Sampoorna Mahabharata • సంపూర్ణ శ్రీమహాభారతము • Episode 33

Astika halts the yaga
Jaratkaru explained about Kadru’s curse; the solution given by Lord Brahma; her marriage with Maharishi Jaratkaru and of how Astika was born for redeeming the snakes from the curse.
Hearing this, Astika immediately consoled his uncle Vasuki and reached the yagashala. There in various ways, he glorified the sarpa yaga, Janmejaya, the assembled guests and the Fire-god. Through this he pleased them all.
Noticing this and seeking to know the opinion of all assembled members, Janmejaya said, ‘Dear assembled guests, although he is young, this boy speaks like an adult. Treating him like a wise man, I seek to give him boons. I request you to also let me know your opinion on this’.
The guests said, ‘O King, although young, he is a Brahmin and also a learned scholar. Undoubtedly he is worthy of receiving charities from you. But, before giving him boon, ensure Takshaka arrives’.
Janmejaya said to Astika, ‘Please choose what you seek’.
Meanwhile the hota conducting the yagna got up displeased. He said, ‘Only if Takshaka comes here, the yaga will attain completeness’.
Janmejaya said, ‘Use your power to call Takshaka so that the ritual attains completeness. He alone is my real enemy’.
The priests said, ‘O king, according to what the Shastras and Fire-god say, in deep fear Takshaka is hiding in Indra’s palace. Lohita, the son of Suta, had at the beginning itself mentioned that this Yagna will not get complete’.
Instantly Janmejaya called Lohita and enquired. Lohita said, ‘Yes, this yagna cannot be completed. Indra has given promised Takshaka protection and said that the fire cannot burn him’.
Janmejaya was distressed hearing this. Furiously he said, ‘Call Takshaka along with Indra into the homa-fire’. Hearing this, the hota, with total concentration chanted mantras so that Indra along with Takshaka was dragged into the fire.
The power of the mantra was such that Indra, along with his chariot, was dragged down. Takshaka was hiding in Indra’s upper garment.
Janmejaya said to the priests, ‘Ensure that Indra falls into the fire along with Takshaka’. The priests made the requisite offerings into the fire for this purpose. In the skies Indra became visible. Seeing the Yagna, Indra was petrified. Abandoning Takshaka, he ran back to heaven. Due to the power of the mantras, Takshaka was coming closer to the fire.
Seeing Takshaka, the priests were happy that their efforts had yielded fruit. They said, ‘O King, your Yagna has borne fruit. Now you can grant boon to Astika’.
Janmejaya said, ‘O young boy! You radiance is supreme. My desire is about to be fulfilled. In this happy moment, I wish to grant you a boon. Seek what you want’.
The priests meanwhile said, ‘O King! look at Takshaka. In great fright he is shouting loudly. Indra has abandoned him. He is swirling in the skies. He is nearing the fire’.
Janmejaya looked up and rejoiced seeing Takshaka when Astika sought his boon saying, ‘O King, if you truly seek to give me a boon, then instantly stop this sarpa yaga. No more snakes should fall into the homa’.
Hearing these words, Janmejaya’s face paled. His happiness evaporated. His mind was agitated. He said, ‘O Brahmin! Seek gold, silver or other ornaments. Or else seek anything barring closure of this yaga. My desire is to complete this yaga; not stop it’.
Astika said, ‘O king, I do not need gold, silver or cows. All I seek is stopping this sarpa yaga as this will cause the wellbeing of my maternal relatives’.
Janmejaya tried his best to get Astika to change his mind. He beseeched in various ways. At that time the assembled guests said, ‘O King, grant him what he seeks’.
Janmejaya brought the yaga to a halt’- said son of Suta.
Maharishi Shounaka said, ‘I wish to hear the names of the snakes that fell into the homa fire’.
The son of Suta said, ‘Innumerable snakes fell into the fire and got burnt. It is impossible to narrate all their names. I shall narrate only the names I remember. Members of Vasuki’s family are in blue, red and white colours. Kotisa, Manasa, Puma, Gala, Pala, Hallvaka, Pichchhala, Kaunapa, Cakra, Kalavega, Prakalana, Hiranyabahu, Carana, Kakshaka, Kaladanta got burnt in the fire’.
He then went on to narrate the names of other snakes that got burnt along with their entire families. In addition, many mighty two-headed, three-headed, multi-headed snakes; snakes that were 1 to 2 Yojanas long; snakes that could take on any chosen form; snakes that could emit fire-like poison- fell into the fire and got burnt on account of their mother’s curse’.
With this the sarpa yaga concludes.