in the sacrifice, was angry and asked the hotar to perform his duties. He chanted mantras and poured oblations into the fire.

‘Thereupon, Indra himself arrived there. The great god came in his celestial chariot, worshipped by all the gods surrounding him
and followed by masses of clouds and large numbers of
vidyadhara
s
¹⁶⁸
and apsaras. But the snake
¹⁶⁹
hid himself inside Indra’s garments. At that, the king, who was determined to destroy Takshaka, angrily spoke to his priests who knew the mantras. “O Brahmanas! If Takshaka is in Indra’s palace, hurl him into the fire with Indra himself.” The ritvijas said, “O king! Look. Takshaka is coming now and will soon be under your power. His terrible roars and fearful cries can be heard. The snake has been given up by the wielder of the vajra. He has fallen and his body has been disabled through our mantras. Deprived of his consciousness, the king of snakes is falling from the sky. His sharp sighs and deep breaths can be heard. O lord of kings! Your deed is being properly performed. It is now proper for you to grant a boon to this best of Brahmanas.” Janamejaya said, “O one who is beyond measure! You are so handsome and so childlike that I wish to grant you a worthy boon. Therefore, ask for the desire that is in your heart. I promise you that I will grant it to you, if it can be granted.” Takshaka, the king of snakes, was about to fall into the sacrificial fire in a moment.