Critical Edition
सूत उवाच इदमत्यद्भुतं चान्यदास्तीकस्यानुशुश्रुमः तथा वरैश्छन्द्यमाने राज्ञा पारिक्षितेन ह
M. N. Dutt: Sauti said : Now hsar, (I shall mention) another wonderful incident in connection with Astika. When the son of Parikshit, the king (Janamejaya) was about to grant the boon (to Astika).
इन्द्रहस्ताच्च्युतो नागः ख एव यदतिष्ठत ततश्चिन्तापरो राजा बभूव जनमेजयः
M. N. Dutt: The snake, (Takshaka) though thrown off form Indra's hands, remained in the air without falling. Thereupon, king Janamejaya became thoughtful,
हूयमाने भृशं दीप्ते विधिवत्पावके तदा न स्म स प्रापतद्वह्नौ तक्षको भयपीडितः
M. N. Dutt: For Takshaka, though benumbed with fear, did not at once fall into the fire, although libations were poured into the blazing sacrificial fire in his name and in the proper form.
शौनक उवाच किं सूत तेषां विप्राणां मन्त्रग्रामो मनीषिणाम् न प्रत्यभात्तदाग्नौ यन्न पपात स तक्षकः
M. N. Dutt: Shaunaka said : O Suta, were not the Mantras of those wise Brahmanas propitious? Why did not Takshaka fall into the fire?"
सूत उवाच तमिन्द्रहस्ताद्विस्रस्तं विसंज्ञं पन्नगोत्तमम् आस्तीकस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति वाचस्तिस्रोऽभ्युदैरयत्
M. N. Dutt: Sauti said : Astika had said thrice, "Stay, stay, stay," to the unconscious Takshaka, the best of snakes, when he was cast off from Indra's hands.
वितस्थे सोऽन्तरिक्षेऽथ हृदयेन विदूयता यथा तिष्ठेत वै कश्चिद्गोचक्रस्यान्तरा नरः
M. N. Dutt: And afflicted with grief he remained in the sky like a person who hang between the heaven and the earth.
ततो राजाब्रवीद्वाक्यं सदस्यैश्चोदितो भृशम् काममेतद्भवत्वेवं यथास्तीकस्य भाषितम्
M. N. Dutt: Being again and again urged by his Sadasyas, the king said, “Let it be done as asked by Astika.
समाप्यतामिदं कर्म पन्नगाः सन्त्वनामयाः प्रीयतामयमास्तीकः सत्यं सूतवचोऽस्तु तत्
M. N. Dutt: Let the sacrifice be stopped, let the snakes be saved, let this Astika be gratified and let the words of the Suta be true."
ततो हलहलाशब्दः प्रीतिजः समवर्तत आस्तीकस्य वरे दत्ते तथैवोपरराम च
AI Translation: Then there arose a loud cry of joy, and when the boon was granted to Āstika, it ceased.
स यज्ञः पाण्डवेयस्य राज्ञः पारिक्षितस्य ह प्रीतिमांश्चाभवद्राजा भारतो जनमेजयः
AI Translation: That sacrifice of the king of the Pandavas, Parikshit, And King Janamejaya, the descendant of Bharata, became pleased.
Supplementary Passages:
1.53.10 After 10ab, G6 ins.: *458 समापिते ततः सत्रे विधिवद्विधिदर्शिभिः
ऋत्विग्भ्यः ससदस्येभ्यो ये तत्रासन्समागताः तेभ्यश्च प्रददौ वित्तं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: The king bestowed money by hundreds and thousands on the Ritvijas and Sadasyas and on all that were present there (in that great sacrifice).
लोहिताक्षाय सूताय तथा स्थपतये विभुः येनोक्तं तत्र सत्राग्रे यज्ञस्य विनिवर्तनम्
AI Translation: To Lohitākṣa, to Sūta, and to the lordly architect, By whom it was declared at the beginning of the sacrifice, the cessation of the sacrifice,
निमित्तं ब्राह्मण इति तस्मै वित्तं ददौ बहु ततश्चकारावभृथं विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
AI Translation: He gave him much wealth, saying, "This is the sign, O Brahman." Then he performed the consecration ceremony according to the prescribed ritual.
Supplementary Passages:
1.53.13 After 13ab, K4 Ñ1.2 V1 B (B2 missing) D (D5 om. line 2) ins.: *459 दत्वा द्रव्यं यथान्यायं भोजनाच्छादनान्वितन् प्रीतस्तस्मै नरपतिरप्रमेयपराक्रमः Ñ1.2 V1 B1 (marg.).3-5 D2 cont.: *460 ततो गत्वा चावभृथं कृत्वा स्नानमनन्तरम्
आस्तीकं प्रेषयामास गृहानेव सुसत्कृतम् राजा प्रीतमनाः प्रीतं कृतकृत्यं मनीषिणम्
M. N. Dutt: He sent back home in much joy the wise Astika, whom he treated with every respect. He too was exceedingly pleased, because his object was attained.
