DVITEEYAASVAASAM (CHAPTER 2)  

Ugrasravasu, the story teller continued to say to Sounakaa and

other saints:In Krutayugaa, there was one Prajapati called
Kashyapa Prajapati. He has got two wives, Vinata and Kadruva.
They both prayed Kashyapa for male children.Kashyapa asked
them “How many male children do you want and with what
qualities?”Kadruva said that she wanted to have one thousand
male children with shining personalities and long bodies.

Vinata said that she wanted to have two male children with
stronger bodies than the children of kadruva.Kashyapa
performed Putrakaameshti yaagaa (a sacrifice which will be
performed to beget children). As a result of that Yaga, both
Vinata and Kadruva became pregnant.Kadruva got one thousand
eggs and vinata got two eggs.After some time, the eggs of
kadruva were broken and 1000 snakes, called Aadi Seshuvu,
Takshaka, Vaasuki etc. came out of the eggs with long and
shining bodies.But the eggs of Vinata were not broken. Vinata
was feeling jealousy as Kadruva begot children much
before.Somehow or other she also wanted to have children. She
forcibly broke one of the eggs.From out of that egg, one strong
man came with half-grown body i.e., with upper portion of the
body and nothing from waist. His name was Anura. He looked at
his mother with anger.

“Oh mother, why did you brake the egg even before I got full
body. You did it with jealousy. Hence, you will become a slave
of your sister Kadruva. Please dont break the other egg before
it ripes. The son who comes out of that egg with strong and
huge body, will save you from the slavery”.

So saying, he went away as a chariot driver to Sun god.Vinatha

felt very much for her deeds. She was looking after the other
egg with great care.Devatas(Divine bodies) and Asuras
(Raakshasas or demons) decided to churn the sea for getting
Amruta (immortal drink). They held discussions as to how to
churn the sea, who will be the churner and what will be the
churning thread etc.

Brahma and Vishnuvu agreed to organise the task. Brahma and

Vishnu decided that Mandhara Mountain will be the churner. It
is a long, tall mountain. Aadi Seshu, uprooted that Mountain
and brought it and dropped it into the sea. But the mountain
was sinking.Sri Maha Vishnu incarnated in the form of Aadi
koormamu (the great Tortoise) and became the base for the
mountain. Then the mountain stood erect. They fixed the
serpant king, Vasuki, as a churning thread.All the devatas was
holding the snake, Vasuki, on the tail side and all the Asuras
(raakshasas) held the snake on the side of the head. With great
vigour, they were churning the sea.

At first, “haalaa halam” (the great poison) emanated from the

sea. Lord Siva swallowed it and kept it in his neck.Then,
Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) and Koustubha Mani (the great
diamond) were born. Lord Vishnu received them and installed
them in his heart.

Later, one white horse called “Uchaisravamu”, and one white

elephant called “Airaavatamu” came out of the sea. Indra
received them and kept them in his custody. Then “Amruta
Kalasam” (a Vessel containing Amruta)emanated from the sea.
The Asuraas (raakshasaas) received Amrutham. But Lord Vishnu,
under the guise of Mohini, an Universal Beauty, mesmerized
Asuras and took away Amrutam from asuras and gave it to
Devatas.

Devatas sat in a row to drink Amruta. One Asura called

Raahuvu, detected this trick. He mixed with Devatas under the
guise of Devata and he also sat along with Devatas to drink
Amruta. Amruta was served to him.

When Raahuvu was about to swallow Amruta, Sun god and Moon
god, came to know about Raahuvu. Immediately, they
complained to Vishnu about Raahuvu. Vishnu grew angry and
cut the head of Raahuvu with his Chakra weapon.By that time,
amrutham went upto the throat of Rahuvu. Hence, his head
became immortal. The body from neck was cut and fell down.
From then onwards, there is bitter enemity between Rahuvu
and Sun god and Moon god.

Though Asuras churned the sea and got Amrutha, due to the
mesmerism of Vishnu, they could not have Amrutha and get
immortality. Asuras grew angry. They consulted King Bali. They
decided that they could not continue friendship with Devatas
any longer. Asuras waged war against Devatas. “Devaasura
Yudha” (war between Devatas and Asuras) began.In that
dreadful war, Nara and Narayana fought on the side of Devatas.
Asuras could not resist them in the battle.

