Mahabharata episode 39

 The Suta said: “Then Bhujangame Jaratkaru called her son and told him these words of the Naga king Vasuki.


“The time has come for me to fulfill the purpose for which my brother gave me to your father. Therefore, whatever must be done must be done.”


Astika said: “For what purpose did your brother give you to my father? Tell me all about it. After hearing it, I will do whatever I want.””


The Suta said: “Jaratkaru, the sister of the Naga king, who was a relative of his, said to the calm-hearted Astika:


“Son! The mother of all Nagas is known as Kadru. She became angry and cursed her children. Listen to the reason for that.


“Children! When I made a pledge of servitude to Vinata, you did not agree to lie about the colour of the horse Ucchaishrava. Therefore, in the sacrifice of Janamejaya, you will be burnt. In this way, you will join the world of ghosts or pretaloka nd become one with panchabhuta”



Thus, while she was cursing, the Father of the Universe lord Brahma also approved those words, saying, “So be it!”


Hearing this and the words of the Father, Vasuki, after churning the nectar, surrendered to the gods.


Then all the gods who had received the nectar, rewarded my brother and came to Prajapati.


He and all the gods asked the Father: “May this curse not befall King Vasuki!


The king of the Nagas, this Vasuki, is saddened. Lord! How can the curse of that mother be avoided?”


Brahma said: “Jaratkaru will accept Jaratkaru as his wife. The son born of them will free the Nagas from the curse.”


Jaratkaru said: “Hearing these words, Pannageshwara Vasuki gave me to your father Mahatma and in due time you were born to me.


Now the time has come. Save us from this fear! Save my brother from the devil!


Do not let the gift of me to your father be in vain. Or child! Do you have something else in mind?”


The Suta said: “Hearing this, the ascetic said to his mother, “So be it!” and spoke these words that brought back life to the sorrowful Vasuki:


“Pannagottama Vasuki! I will free you from that curse. I am speaking the truth.


Naga! Be of sound mind. You have no fear. Be gentle! I will try for your good. Even in jest, my words will never be false.

I will go to the yagna of that Janamejaya who is being initiated, and satisfy him with auspicious words, and the sacrifice of Janamejaya will end.


Mahamati Nagendra Vasuki! Put all your trust in me and the trust you have placed in me will never be false.”


Vasuki said: Astika! I am trembling and my heart is breaking, I am lost.”


Astika said: “Pannagottama! Do not fear anything. I will destroy this fear that has gripped you with the burning fire.


I will destroy this great and fierce, burning like the black fire. Do not fear in any way.”


The Suta said: “Then, tearing off Vasuki’s fierce fear and anxiety and carrying it on his shoulders, that Dwijasattama Astika set out in haste and rushed to the sacrifice of that Janamejaya, who was endowed with all qualities, for the salvation of the Bhujagendras or snakes.


There, the ascetic Astika saw a great yajna, surrounded by many members of the Surya Vahanisamaprabha.


As the Dwijasattam Astika was about to enter, the gatekeepers stopped him. But astika, began to praise the yajna in a loud voice.


This is the forty-ninth chapter of the Mahabharata, in the Adi Parva, in the Astika Parva, in the Sarpasatara, in the Astika Agamana.

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