The Snake Sacrifice

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.2.11.1)

सूत उवाच । गतप्राणं तु राजानं बालं पुत्रं समीक्ष्य च । चक्रुश्च मन्त्रिणः सर्वे परलोकस्य सत्क्रियाः

sūta uvāca gataprāṇaṁ tu rājānaṁ bālaṁ putraṁ samīkṣya ca cakruśca mantriṇaḥ sarve paralokasya satkriyāḥ

Suta said: Seeing the king lifeless, and beholding the young son, all the ministers set about performing the proper rites for the departed.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.2.11.2)

गङ्गातीरे दग्धदेहं भस्मप्रायं महीपतिम् । अगुरुभिश्चाभियुक्तायां चितायामध्यरोपयन्

gaṅgātīre dagdhadehaṁ bhasmaprāyaṁ mahīpatim agurubhiścābhiyuktāyāṁ citāyāmadhyaropayan

On the bank of the Ganga, upon a pyre laden with aloewood and other fragrant materials, they placed the body of the king, already all but consumed by ashes.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.2.11.3)

दुर्मरणे मृतस्यास्य चकुश्चैवौर्ध्वदैहिकीम् । क्रियां पुरोहितास्तस्य वेदमन्त्रैर्विधानतः

durmaraṇe mṛtasyāsya cakuścaivaurdhvadaihikīm kriyāṁ purohitāstasya vedamantrairvidhānataḥ

For that king who had died so ill a death, his priests performed all the proper final rites, in strict accordance with the Vedic mantras.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.2.11.4)

ददुर्दानानि विप्रेभ्यो गाः सुवर्णं यथोचितम् । अन्नं बहुविधं तत्र वस्त्राणि विविधानि च

dadurdānāni viprebhyo gāḥ suvarṇaṁ yathocitam annaṁ bahuvidhaṁ tatra vastrāṇi vividhāni ca

They gave gifts to the brahmins — cows and gold, as was fitting; and there many kinds of grain and various garments were given as well.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.2.11.5)

सुमुहूर्ते सुतं बालं प्रजानां प्रीतिवर्धनम् । सिंहासने शुभे तत्र मन्त्रिणः संन्यवेशयन्

sumuhūrte sutaṁ bālaṁ prajānāṁ prītivardhanam siṁhāsane śubhe tatra mantriṇaḥ saṁnyaveśayan

That young son, one who would deepen the affection of his subjects, the ministers seated upon the auspicious throne at an auspicious hour.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.2.11.6)

पौरा जानपदा लोकाश्चक्रुस्तं नृपतिं शिशुम् । जनमेजयनामानं राजलक्षणसंयुतम्

paurā jānapadā lokāścakrustaṁ nṛpatiṁ śiśum janamejayanāmānaṁ rājalakṣaṇasaṁyutam

The townspeople and the folk of the countryside gave that royal-marked child king the name Janamejaya.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.2.11.7)

धात्रेयी शिक्षयामास राजचिह्नानि सर्वशः । दिने दिने वर्धमानः स बभूव महामतिः

dhātreyī śikṣayāmāsa rājacihnāni sarvaśaḥ dine dine vardhamānaḥ sa babhūva mahāmatiḥ

His nurse taught him all the royal disciplines and marks befitting his station; growing day by day, he became a most intelligent youth.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.2.11.8)

प्राप्ते चैकादशे वर्षे तस्मै कुलपुरोहितः । यथोचितां ददौ विद्यां जग्राह स यथोचिताम्

prāpte caikādaśe varṣe tasmai kulapurohitaḥ yathocitāṁ dadau vidyāṁ jagrāha sa yathocitām

On reaching his eleventh year, the family priest imparted to him fitting learning, and he received it just as fittingly.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.2.11.9)

धनुर्वेदं कृपः पूर्णं ददावस्मै सुसंस्कृतम् । अर्जुनाय यथा द्रोणः कर्णाय भार्गवो यथा

dhanurvedaṁ kṛpaḥ pūrṇaṁ dadāvasmai susaṁskṛtam arjunāya yathā droṇaḥ karṇāya bhārgavo yathā

Kripa gave him the full and refined science of archery, just as Drona had given it to Arjuna, and Parashurama to Karna.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.2.11.10)

