The Snake People, continued...Astika the brahman boy.

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्

 देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्

Churning the Ocean of Milk by gods and demons

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

Jaratkaru continued her story...

“What do I have to do with this curse?”

“When the time of Janamejaya approached the snakes held a convention. It was decided that I would marry a brahman and raise a child who could stop the sacrifice.”

“How can you stop the sacrifice?”

Janamejaya is kind to brahmanas. If a brahman asks him for a boon he will be forced to stop the sacrifice. You are the only brahman who will ask this boon. No other brahman will support ending the snake sacrifice. I was married to your father Jaratkaru with this purpose in mind. You have been raised as a perfect and honest brahmana. But remember, you are the son of a Naga-born snake-woman. And your uncle is the great Vasuki. Even now, Vasuki is feeling the pangs of fire as the sacred mantras are drawing him towards the sacrifice of Janamejaya.

ASTIKA AND THE SNAKE SACRIFICE

After hearing this story, Astika acknowledged his mother’s request. He said, “As you wish mother. I shall protect you.” After this he went to Vasuki and told him, “O king of snakes! Be at peace. I shall ask Janamejaya for the boon and free all snakes  from the curse. I have never told a lie. Not even in jest.  I shall gratify king Janmayjay with my sweet words and he will stop this terrrible sacrifice. Uncle! Have faith in me.”

            Having thus assured that prince of snakes Vasuki, Astik set off to free snakes from the curse. When he reached the holy place where the sacrifice was being conducted he was stopped by the guards. The gatekeeper prevented him entering. But the young Astika was sweet and charming. He began to sing prayers of worship to the king and pleaded with him to allow entry to the sacrifice. And when the king heard him, he gave him permission to enter.

Snake Sacrifice of Janamejaya

Once he had entered the sacrificial arena, he began to sing praise to the nobility of Janamejaya and honored the rittviks, the sacrificial priests, and the sacred fire. That young and charming boy sang praises in honour of all the gods and all the learned scholars gathered there. This impressed the sages and scholars, winning the hearts and minds of all present.

Finally, the noble Janamejaya beholding the signs and indications there, said, “He is but a child, but he speaks like a wise old man. While he is young in face, he is wise in years. .I am very pleased with this child and wish to grant him a boon. I ask permission from the brahmanas present to pause this sacrifice in just a moment to grant him a boon. May I have your permission? ”  

And all those present agreed. Janamejaya said, “Only allow my priest here to finish the ceremony. At this time he is summoning Takshaka, the prince of snakes, my greatest enemy. But as soon as this ceremony has concluded we shall grant you a boon fortwith. And now, my priests, please do the needful to conclude the ceremony.”



            The sages replied, “We can understand from the god of fire, Agni, that Takshaka has taken shelter of the rain-god Indra. As long as he has sanctuary with the rain-god, we cannot call him down from the clouds.”

 “Try harder,” said the King.

The brahmanas again intoned their mantras.  But as they cast their glance into the heavens they could see that Takshaka had indeed taken shelter of Indra and that the raingod himself was giving him shelter.

 Enraged,  Janmayjay said, “So be it. With the power of the mantras from the snake sacrifice, you must now perform a ritual that that will call Indra himself as the refuge of snakes: he too will be dragged down and burned by this fire along with his friend, the serpent-king Takshak.”

Now the sky became brilliant as if with fire and everyone saw Takshaka, king of vipes, great enemy of Janamejaya holding  Indra the rain-god, his protector in the sky. And upon seeing the assembled brahmanas gathered there and intoning his name as the keeper of snakes, Indra himself was terrified. Seeing the powerful sacrifice and the huge fire with the river of reptilian fat running through the earth, Indra said,  “My friend, Takshaka. I can no longer protect you. Your fate is in the hands of the brahmanas.” and with this he disappeared, abandoning Takshaka.

 At this, Takshak himself became afraid for his life. As he had left the protection of the god of clouds, he lost consciousness and began to fall slowly through the clouds. From on high he fell, gradually closer to the fire.

            And seeing Takshaka falling from on high, the assembled brahmanas then told the king, “O king! Your task is near completion. Takshaka is falling into the fire. Your goal is met. Now, you may grant a boon to the brahmana boy.”

Astika sang the praises of the gods...

             Overjoyed with the prospect of his sacrifice reaching its conclusion the great Janamejaya felt victorious and said, “O brahmana boy! Allow me to grant you a boon. As you are a charming and learned scholar, wise beyond your years. Ask and you shall have your wish. I shall make your dreams come true. Tell me, what would you like? A cow? Gold? Tell me. I have won the battle with Takshaka and would give you whatever you like for good luck.”