Asuras fled away into the sea. Devatas got the victory. They
handed over Amrutam to Devendra for safe custody. They kept
Mandhara Mountain in its original place. The Devatas were
guarding Amrutha carefully.
One day, the white horse, Uchaisrava, was moving on the sea
shore. Vinatha and Kadruva, two wives of Kashyapa Prajapathi,
also went to the sea shore for evening walk. They both saw the
white horse from a distance. Kadruva wanted to fool Vinatha.
Kadruva said : “Vinata, look at that horse. It is pure white. But,
the tail was so black. See that wonder”.Vinatha also looked at
the horse carefully. It is pure white including the tail. She could
not understand why Kadruva was saying like that.Vinatha said
“Kadruvaa, the tail of that horse is not black. It is also white.
Please observe the horse carefully.”

Kadruva did not agree for that. Some how or other, she wanted
to keep her word. “Vinatha, we will have a bet. If the tail is
black, you will be my slave. If the tail is white, I will be your
slave.”Vinatha agreed for it. “Kadruva, let us go and see
whether the tail is white or black”.

Kadruva said “No. It is already sunset. We cannot observe it

properly. We will come tomorrow morning and see in the sun
light.”.Kadruva and Vinatha went to their respective homes.
Kadruve knows that the tail is white. She wanted to win the bet
by playing a trick. She called all her serpant sons.

“My dear sons, I had a bet with Vinata that the tail of
Uchaisrava is black, though, in fact, it is white. I should win the
bet. You have to do something or the other and make the tail
black, so that i will win the bet”. The serpants did not agree
for her words. “Oh mother, it is immoral. We cannot act
immorally because my mother told. It is wrong. Please excuse
us”.

Kadruva grew angry. She cursed her serpant sons and said:
“Those who are not heeding my words, will fall in the sacred
fire of Sarpa Yaaga, performed by King Janameja, and die.”Still
the serpants did not agree for the proposal of their mother,
Kadruva. But one of her sons, Karkotaka,was frightened with
the curse.

“Oh mother. Don’t worry. I am here. I will carry out your

words.” Karkotaka said. Kadruva felt very happy. Karkotaka
(snake) went to the sea shore. He climbed the tail of
Uchaisrava and entwined to the tail. Now the tail is looking
black, as karkotaka was a black snake.

Next morning, Vinatha and Kadruva went to the seaside. They

both saw the horse from a distance. The tail was looking black.
Vinatha agreed for hear defeat. From then onwards, she
became a slave to Kadruva. Some time passed away. The
second egg which Vinatha was protecting, also broke. A huge
body, with great strength, strong wings, came out of the egg.
His name was Garuda.Soon after he came out of the egg, he
flew into the sky with great speed and again came down to
earth.

He bowed before his mother Vinatha. He also bowed before

Kadruva. On seeing this great personality, Kadrua was so
jealous.She could not tolerate it. “Garudaa, your mother is my
slave. You are also my slave. You have to serve me and my sons,
snakes. You have to take all the snakes on your back for a jolly
ride daily”.

Kadruva said. Garuda agreed for that. One day, Garuda took all
the snakes on his back and flew into the sky. He flew much
nearer to Sun. Due to the over heat of the Sun, all the bodies of
snakes were burnt and the snakes fell down unconscious.

On coming to know about this, Kadruva felt very sad and wept.
She prayed Indra for heavy rain. All the snakes regained
consciousness in those showers. Kadruva scolded Garuda for his
foolish deeds. Garuda went to his mother Vinatha and asked
her.

“Oh mother. What is this? Why should we do slavery to Kadruva

and her sons. What is the reason? Please tell me”. Vinatha told
Garuda what had happened including the bet between herself
and Kadruva and her defeat. Garuda my son, it is due to the
Saapa (curse) given to me by your elder brother, Anura. He also
told me that you will relieve me from this slavery. Please do
the needful”.

Garuda went to the snakes and asked them “What do I have to

do to you to relieve my mother from this slavery?”All the
snakes replied “We want Amrutha, which is in DevalOka, in the
custody of Devendra. Please bring Amruta from Devaloka and
give it to us. Your mother will be relieved of her slavery
immediately”.