सम्प्राप्तविद्यो बलवान्वभूव दुरतिक्रमः । धनुर्वेदे तथा वेदे पारगः परमार्थवित्

samprāptavidyo balavānvabhūva duratikramaḥ dhanurvede tathā vede pāragaḥ paramārthavit

Having thus fully mastered his learning, he became mighty and unassailable; equally accomplished in the science of archery and in the Veda, and wise in the deeper truth of things.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.2.11.11)

धर्मशास्त्रार्थकुशलः सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः । चकार राज्यं धर्मात्मा पुरा धर्मसुतो यथा

dharmaśāstrārthakuśalaḥ satyavādī jitendriyaḥ cakāra rājyaṁ dharmātmā purā dharmasuto yathā

Skilled in the meaning of the scriptures of dharma, truthful, and master of his senses, that righteous king governed his kingdom just as the son of Dharma (Yudhishthira) had done in former times.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.2.11.12)

ततः सुवर्णवर्माख्यो राजा काशिपतिः किल । वपुष्टमां शुभा कन्यां ददौ पारीक्षिताय च

tataḥ suvarṇavarmākhyo rājā kāśipatiḥ kila vapuṣṭamāṁ śubhā kanyāṁ dadau pārīkṣitāya ca

Then the king of Kashi, named Suvarnavarma, gave his fair and exceedingly beautiful daughter to that son of Parikshit (Janamejaya).

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.2.11.13)

स तां प्राप्यासितापाङ्गीं मुमुदे जनमेजयः । काशिराजसुतां कान्तां प्राप्य राजा यथा पुरा

sa tāṁ prāpyāsitāpāṅgīṁ mumude janamejayaḥ kāśirājasutāṁ kāntāṁ prāpya rājā yathā purā

Obtaining that dark-eyed one, Janamejaya was filled with joy, just as Vichitravirya had once rejoiced in obtaining the daughter of the king of Kashi,

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.2.11.14)

विचित्रवीर्यो मुमुदे सुभद्रां च यथार्जुनः । विजहार महीपालो वनेषूपवनेषु च

vicitravīryo mumude subhadrāṁ ca yathārjunaḥ vijahāra mahīpālo vaneṣūpavaneṣu ca

and just as Arjuna had rejoiced in obtaining Subhadra. That king began to wander with her through forests and gardens,

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.2.11.15)

तया कमलपत्राक्ष्या शच्या शतक्रतुर्यथा । प्रजास्तस्य सुसन्तुष्टा बभूवुः सुखलालिताः

tayā kamalapatrākṣyā śacyā śatakraturyathā prajāstasya susantuṣṭā babhūvuḥ sukhalālitāḥ

just as Indra sports with Shachi, whose eyes are like lotus petals. His subjects, well pleased with him, lived on happily, tenderly cared for.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.2.11.16)

मन्त्रिणः कर्मकुशलाश्चक्रुः कार्याणि सर्वशः । एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु मुनिरुत्तङ्कनामकः

mantriṇaḥ karmakuśalāścakruḥ kāryāṇi sarvaśaḥ etasminneva kāle tu muniruttaṅkanāmakaḥ

The skilled ministers continued to carry out all affairs of state fittingly. At this very time a sage named Uttanka,

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.2.11.17)

तक्षकेण परिक्लिष्टो हस्तिनापुरमभ्यगात् । वैरस्यापचितिं कोऽस्य प्रकुर्यादिति चिन्तयन्

takṣakeṇa parikliṣṭo hastināpuramabhyagāt vairasyāpacitiṁ ko'sya prakuryāditi cintayan

wronged by Takshaka, reflecting on who might avenge this enmity, made his way to Hastinapura.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.2.11.18)

परीक्षितसुतं मत्वा तं नृपं समुपागतः । कार्याकार्यं न जानासि समये नृपसत्तम

parīkṣitasutaṁ matvā taṁ nṛpaṁ samupāgataḥ kāryākāryaṁ na jānāsi samaye nṛpasattama

Thinking the son of Parikshit fitting for this, he approached the king and said, "O foremost of kings, you do not know, in your own time, what ought and ought not to be done.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.2.11.19)

अकर्तव्यं करोष्यद्य कर्तव्यं न करोषि वै । किं त्वां सम्प्रार्थयाम्यद्य गतामर्षं निरुद्यमम्

akartavyaṁ karoṣyadya kartavyaṁ na karoṣi vai kiṁ tvāṁ samprārthayāmyadya gatāmarṣaṁ nirudyamam