पुनरागमनं कार्यमिति चैनं वचोऽब्रवीत् भविष्यसि सदस्यो मे वाजिमेधे महाक्रतौ
M. N. Dutt: The king said to him, “You must come again to become a Sadasya in my great Horsesacrifice.”
तथेत्युक्त्वा प्रदुद्राव स चास्तीको मुदा युतः कृत्वा स्वकार्यमतुलं तोषयित्वा च पार्थिवम्
M. N. Dutt: And Astika replied, Yes." He then returned home in great joy, having achieved his great object, by pleasing the king.
स गत्वा परमप्रीतो मातरं मातुलं च तम् अभिगम्योपसंगृह्य यथावृत्तं न्यवेदयत्
M. N. Dutt: Having returned in great joy to his uncle and mother, he touched their feet and told them all that had happened.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीयमाणाः समेता; ये तत्रासन्पन्नगा वीतमोहाः तेऽऽस्तीके वै प्रीतिमन्तो बभूवु;रूचुश्चैनं वरमिष्टं वृणीष्व
M. N. Dutt: Having heard all he said, those snakes, that assembled there, were much delighted and their fear was dispelled. They were greatly pleased with Astika and insisted him to ask a boon.
भूयो भूयः सर्वशस्तेऽब्रुवंस्तं; किं ते प्रियं करवामोऽद्य विद्वन् प्रीता वयं मोक्षिताश्चैव सर्वे; कामं किं ते करवामोऽद्य वत्स
M. N. Dutt: They all again and again asked him, "O learned one, what good can we do to you? We are exceedingly pleased with you, for we have been all saved by you. O child, (tell us) what can we do for you?
आस्तीक उवाच सायं प्रातः सुप्रसन्नात्मरूपा; लोके विप्रा मानवाश्चेतरेऽपि धर्माख्यानं ये वदेयुर्ममेदं; तेषां युष्मद्भ्यो नैव किंचिद्भयं स्यात्
M. N. Dutt: Astika said : Let those Brahmans and other men, who will cheerfully and with attention read morning and evening this sacred account of my this act have no fear from you.'
सूत उवाच तैश्चाप्युक्तो भागिनेयः प्रसन्नै;रेतत्सत्यं काममेवं चरन्तः प्रीत्या युक्ता ईप्सितं सर्वशस्ते; कर्तारः स्म प्रवणा भागिनेय
M. N. Dutt: They said in joy, "O nephew, as regards the boon asked by you, let it be exactly as you say. O nephew, we shall all cheerfully do what you ask us to do.
जरत्कारोर्जरत्कार्वां समुत्पन्नो महायशाः आस्तीकः सत्यसंधो मां पन्नगेभ्योऽभिरक्षतु
AI Translation: The very famous one was born to Jaratkaru from Jaratkaru. May Astika, who is true to his word, protect me from serpents.
Supplementary Passages:
1.53.22 After 22ab, D5 ins.: *461 गुणवान्वै महातेजा कार्यकर्ता महायशाः After 22, K2.3 ins.: *462 आस्तीकेनोरगैः सार्धं यः पुरा समयः कृतः K0 (om. the final st.).4 Ñ V1 (om. lines 4 and 5) B (B2 missing) D ins. after 22: K2 (om. the final st.).3 (om. from line 4 onwards) ins. after 462*: *463 तं स्मरन्तं महाभागा न मां हिंसितुमर्हथ सर्पापसर्प भद्रं ते गच्छ सर्प महाविष जनमेजयस्य यज्ञान्ते आस्तीकवचनं स्मर आस्तीकवचनं स्मृत्वा यः सर्पो न निवर्तते शतधा भिद्यते मूर्ध्नि शिंशवृक्षफलं यथा सूत उवाच स एवमुक्तस्तु तदा द्विजेन्द्रः समागतैस्तैर्भुजगेन्द्रमुख्यैः संप्राप्य प्रीतिं विपुलां महात्मा ततो मनो गमनायाथ दध्रे
असितं चार्तिमन्तं च सुनीथं चापि यः स्मरेत् दिवा वा यदि वा रात्रौ नास्य सर्पभयं भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: Those that will recall to their minds, Asita, Artiman and Sunitha, in the day or in the night, will have no fear from snakes.
Supplementary Passages:
1.53.23 After 23, T G (except G3) M3 ins.: *464 इत्येवं नागराजोऽथ नागानां मध्यमस्तथा उक्त्वा सहैव ते सर्वैः स्वमेव भवनं ययौ
सूत उवाच मोक्षयित्वा स भुजगान्सर्पसत्राद्द्विजोत्तमः जगाम काले धर्मात्मा दिष्टान्तं पुत्रपौत्रवान्
M. N. Dutt: That virtuous and the best of the twice born, having thus saved the snakes from the Snake-sacrifice, died at the proper time, leaving sons and grandsons behind him.