Garuda agreed for it. He went to his mother and said “Oh
mother. I am going to Devaloka to bring Amrutha and I will give
it to sankes and relieve you from this slavery. Maa. bless me”.
Vinatha felt very happy and blessed her son Garuda.

After taking the blessings of his mother, Garuda flew away to

Devaloka. On the way, Garuda met his father, Kashyapa. “Oh
father, I am going to Devaloka for bringing Amruta to relieve my
mother from slavery. I am hungry. Please give me some good
food”. Garuda asked. Kashyapa said “Oh my son, Garuda, listen
to me. There are two brothers called Vibhavasa and
Suprateeka. Suprateeka demanded his elder brother Vibhavasa
to partition the ancestral properties. Vibhavasa did not agree.
Instead he cursed Suprateeka to become a huge elephant.

Suprateeka also cursed his brother Vibhavasa to become a huge

tortoise.Now they became a tortoise of three yojanas long and
ten yojanas width, and an elephant of six yojanas length and
twelve yojanas width. (Yojana = ten miles). Still they are
fighting for their ancestral property. You catch that elephant
and tortise and have sumptuous food.”

Garuda was very happy and went to the place where the
tortoise and elephant were staying. Garuda caught themwith
the claws of his legs and flew away. On the way, one big tree
called Rohana saw Garudaa and said “Garuda, come here. Keep
those things on one of my strong branches, eat them, take
some rest and go away.”

Garuda accepted his request and tried to sit on a big branch of

that tree. But due to the heavy weight of tortoise, elephant
and himself, that big branch broke out and was about to fall on
the ground. Garuda was perturbed. If that branch falls on the
ground, the sages called Vaalakhilyaas who were doing
“Tapassu” (penance) by hanging to that branch, head
downwards, will be disturbed. So, Garuda held that branch with
his long beak and flew away. Carrying the huge tortoise and
elephant with his legs and the big branch with his beak, he flew
to his father Kashyapa. Kashyapa realised the condition of his
son, Garuda. He requested the Vaalakhilyaas “Oh great saints,
my son Garuda is flying to Devaloka to bring Amrutha to relieve
his mother from slavery. I request you to kindly leave this
branch and go somewhere else and continue your Tapassu
(penance).”

Vaalakhilyas agreed for it and they went away. Garuda went to

Himalayas, and kept both the tortoise and elephant on the
mountain top and ate them. Then he flew away to Devaloka.
While Garudaa was coming nearer to Devaloka, some bad
Omens appeared in Devaloka. Deva Guruvu, Bruhaspati, told
Devendra “Garuda, son of Kashyapa, is coming to Devaloka to
take away Amrutha from your custody for giving it to snakes
and relieve his mother from slavery.”

Devendra grew angry. Immediately, he called the Devatas who

are guarding the Amrutha and cautioned them “Garuda is
coming to take away Amrutha. Be careful.”.Garuda reached the
place where Amrutha was kept. When he tried to take away
Amrutha, the Guards attacked him. There was a big fight
between the Devatas and Garuda.

Garuda fought with Devatas with his nails, claws and beak.
Devatas could not resist Garuda and they fled away.Garuda,
holding Amruta Kalasa(vessel containing amruta), tried to fly
away. At that time Lord Vishnu came to Garuda and said:
“Garuda, I am very much pleased with your strength and
courage. Tell me what do you want”. Garuda bowed before
Lord Vishnu “O Lord, I am blessed with your kind compliments.
I must become immortal without swallowing Amrutha.
Throughout my life, I must serve you”.

Lord Vishnu was very much pleased with his request. “Oh
Garuda, you will be immortal without consuming Amruta.
Hereinafter, you will be my “vaahana” (carrier) and also my
flag.”. So saying, Lord Vishnu blessed Garuda and disappeared.