What ought not to be done, you do today, and what ought to be done, you leave undone. What more, then, can I now ask of you — you who are without anger, without any endeavour,

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.2.11.20)

अवैरज्ञमतन्त्रज्ञं बालचेष्टासमन्वितम् । जनमेजय उवाच । किं वैरं न मया ज्ञातं न किं प्रतिकृतं मया

avairajñamatantrajñaṁ bālaceṣṭāsamanvitam janamejaya uvāca kiṁ vairaṁ na mayā jñātaṁ na kiṁ pratikṛtaṁ mayā

unaware of any enmity, ignorant of statecraft, and behaving as if you were a child." Janamejaya said: "Is there any enmity I do not know of? Have I failed to take some revenge?

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.2.11.21)

तद्वद त्वं महाभाग करोमि यदनन्तरम् । उत्तङ्क उवाच । पिता ते निहतो भूप तक्षकेण दुरात्मना

tadvada tvaṁ mahābhāga karomi yadanantaram uttaṅka uvāca pitā te nihato bhūpa takṣakeṇa durātmanā

O illustrious one, tell me this, so that thereafter I may do what is fitting." Uttanka said: "O king, your father was slain by that vile-hearted Takshaka.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.2.11.22)

मन्त्रिणस्त्वं समाहूय पृच्छ स्वपितृनाशनम् । सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राजा पप्रच्छ मन्त्रिसत्तमान्

mantriṇastvaṁ samāhūya pṛccha svapitṛnāśanam sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ rājā papraccha mantrisattamān

Summon your ministers and ask them about your father's destruction." Suta said: Hearing this, the king questioned his foremost ministers on this very matter.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.2.11.23)

ऊचुस्ते द्विजशापेन दष्टः सर्पेण वै मृतः । जनमेजय उवाच । शापोऽत्र कारणं राज्ञः शप्तस्य मुनिना किल

ūcuste dvijaśāpena daṣṭaḥ sarpeṇa vai mṛtaḥ janamejaya uvāca śāpo'tra kāraṇaṁ rājñaḥ śaptasya muninā kila

They said, "Through a brahmin's curse, having been bitten by a serpent, he died." Janamejaya said: "Here, the cause of the king's death was the curse pronounced by that sage —

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.2.11.24)

तक्षकस्य तु को दोषो ब्रूहि मे मुनिसत्तम । उत्तङ्क उवाच । तक्षकेण धनं दत्त्वा कश्यपः सन्निवारितः

takṣakasya tu ko doṣo brūhi me munisattama uttaṅka uvāca takṣakeṇa dhanaṁ dattvā kaśyapaḥ sannivāritaḥ

then, O foremost of sages, tell me, what fault lies with Takshaka in this?" Uttanka said: "Takshaka, by giving him wealth, turned Kashyapa back —

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.2.11.25)

न स किं तक्षको वैरी पितृहा तव भूपते । भार्या रुरोः पुरा भूप दष्टा सर्पेण सा मृता

na sa kiṁ takṣako vairī pitṛhā tava bhūpate bhāryā ruroḥ purā bhūpa daṣṭā sarpeṇa sā mṛtā

is that Takshaka not, then, your enemy, the murderer of your father, O king? In earlier times Ruru's own beloved too was bitten by a serpent and died,

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.2.11.26)

अविवाहिता तु मुनिना जीविता च पुनः प्रिया । रुरुणापि कृता तत्र प्रतिज्ञा चातिदारुणा

avivāhitā tu muninā jīvitā ca punaḥ priyā ruruṇāpi kṛtā tatra pratijñā cātidāruṇā

though not yet married; that sage (Ruru) restored his beloved to life, and there Ruru too took an exceedingly terrible vow —

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.2.11.27)

यं यं सर्पं प्रपश्यामि तं तं हन्म्यायुधेन वै । एवं कृत्वा प्रतिज्ञां स शस्त्रपाणी रुरुस्तदा

yaṁ yaṁ sarpaṁ prapaśyāmi taṁ taṁ hanmyāyudhena vai evaṁ kṛtvā pratijñāṁ sa śastrapāṇī rurustadā

"Whatever serpent I see, that one I shall slay with my weapon." Having made this vow, weapon in hand, that Ruru,

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.2.11.28)

व्यचरत्पृथिवीं राजन्निघ्नन्सर्पान्यतस्ततः । एकदा स वने घोरं डुण्डुभं जरसान्वितम्

vyacaratpṛthivīṁ rājannighnansarpānyatastataḥ ekadā sa vane ghoraṁ ḍuṇḍubhaṁ jarasānvitam

O king, wandered the earth, slaying serpents wherever he found them. Once, in the forest, he saw a fearsome, aged Dundubha (a harmless snake).