इत्याख्यानं मयास्तीकं यथावत्कीर्तितं तव यत्कीर्तयित्वा सर्पेभ्यो न भयं विद्यते क्वचित्
M. N. Dutt: Thus have I narrated to you the history of Astika exactly as it happened, a history, which if narrated, dispels all fear of snakes.
Supplementary Passages:
1.53.25 K4 Ñ V1 B (B2 missing) Da D2.3.6.7 ins. after 25: Dn D1.4.5 (line 1 in marg.), after 26ab: *465 यन्मां त्वं पृष्टवान्ब्रह्मञ्श्रुत्वा डुण्डुभभाषितम् व्येतु ते सुमहद्ब्रह्मन्कौतूहलमरिंदम
श्रुत्वा धर्मिष्ठमाख्यानमास्तीकं पुण्यवर्धनम् आस्तीकस्य कवेर्विप्र श्रीमच्चरितमादितः
AI Translation: Having heard the most virtuous account of Āstika, which increases merit, The glorious account of the poet Āstika, the brāhmaṇa, from the beginning,
Supplementary Passages:
1.53.26 K0 ins. after 26ab: D5, after 465*: *466 सर्वपापैर्विनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते Ñ1.2 V1 B (B2 missing) Da ins. after 26ab: Dn D1.4.5 (marg.), after 25: Ñ3 D2.3.7, after 26: K4, after 465*: *467 यथा कथितवान्ब्रह्मन्प्रमतिः पूर्वजस्तव पुत्राय रुरवे प्रीतः पृच्छते भार्गवोत्तम यद्वाक्यं श्रुतवांश्चाहं तथा च कथितं मया After 26, K2 ins.: *468 श्रुत्वास्तीकश्च चरितं यः स्मरेद्भक्तितत्परः पुत्रपौत्रधनायुश्च कुलसंतति चाक्षया महापुण्यं यशश्चैव लभते नात्र संशयः After 26, T2 G (except G3.6) ins.: *469 सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो दीर्घमायुरवाप्नुयात् गार्हस्थ्यं धर्ममखिलं प्रयायात्पुत्रपौत्रवान्
शौनक उवाच भृगुवंशात्प्रभृत्येव त्वया मे कथितं महत् आख्यानमखिलं तात सौते प्रीतोऽस्मि तेन ते
M. N. Dutt: Shaunaka said: O child, O Sauti, you have narrated to me this great and extensive history of the Bhrigu race from the birth of Bhrigu. I am much pleased with you.
प्रक्ष्यामि चैव भूयस्त्वां यथावत्सूतनन्दन यां कथां व्याससंपन्नां तां च भूयः प्रचक्ष्व मे
AI Translation: And I shall ask you again, O son of Sūta, about what is proper. Please tell me again about the story that was told by Vyāsa.
तस्मिन्परमदुष्प्रापे सर्पसत्रे महात्मनाम् कर्मान्तरेषु विधिवत्सदस्यानां महाकवे
AI Translation: In that extremely difficult to attain sacrificial session of the serpents, of the great souls, In the various rites, according to the rules, of the members, O great poet,
या बभूवुः कथाश्चित्रा येष्वर्थेषु यथातथम् त्वत्त इच्छामहे श्रोतुं सौते त्वं वै विचक्षणः
M. N. Dutt: O son of Suta, I wish to learn from you the object of those narrations. Therefore, recite them to me in full.
सूत उवाच कर्मान्तरेष्वकथयन्द्विजा वेदाश्रयाः कथाः व्यासस्त्वकथयन्नित्यमाख्यानं भारतं महत्
M. N. Dutt: Sauti said : The Brahmanas spoke of many things, founded on the Vedas, in the intervals of their duties, but Vyasa recited the wonderful and great history, called the Bharata.
शौनक उवाच महाभारतमाख्यानं पाण्डवानां यशस्करम् जनमेजयेन यत्पृष्टः कृष्णद्वैपायनस्तदा
AI Translation: Śaunaka said: The great epic, the glorifier of the fame of the Pandavas, which Janamejaya asked from Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana.
श्रावयामास विधिवत्तदा कर्मान्तरेषु सः तामहं विधिवत्पुण्यां श्रोतुमिच्छामि वै कथाम्
AI Translation: He recited it in due order during the intervals of the rites. I wish to hear that auspicious story in due order.
मनःसागरसंभूतां महर्षेः पुण्यकर्मणः कथयस्व सतां श्रेष्ठ न हि तृप्यामि सूतज
AI Translation: O best of the good, tell me about the origin of the ocean of the mind of the great sage of meritorious deeds. O son of the Sūta, I am not satisfied.
सूत उवाच हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि महदाख्यानमुत्तमम् कृष्णद्वैपायनमतं महाभारतमादितः
M. N. Dutt: Sauti said : I shall recite from the beginning the great and excellent history, called Mahabharata, composed by Krishna Dvaipayana.
तज्जुषस्वोत्तममते कथ्यमानं मया द्विज शंसितुं तन्मनोहर्षो ममापीह प्रवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: Listen to it in full, O Brahmana, as I recite it. I myself feel a great pleasure in reciting it.