(Even now, in Vaishnava temples, Garuda vaahanam, Garuda

dwajham, Dhwajaarohanam are observed during
Brahmotsavams). While Garuda was trying to fly away,
Mahendra came there and hurled his Vajraayudham against
Garuda to kill him. Garuda saw Vajraayudha come fiercely.
Garuda bowed before Vajraayudha and said:

“Oh Vajraayudhaa, you were originated from the spine of a

great Saint(Dadheeci). Hence I respect you. As you are the
aayudha (weapon) of Devendra, I wont disrespect you. But your
strength is not sufficient to fight with him. You can cut one
feather from my wing and go away. That much is your strength”

Devendra was very much astonished for the courage and

strength of Garuda. He tried to make friendship with Garuda.
“Oh Garuda. I am Devendra. I want to make friendship with
you. You are my friend. But one thing. you are going to give
Amruta to the cruel serpants. If they consume Amrutha, they
will become immortals and they cannot be controlled even by
Devatas. So I request you to give back Amrutha to me. I will
give you whatever you want”.

On hearing the words of Devendra, Garuda replied “Oh

Devendra, after giving Amrutha to snakes, my mother, Vinata,
will be relieved of her slavery. Then myself and my mother will
be freed and we will go away. After that, before the snakes
consume Amrutha, you can snatch Amrutha from them and take
it away”.
Mahendra gladly agreed for it. “Oh Garuda, you are giving back
Amrutha to me. I am very happy. Ask me what do you want. I
will give you”. Mahendra said. Garuda told Mahendra: “Oh
Mahendra, these snakes caused much harm and hardship to my
mother and myself.

Hereinafter, the snakes shall be the main food for

Garudas.”.Mahendra gladly agreed for it. (Even now, snakes are
the main prey for eagles).Then, Garuda took the Amrutha and
went home. Mahendra also followed him in invisible form.
Garuda kept the vessel containing Amrutha (Amruta Kalasa) on
dharbas (a kind of long grown grass). Garuda told snakes “As
per your word, I brought Amruta from Devaloka. Please take
this Amruta. My mother and myself are relieved from slavery.
We are going away. Please take holy bath and take Amruta.”

So saying, Garuda flew away along with his mother on his back.
Snakes are very happy as they are going to become immortals.
They all went to take holy bath. Immediately, Mahendra lurking
there invisibly, snatched away Amrutha Kalasa and went back to
Devaloka. He handed over Amruta kalasa to the guards and
directed them to proetct Amruta carefully.

After taking holy bath, all the sna kes came to the place where
Amruta was kept to swallow the same. To their surprise and
dismay, they could not find Amruta kalasa. They felt very sad.
Thinking that, at least, if they lick the dharbhas on which the
Amruta was kept, they may get some result, they began to lick
the dharbhas. As the edges of dharbhas were so sharp, their
tongues were cut into two. Since then they became “dvijihvas”
(with two tongues). (Even now, you can find the tongue of the
snakes cutinto two).

Because the Holy Amruta Kalasa was kept on Dharbhas, from

then onwards, Dharbas also became sacred and holy.Adi Seshu,
one of the sons of Kadruva, had been observing all these things.
He was very much unhappy with his mother Kadruva and her
deeds. Adi Seshu hated his mother and went away. He did
Tapassu(penance). Brahma appeared before him. “Oh Adi
Seshu, I am very happy for the Tapassu you have done. I like
your truthfulness and straightforwardness, and harmlessness.
You are the fit person to bear this earth. Nobody can do this.
From this moment, you will bear this earth on your head.” So
saying Brahma disappeared. From then onwards, Adi Seshu is
bearing this earth on his head.
The next elder son is Vasuki. He was very much worried about
the Saapa of their mother, Kadruva, about Sarpa Yaga to be
performed by Janameja and the fate of the snakes. He held a
conference of all his brothers, relatives and friends. He
discussed the matter with them.

“Oh my dear brothers, relatives and friends. Adi Seshu is

bearing this earth as per the word of Brahma. He is out of
danger. As per the word of Brahma, I was used as churning
thread to churn the sea. Hence I am also out of danger. What
about you? As per the Sapa of our mother, You are all going to
perish in the Sarpa yaga. Think about it.”.

On hearing these words, some youthful snakes rose and said: “It
is simple. We will go to Janamejaya and his ministers as
Brahmins, convince them that this Yaga is harmful to snakes
and it is also Adharma. We will convince them to give up this
idea of Satra yaga.”