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.2.11.29)

अपश्यद्दण्डमुद्यम्य हन्तुं तं समुपाययौ । अभ्यहन्रुषितो विप्रस्तमुवाचाथ डुण्डुभः

apaśyaddaṇḍamudyamya hantuṁ taṁ samupāyayau abhyahanruṣito viprastamuvācātha ḍuṇḍubhaḥ

Raising his staff, he advanced to slay it. That angry brahmin struck at it; and then the Dundubha spoke to him.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.2.11.30)

नापराध्नोमि ते विप्र कस्मान्मामभिहंसि वै । रुरुरुवाच । प्राणप्रिया मे दयिता दष्टा सर्पेण सा मृता

nāparādhnomi te vipra kasmānmāmabhihaṁsi vai rururuvāca prāṇapriyā me dayitā daṣṭā sarpeṇa sā mṛtā

"O brahmin, I have done you no wrong — why do you strike me?" Ruru said: "My wife, dearer to me than my very life, was bitten by a serpent and died —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.2.11.31)

प्रतिज्ञेयं तदा सर्प दुःखितेन मया कृता । डुण्डुभ उवाच । नाहं दशामि तेऽन्ये वै ये दशन्ति भुजङ्गमाः

pratijñeyaṁ tadā sarpa duḥkhitena mayā kṛtā ḍuṇḍubha uvāca nāhaṁ daśāmi te'nye vai ye daśanti bhujaṅgamāḥ

O serpent, it was then, in my grief, that I took this vow." The Dundubha said: "I do not bite; it is other serpents who bite —

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.2.11.32)

शरीरसमयोगेन न मां हिंसितुमर्हसि । उत्तङ्क उवाच । श्रुत्वा तां मानुषीं वाणीं सर्पेणोक्तां मनोहराम्

śarīrasamayogena na māṁ hiṁsitumarhasi uttaṅka uvāca śrutvā tāṁ mānuṣīṁ vāṇīṁ sarpeṇoktāṁ manoharām

merely because our bodies resemble one another, it is not right that you should slay me." Uttanka said: Hearing this graceful, human speech uttered by the serpent,

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.2.11.33)

रुरुः पप्रच्छ कोऽसि त्वं कस्माद्डुण्डुभतां गतः । सर्प उवाच । ब्राह्मणोऽहं पुरा विप्र सखा मे खगमाभिधः

ruruḥ papraccha ko'si tvaṁ kasmādḍuṇḍubhatāṁ gataḥ sarpa uvāca brāhmaṇo'haṁ purā vipra sakhā me khagamābhidhaḥ

Ruru asked, "Who are you, and how did you come to this state as a Dundubha?" The serpent said: "O brahmin, in a former life I was myself a brahmin; I had a friend named Khagama —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.2.11.34)

विप्रो धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठः सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः । स मया वञ्जितो मौर्ख्यात्सर्पं कृत्वा च तार्णकम्

vipro dharmabhṛtāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ satyavādī jitendriyaḥ sa mayā vañjito maurkhyātsarpaṁ kṛtvā ca tārṇakam

that brahmin was the foremost of the righteous, truthful and self-controlled. It was I who, through sheer folly, made a mock serpent out of a blade of grass and deceived him with it,

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.2.11.35)

भयं च प्रापितोऽत्यर्थमग्निहोत्रगृहे स्थितः । तेन भीतेन शप्तोऽहं विह्वलेनातिवेपिना

bhayaṁ ca prāpito'tyarthamagnihotragṛhe sthitaḥ tena bhītena śapto'haṁ vihvalenātivepinā

and terrified him greatly, while he sat there in his fire-sanctuary. Distraught with fear and trembling all over, that friend of mine cursed me —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.2.11.36)

