Mahabharata episode 38

 

Shaunaka said: “Who were the supreme sages and sages who participated in the sarpasatra of the wise Pandava king Janamejaya?

 

Who were the members of that terrible sarpa yagna that intended to cause great fear and sorrow to the Pannagas?

 

Suta! Tell me who was there who knew the methods of the sarpasatra. Explain everything in detail.”

 

The Suta said: “I will tell that nobleman the names of the Rtvijas and their members.

 

The famous Brahmin Chanda Bhargava, born in the family of Chyavana and the greatest of the Vedas, was living there.

 

The old and learned Brahmin Kautsa was the chief, Jaimini was the chief, Brahma was the chief, and Sharava was the chief, and Pingala was the chief.

 

Vyasa, accompanied by his sons and disciples, Uddalaka, Shamataka, Shvetaketu, Panchama, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kunda, Jatara, Dvija Kutighat, Vatsya, the old ascetic Srutashrava, the self-taught, Kahodha, Devasarma, Maudgalya, Shamasaubhara, and many others, were also in the Samsitavrata. Brahmins were members of that sarpayagna.

As the Ritvijas were offering sacrifices in that great sarpasatra, fierce serpents, terrifying to animals, were falling into the blazing fire.

 

The fat and flesh of the serpents were flowing in streams and the stench of them burning at the same time was spreading everywhere and could not be stopped.

 

The roar of the serpents falling, standing in the sky and basking in the fire could be heard everywhere.

 

As soon as they heard that King Janamejaya had been initiated, Nagendra Takshaka joined Purandara's palace.

 

The terrified takshaka surrendered to Purandara and reported everything to him in detail.

 

The beloved Indra said to him: “O Nagendra Takshaka! Here you need not fear any serpents.

 

In the past, I had prayed to my grandfather on your behalf. Therefore, you need not fear anything. Remove this fever from your mind.”

 

Having received such assurance from him, the snake takshaka lived happily in the palace of Shakra.

 

But Vasuki, seeing his lineage dwindling as the serpents kept falling into the fire, became sad and grieved. Vasuki, the god of snakes, was covered with a terrible black cloud. With a trembling heart, he said to his sister:

 

“My sister! My limbs are burning and I feel dizzy. I am collapsing like a fainting man and my mind is wandering.

 

My vision is wandering, my heart is breaking. Without any resistance, I am about to fall into that blazing fire.

 

The sacrifice has begun for the destruction of our clan. I am also certain that I will go to the house of my ancestor.

 

Sister! The time has come for which I gave you to Jaratkaru in hand earlier. Protect us along with all your relatives.

 

In the past, my father himself had told me that only Aasteeka could stop this ongoing sacrifice.

 

Therefore, sister! Teklll your beloved Vedavittama son, who is respected even by the elders, to free us all from this suffering today.”

 

This is the forty-eighth chapter of the Mahabharata, in the Adiparva, in the Astikaparva, in the Sarpasatra, in the Vasukivakya.