But some radical snakes did not agree. “We all go in groups to
the Yaga place, spill poison in the holy vessels and all eatables
prepared for yajna and we will spoil the yagna. All the
brahmins and priests will be fled away with fear”. Hearing all
these discussions, one Elaa putra, a smallsnake said:

“Please hear me. I know some thing about this”. Vasuki asked
Elaputra to tell in detail. Elaputra continued to say: “While our
mother was giving Sapa(curse) to you, I was a small child
sleeping in the lap of my mother. I heard the conversaion
between Brahma and Devatas. After the Sapaa was given, all
the Devatas asked Brahma:

“Oh Lord Brahma, Kadruva gave a dreadful Saapa to all her

sons. Is there any way out to get rid of that curse.”.Brahma
replied “As the snakes are harmful to the mankind, that curse
is good and acceptable. But there are some great snakes who
are wise and pure. There is one Saint called Jaratkaaru. He will
marry the sister of Vasuki, a girl of the same name, Jaratkaaru,
and beget a son called Aaastika.

Aastika will convince Janamejaya and put an end to this Sarpa

yaga and rescue the remaining snakes. Therefore, there is no
worry about Sarpa yaga.” Elaputra concluded.On hearing the
words of Yelaputra, Vasuki was so happy. He was waiting for the
arrival of Jaratkaaru to marry his sister.

Jaratkaaru was a great saint. He did not marry. He was

following Brahmacharya and doing Tapassu. One day, he went
near a pond for collecting Dharbas. (a long grown grass used for
rituals). He found some grass plants growing in the water. Some
rats ate the roots of the grass plants and some grass plants are
standing only with single root. Some saints are hanging to those
grass pants head downwards.

Jaratkaaru was very much surprised. “Oh mahatmaa, why are

you hanging like this. Is it also a tapassu?” Jaratkaaru asked the
saints. Those saints replied “We donot know who you are . We
are the fathers and forefathers of a sinner, Jaratkaaruvu. He
did not marry and beget children. Without children we cannot
get Uttma Lokas (higher status after death). If you happen to
meet that sinner Jaratkaaruvu, kindly tell him about our fate
and convince him to marry and beget children and save us”.

On hearing this Jaratkaaruvu felt ashamed. “Oh my grand

parents, I am that sinner Jaratkaaruvu. I am very sorry for what
I did. I will immediately marry and beget children and you will
get Uttama Lokas. But I wanted to marry a girl with the same
name. I will go in search of her”.

So saying Jaratkaaruvu went away. In spite of his search, he

could not get a girl of his name. Vasuki came to know about this
through his agents. He immediately approached Jaratkaaruvu
along with his sister, Jaratkaaruvu. Vasuki told to Jaratkaaruvu
“Oh great saint. She is my sister, Jaratkaaruvu, same name as
yours. I intend to give her in marriage to you. Please accept my
sister and marry her”.

As Jaratkaaruvu was searching for a girl of the same name, he

gladly accepted the offer of Vasuki and married his sister,
Jaratkaaruvu. On the first night, Jaratkaaruvu went to her
husband. Jaratkaaruvu told her wife “Dear, I am a bit arrogant
and angry man. You should adjust with me. Even by mistake,
you should not do anything which is against my will and
pleasure. If you do so, I will immediately leave you and go for
Tapassu. Please be careful”.

Wife Jaratkaaruvu, accepted it. She was serving her husband

with great care and devotion, without giving any scope for his
displeasure. In the passage of time, she became pregnant. One
day, Jaratkaaruvu was sleeping, keeping his head on the lap of
his wife. The sun was set. It was time for performing sandhya
vandanam (evening ritual). Husband was sleeping. The wife
could not control herself. She slowly woke up her husband.
Jaratkaaruvu woke up. He grew angry “Why did you wake me
up in the midst of sleep?” he asked his wife. “Because the sun
was set and it is time for sandhyaa vandanam. Hence I woke
you up” she replied. “Any how, you caused displeasure to me. I
could not tolerate it. I am going away. You are pregnant. You go
to your brother, Vasuki's, residence and stay there. You will
beget a son who will become a great and famous saint.”

So saying, the husband Jaratkaaruvu went to forest for Tapassu.

Wife Jaratkaaruvu went to her brother--Vasuki house and was
staying there. In due course of time, she gave birth to a male
child. His name was AAstikaa. He learnt Vedaas, Puraanas and
other Saastraas under a Guru, Pramathi.