भव सर्पो मन्दबुद्धे येनाहं धर्षितस्त्वया । मया प्रसादितोऽत्यर्थं सर्पेणासौ द्विजोत्तमः

bhava sarpo mandabuddhe yenāhaṁ dharṣitastvayā mayā prasādito'tyarthaṁ sarpeṇāsau dvijottamaḥ

"O dull-witted one, since you have thus mocked me, become a serpent." I begged that foremost of brahmins, my friend, to relent, and greatly appeased him,

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.2.11.37)

मामुवाचाथ तत्क्रोधात्किञ्चिच्छान्तिमवाप्य च । रुरुस्ते मोचिता शापस्यास्य सर्प भविष्यति

māmuvācātha tatkrodhātkiñcicchāntimavāpya ca ruruste mocitā śāpasyāsya sarpa bhaviṣyati

and he, his anger somewhat abated, said this to me: "O serpent, you shall be freed from this curse by one named Ruru;

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.2.11.38)

प्रमतेस्तु सुतो नूनमिति मां सोऽब्रवीद्वचः । सोऽहं सर्पो रुरुस्त्वं च शृणु मे परमं वचः

pramatestu suto nūnamiti māṁ so'bravīdvacaḥ so'haṁ sarpo rurustvaṁ ca śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ

he shall surely be the son of Pramati" — thus he told me. I am that very serpent, and you are that Ruru — now hear this, my highest word.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.2.11.39)

अहिंसा परमो धर्मो विप्राणां नात्र संशयः । दया सर्वत्र कर्तव्या ब्राह्मणेन विजानता

ahiṁsā paramo dharmo viprāṇāṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ dayā sarvatra kartavyā brāhmaṇena vijānatā

Non-violence is the highest dharma of the brahmins, without any doubt; a wise brahmin should show compassion everywhere.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.2.11.40)

यज्ञादन्यत्र विप्रेन्द्र न हिंसा याज्ञिको मता । सूत उवाच । सर्पयोनेर्विनिर्मुक्तो बाह्मणोऽसौ रुरुस्ततः

yajñādanyatra viprendra na hiṁsā yājñiko matā sūta uvāca sarpayonervinirmukto bāhmaṇo'sau rurustataḥ

Other than in sacrifice, O foremost of brahmins, violence is not held proper for one who performs sacrifice." Suta said: Then that brahmin, thus freed from his serpent's form,

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.2.11.41)

कृत्वा तस्य च शापान्तं परित्यक्तं च हिंसनम् । विवाहिता तेन बाला मृता सज्जीविता पुनः

kṛtvā tasya ca śāpāntaṁ parityaktaṁ ca hiṁsanam vivāhitā tena bālā mṛtā sajjīvitā punaḥ

his curse thus ended, and Ruru his violence thus abandoned — Ruru, whose own bride had died even before their marriage and been restored to life by him,

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.2.11.42)

कदनं सर्वसर्पाणां कृतं वैरमनुस्मरन् । त्वं तु वैरं समुत्सृज्य वर्तसे पन्नगेष्वथ

kadanaṁ sarvasarpāṇāṁ kṛtaṁ vairamanusmaran tvaṁ tu vairaṁ samutsṛjya vartase pannageṣvatha

he himself had once wrought havoc among all serpents, remembering his old enmity. But you, O foremost of the Bharatas, though set upon avenging your father's murderers,

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.2.11.43)

विमन्युर्भरतश्रेष्ठ पितृघातकरेषु वै । अन्तरिक्षे मृतस्तातः स्नानदानविवर्जितः

vimanyurbharataśreṣṭha pitṛghātakareṣu vai antarikṣe mṛtastātaḥ snānadānavivarjitaḥ

have laid down your anger toward those serpents entirely, and remain quite unmoved. Your father died in mid-air, deprived even of the rites of bathing and giving alms,

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.2.11.44)

तस्योद्धारं च राजेन्द्र कुरु हत्वाथ पन्नगान् । पितुर्वैरं न जानाति जीवन्नेव मृतो हि सः

tasyoddhāraṁ ca rājendra kuru hatvātha pannagān piturvairaṁ na jānāti jīvanneva mṛto hi saḥ

O king of kings, deliver him from this — this can be done only by slaying the serpents. He who does not recognize his father's enmity, though living, is as good as dead.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.2.11.45)

