SECTION 14
(Astika Parva continued)
"Sauti said, 'That Brahmana of rigid vows then wandered over
the earth for a wife but a wife found he not. One day he went into the forest,
and recollecting the words of his ancestors, he thrice prayed in a faint voice
for a bride. Thereupon Vasuki rose and offered his sister for the Rishi's
acceptance. But the Brahmana hesitated to accept her, thinking her not to be of
the same name with himself. The high-souled Jaratkaru thought within himself,
'I will take none for wife who is not of the same name with myself.' Then that
Rishi of great wisdom and austere penances asked him, saying, 'Tell me truly
what is the name of this thy sister, O snake.'
"Vasuki replied, 'O Jaratkaru, this my younger sister is
called Jaratkaru. Given away by me, accept this slender-waisted damsel for thy spouse.
For thee I reserved her. Therefore, take her.' Saying this, he offered his
beautiful sister to Jaratkaru who then espoused her with ordained rites.'"
So ends the thirteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi
Parva.
No comments:
Post a Comment