(Now, let us revert back to Udanka approaching

Janamejaya.)Udanka went to Hastinaapura and met
Janamejaya. Udanka told JanamEjaya that Takshaka, the
serpant, killed his father, Pareekshit, brutally.On hearing this,
Janamejaya called all his Ministers. “Is it true? Had Takshaka
killed my father, Parikshit? Why should he kill my father? How
he killed my father? What had actually happened? Please tell
me”. asked Janamejaya.

All the ministers told Janamejaya what had actually

happened.“KingJanamejaya, Arjuna was one of the five
pandavas.He married Subhadra, the sister of Lord Krishna.
Their son was Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu married Uttara. Their son
was Pareekshit, your beloved father. Your father was very much
interested in hunting cruel animals.

One day, King Pareekshit went to forest for hunting.He saw a

wild animal in the forest. He began to chase thatanimal. But
the animal escaped. He went into an Ashram where Saint
Sameeka was in Mounavratha (no-talking ritual), closed his eyes
and was in deep meditation.Pareekshit came near him. “Oh
great saint, Have you seen any wild animal coming this side?
please tell me.” asked Pareekshit.The saint did not give any
reply. Pareekshit grew angry.He could not control his anger. He
saw dead snake nearby. He picked up that dead snake with his
arrow and put it in the neck of Sameeka. Then he went away to
his capital, Hastinaapura. At that time, Srungi, the son of
Sameeka, was not in Aashramam. But, all this was seen by a
sishya (student) called Krusa. Immediately, Krusa went to
Srungi and told him what had happened. Srungi grew angry.“My
father was in deep meditation and also in Mounavratha
somewhere in the forest. What harm he had done to that King?
Why should that King insult my father?He should suffer the
consequences. Within seven days from today, King Pareekshit
will die with the snake bite of the serpant Takshaka.” Srungi
gave Saapa(curse) to Pareekshit.

Then Srungi went to the Aashramam. He removed the dead

snake from the neck of his father. Sameeka opened his eyes.
Srungi told his father what had happened. Sameeka felt very
sad.“Oh my son, what is this? Anger is the root cause for all the
misdeeds and sorrows. That is the reason why Brahmins should
not get anger. We are living here peacefully, safely and
performing our rituals and meditation and tapassu
uninterruptedly, only due to the safety given by the Kings. King
Pareekshit is not an Ordinary King. He is the protector of
Dharma. He is kshatriya. Unable to conntrol his hunger and
thirst, he might have done this small mistake. For that small
mistake, is it proper on your part to give such a harsh Saapaa to
King Pareekshit. Please take back your Saapa and save the
king.”said Sameeka. But Srungi did not agree for it. “Oh father,
my word is unretrievable. I cannot take it back” Srungi told his
father.

Then Sameeka called one of his Sishyas, Gouramukha, “You go

to King Pareekshit. Tell him about the Saapa given by my son
Srungi. Ask him to make arrangements to save himself from this
Saapa.”Accordingly, Gouramukha, went to Pareekshit and told
him “O King Pareekshit, Saint Sameeka sent me to you. You put
a dead snake in the neck of Saint Sameeka. His Son Srungi,
grew angry and cursed you to die within seven days with snake
bite. Saint Sameeka is feeling sorry for that. At his request, I
have come to you to caution you. Plese make all arrangements
to save yourself from the snake bite.”

On hearing this, King Pareeshit also was very much unhappy for
what had happened. He called his ministers and discussed with
them. On their advice, he got a single pillar structure,
constructed. He was staying in that building. He kept expert
snake bite doctors, anti-venemous medicines, and also snake
charmers, and all other herbs.

Once Lord Brahma felt that all the snakes are causing much
harm to the mankind. Lord Brahma blessed one Brahmin
Kashyapa with divine power to give life to those who die with
snake bites. On hearing the Saapa of Srungi, Kashyapa started
to go to Hastinapura to save King Pareekshit from the snake
bite.Takshaka also started to go to Hastinapura to carry out the
“Saapa” of Srungi. On the way Kashyapaa and Takshaka
met.Takshaka asked the Brahmin “Oh Brahmin, who are you?
Where are you going?”“My name is Kashyapa. I am going to
Hastinapura to save King Pareekshit from the snake bite of
Takshaka and get huge gifts and presentations.” Kashyapa
replied.