दुर्गतिस्ते पितुस्तावद्यावत्तान्न हनिष्यसि । अम्बामखमिषं कृत्वा कुरु यज्ञं नृपोत्तम

durgatiste pitustāvadyāvattānna haniṣyasi ambāmakhamiṣaṁ kṛtvā kuru yajñaṁ nṛpottama

So long as you do not slay those serpents, your father's evil plight shall remain unresolved. O best of kings, under the pretext of a great sacrifice to the Mother Goddess, perform the sacrifice —

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.2.11.46)

सर्पसत्रं महाराज पितुर्वैरमनुस्मरन् । सूत उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राजा जन्मेजयस्तदा

sarpasatraṁ mahārāja piturvairamanusmaran sūta uvāca iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā rājā janmejayastadā

O great king, perform the great snake sacrifice, remembering the enmity done to your father." Suta said: Hearing these words, King Janamejaya then,

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.2.11.47)

नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपातं च चकारातीव दुःखितः । धिङ्मामस्तु सुदुर्बुद्धेर्वृथा मानकरस्य वै

netrābhyāmaśrupātaṁ ca cakārātīva duḥkhitaḥ dhiṅmāmastu sudurbuddhervṛthā mānakarasya vai

shed tears from both his eyes, overcome with grief — "Curses upon me, so utterly dull-witted, who have vainly clung to a false sense of pride,

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.2.11.48)

पिता यस्य गतिं घोरां प्राप्तः पन्नगपीडितः । अद्याहं मखमारभ्य करोम्यपचितिं पितुः

pitā yasya gatiṁ ghorāṁ prāptaḥ pannagapīḍitaḥ adyāhaṁ makhamārabhya karomyapacitiṁ pituḥ

while my own father, tormented by a serpent, came to that dreadful end. I shall this very day begin a sacrifice and fulfil this duty toward my father —

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.2.11.49)

हत्वा सर्पानसन्दिग्धो दीप्यमाने विभावसौ । आहूय मन्त्रिणः सर्वान् राजा वचनमब्रवीत्

hatvā sarpānasandigdho dīpyamāne vibhāvasau āhūya mantriṇaḥ sarvān rājā vacanamabravīt

slaying the serpents in the blazing fire, without any doubt." Summoning all his ministers, the king spoke these words.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.2.11.50)

कुर्वन्तु यज्ञसम्भारं यथार्हं मन्त्रिसत्तमाः । गङ्गातीरे शुभां भूमिं मापयित्वा द्विजोत्तमैः

kurvantu yajñasambhāraṁ yathārhaṁ mantrisattamāḥ gaṅgātīre śubhāṁ bhūmiṁ māpayitvā dvijottamaiḥ

"O foremost of ministers, arrange the materials for the sacrifice as befits it. On the bank of the Ganga, have excellent brahmins measure out an auspicious plot of ground,

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.2.11.51)

कुर्वन्तु मण्डपं स्वस्थाः शतस्तम्भं मनोहरम् । वेदी यज्ञस्य कर्तव्या ममाद्य सचिवाः खलु

kurvantu maṇḍapaṁ svasthāḥ śatastambhaṁ manoharam vedī yajñasya kartavyā mamādya sacivāḥ khalu

and there, firmly, build a lovely pavilion with a hundred pillars. O ministers, this very day the sacrificial altar must also be built for me,

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.2.11.52)

तदङ्गत्वे विधेयो वै सर्पसत्रः सुविस्तरः । तक्षकस्तु पशुस्तत्र होतोत्तङ्को महामुनिः

tadaṅgatve vidheyo vai sarpasatraḥ suvistaraḥ takṣakastu paśustatra hotottaṅko mahāmuniḥ

and as part of it the elaborate snake sacrifice must be duly ordained. In it, Takshaka himself shall be the sacrificial victim, and the great sage Uttanka shall be the officiating priest.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.2.11.53)

शीघ्रमाहूयतां विप्राः सर्वज्ञा वेदपारगाः । सूत उवाच । मन्त्रिणस्तु तदा चक्रुर्भूपवाक्यैर्विचक्षणाः

śīghramāhūyatāṁ viprāḥ sarvajñā vedapāragāḥ sūta uvāca mantriṇastu tadā cakrurbhūpavākyairvicakṣaṇāḥ

Summon brahmins swiftly, ones all-knowing and versed fully in the Veda." Suta said: Then those skilled ministers, in accordance with the king's word,

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.2.11.54)