Takshaka laughed at him. “Oh Kashyapa. I am Takshaka. I am so

powerful. Any body can escape a thunderbolt but not my bite.
You cannot save King Pareekshit. Please go away”. Kashyapa did
not agree. “I can save the king with the power given by Lord
Brahma” replied Kashyap.“If you want to see, I will show my
power. I will bite that huge tree and reduce it to ashes. If you
are more powerful than me, you restore that tree as it is” So
saying Takshaka bit a huge tree. On the spot, that huge tree
was consigned to flames and reduced to ashes.

Kashyapa collected all the ashes. With the power given by Lord
Brahma, he restored that tree with all branches and green
leaves, flowers and fruits as before. Takshaka was astonished.
He bowed before Kashyapa.“Hey mahatman, I agree you are
more powerful than me. But the “Saapa” given by Srungi is
unretrievable. King Pareekshit should die. I will give you more
presentations than what King Pareekshit will give you. Please go
back”.

Kashyapa also visualised the future with his “divya dhrushti”

(supernatural vision). He realised the words of Takshaka. He
received plenty of presentations from Takshaka and turned
back. All these things are known from a wood cutter. At the
time when the tree was burnt by Takshaka, the wood cutter
was on the tree and he was also burnt away. When Kashyapa
gave life to the tree, the wood cutter also got life. Later, he
went to Hastinapura and told this incident to one and all. After
Kashyapa left that place, Takshaka, the serpant, called some
young snakes. He asked them to be under the guise of
Brahmins. He gave fruits and flowers to them.

“You all take these fruits and flowers. You go to King

Pareekshit, and give all these fruits to him. I will hide in one of
the fruits as a small insect. Soon after he breaks the fruit, I will
come out and kill him.”. So saying he entered into one big fruit
as a small black insect. As told by Takshaka, all the snakes
under the guise of Brahmins, visited King Pareekshit. King
Pareekshit welcomed them. The Brahmins (serpants) blessed
him and presented him the fruits and flowers. King Pareekshit
was very happy.

That was the evening of the 7th day. If that night passes away,
Takshaka couldnot do anything. He received the fruits from the
Brahmins. He distributed them to all the ministers and others
assembled there. He took one big fruit and broke it. From that
fruit, Takshaka, in the form of a small black insect, came out
and bit King Pareekshit. The deadly poison, came out of his
teeth, burnt away not only King Pareekshit but also the one-
pillar building. All the ministers and others ran away. King
Pareekshit was no more. O Jaanamejayaa, that serpant
Takshaka, even without considering whether it is good or bad,
just on the cursing words of a Brahmin, Srungi, caused the
death of your father.

Therefore, you also invite all the Brahmins, perform Sarpa

yaaga, invite all the snakes by chanting Mantraas, and make
them fell in the sacred fire and die.” The ministeres concluded.
After hearing the words of Ministers, King Janamejaya was very
angry. He decided to take revenge on Takshaka for killing his
father. He invited Ritviks (Chief Priests) and asked them to
make arrangements for Sarpayaaga. He got constructed a big
building for performing Sarpayaaga.While the construction was
going, one architect told him “O king Janamejaya, the
proposed Sarpayaaga will not be completed. It will be stopped
in the middle”.

But King Janamejaya did not heed his words. He was ready to
perform SarpaYaga along with his wife, Vapushtama. King
Janamejaya invited the great Saints like Vyaasa,
Vaisampaayana. Sarpayaaga was started.Ritviks (Chief Priests)
and other Priests were chanting Mantras and inviting all the
snakes. All the snakes were coming and falling into the sacred
fire of Sarpa Yaaga and were dying. On seeing this, Takshaka
was frightened. He ran to Devendra and requested him for help
“Devendra, please help me. Ritviks are inviting snakes, by
chanting Mantras, to Sarpayaaga. Please save me”.

Indra knows that Lord Brahma gave exception to some snakes

from Sarpayaaga. Hence, Devendra said “Dont worry Takshaka.
Nothing will happen to you.”. While the Ritviksat the
Sarpayaaga were chanting mantras, all the snakes are coming
and falling in the sacret fire. But Takshaka was not coming.
They came to know that Devendra gave shelter to
Takshaka.Therefore, Ritviks chanted mantras that
“Takshakaalong with Devendra are invited to come and fall in
the sacred fire”.With these Mantras, Deva loka was shaking.

Mahendra also was frightened.“Takshaka, I cannot give you

shelter anymore. You are being invited at Sarpayaaga. Please
go”. So saying, Mahendra thrown Takshaka out of
Devaloka.Takshaka was flying in the sky, ready to fall in the
sacred fire of Satra yaaga. On coming to know of all these
developments, Vaasuki also was frightened. He called his sister,
Jaratkaaruvu “Oh My sister Jaratkaaruvu, please see what is
happening. All the snakes are falling in the sacred fire of
Sarpayaagaa and are dying. You only can solve this problem.

As per the words of Lord Brahma, your son, Aastika, can only
stop the Satra yaaga and save the snakes. That is the reason
why you are given in marriage to Jaratkaaruvu, a saint of your
name.Your son, Aastika is a great saint. Now you have to
request your son, Aastika to stop Sarpa yaaga and save the
snakes.”

On hearing the words of her brother, Vasuki, she called her son
Aastika. “Oh my son, you have heard what your maternal uncle,
Vasuki, is saying. You please go to Hastinaapura immediately
and stop Sarpayaaga and save the serpant community.” said
Jaratkaaruvu to her son Aastika. Saint Aastika bowed before his
mother, touched her feet and took her blessings(Aaseervaada).
Then he went to Hastinaapura and visited the place where
Sarpa yaagaa was being performed.King Janamejaya cordially
invited Aastika, welcomed him and did all formalities intended
for a distinguished guest.(atithi maryaadalu).

Saint Aastika praised King Janamejaya: “Oh King Janamejaya,

you are a great king having good qualities like right knowledge,
forbearance, control over the senses and mind, non-violence,
equanimity, contentment, austerity and charity and you are
famous like your fore fathers and great fore fathers viz.,
Maandhatha, Raghuvu,Dasaradha, Raama and Dharmaraajaa. All
the good qualities of those kings are also embedded in you.You
have done many Yajnas and Yagas (sacrifices) and have become
pure. The Sages and Saints performing this Sarpayaagaa also
have got the knowledge of all Saastraas and Puraanaas. The
fact that Great Saints like Bhagavaan Vyaasaa, Vaisampaayana
are gracing this Sarpa Yaagaa itself tells about the greatness of
this Yaagaa. I wish all good things shall happen to you in
future”. So saying, Saint Aastikaa praised King Janamejaya.

Having satisfied with the blessings and praises of Saint Aastika,

King Janamejaya felt very much happy and said: “Oh great
Saint Aastika. Kindly ask me what do you want. I will
immediately fulful your wish”. Immediately Saint Aastika asked
“King Janamejaya, please stop this disastorous Sarpa Yaga and
save the serpant community who are my relatives through my
maternal uncle, Vaasuki”.
Janamejaya was in dilemma. But all the Ritviks and Brahmins
and Sages and Saints who visited Sarpayaaga also told King
Janamejaya “Oh king Janamejaya, Aastika is a great saint. He
should be given what he wants. His wish should be fulfilled. He
is a fit person to receive anything. As per his request, please
stop this Sarpayaaga.”The wish of the Saint Aastika on one side,
and the request of Ritviks, Brahmins and Saints on the other
side made King Janamejaya to agree for the stoppage of Satra
yaaga.

Sarpa yaagaa was stopped. At that time, Takshaka was making

rounds in the sky and was about to fall in Sarpa yaaga. Aastikaa
raised his voice “Oh Takshaka, stop stop. Be there. Sarpayaaga
is stopped. You can go away.”. On hearing this, Takshaka had a
sigh of relief. He returned to Naagaloka. For stopping the
Sarpayaaga and saving all the remaining serpants, all the
Brahmins, Sages and Saints praised Saint Aastikaa. After
fulfilling the desire of his mother, Aastika also went to his
Aashram.

Mahaabhaarat, Aadiparva, dviteeyaasvaasa

(Second Chapter completed).