यज्ञस्य सर्वसम्भारं वेदीं यज्ञस्य विस्तृताम् । हवने वर्तमाने तु सर्पाणां तक्षको गतः

yajñasya sarvasambhāraṁ vedīṁ yajñasya vistṛtām havane vartamāne tu sarpāṇāṁ takṣako gataḥ

prepared all the materials for the sacrifice, and the vast sacrificial altar. As the oblations continued, Takshaka, among the serpents, went to Indra,

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.2.11.55)

इन्द्रं प्रति भयार्तोऽहं त्राहि मामिति चाब्रवीत् । भयभीतं समाश्वास्य स्वासने सन्निवेश्य च

indraṁ prati bhayārto'haṁ trāhi māmiti cābravīt bhayabhītaṁ samāśvāsya svāsane sanniveśya ca

and, tormented with fear, said, "Protect me." Comforting that terrified one, seating him upon his own throne,

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.2.11.56)

ददावभयमत्यर्थं निर्भयो भव पन्नग । तमिन्द्रशरणं ज्ञात्वा मुनिर्दत्ताभयं तथा

dadāvabhayamatyarthaṁ nirbhayo bhava pannaga tamindraśaraṇaṁ jñātvā munirdattābhayaṁ tathā

Indra granted him complete freedom from fear — "O serpent, be free of fear." Knowing that he had thus taken refuge with Indra, and had been granted safety,

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.2.11.57)

उत्तङ्कोऽह्वयदुद्विग्नः सेन्द्रं कृत्वा निमन्त्रणम् । स्मृतस्तदा तक्षकेण यायावरकुलोद्भवः

uttaṅko'hvayadudvignaḥ sendraṁ kṛtvā nimantraṇam smṛtastadā takṣakeṇa yāyāvarakulodbhavaḥ

the sage Uttanka, distressed, began to summon Takshaka along with Indra himself. At that very time, remembered by Takshaka, a sage born in the Yayavara lineage,

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.2.11.58)

आस्तीको नाम धर्मात्मा जरत्कारुसुतो मुनिः । तत्रागत्य मुनेर्बालस्तुष्टाव जनमेजयम्

āstīko nāma dharmātmā jaratkārusuto muniḥ tatrāgatya munerbālastuṣṭāva janamejayam

the righteous sage named Astika, son of Jaratkaru, arrived there, and that young sage, coming there, offered praise to King Janamejaya.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.2.11.59)

राजा तमर्चयामास दृष्ट्वा बालं सुपण्डितम् । अर्चयित्वा नृपस्तं तु छन्दयामास वाञ्छितैः

rājā tamarcayāmāsa dṛṣṭvā bālaṁ supaṇḍitam arcayitvā nṛpastaṁ tu chandayāmāsa vāñchitaiḥ

Seeing that most learned boy, the king honoured him; and having honoured him, offered him a boon of whatever he might desire.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.2.11.60)

स तु वव्रे महाभाग यज्ञोऽयं विरमत्विति । सत्यबद्धो नृपस्तेन प्रार्थितश्च पुनस्तथा

sa tu vavre mahābhāga yajño'yaṁ viramatviti satyabaddho nṛpastena prārthitaśca punastathā

That most fortunate boy asked as his boon, "Let this sacrifice cease here." Bound by his word of truth, that king was implored by him yet again —

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.2.11.61)

होमं निवर्तयामास सर्पाणां मुनिवाक्यतः । भारतं श्रावयामास वैशम्पायन विस्तरात्

homaṁ nivartayāmāsa sarpāṇāṁ munivākyataḥ bhārataṁ śrāvayāmāsa vaiśampāyana vistarāt

and the king, at the sage's word, halted the offering of serpents into the fire. Then Vaishampayana caused the Mahabharata to be recited to him at length.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.2.11.62)

श्रुत्वापि नृपतिः कामं न शान्तिमभिजग्मिवान् । व्यासं पप्रच्छ भूपालो मम शान्तिः कथं भवेत्

śrutvāpi nṛpatiḥ kāmaṁ na śāntimabhijagmivān vyāsaṁ papraccha bhūpālo mama śāntiḥ kathaṁ bhavet

Yet even after hearing all this, the king did not attain the peace he sought. The king asked Vyasa, "How may peace come to me?

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.2.11.63)

मनोऽतिदह्यते कामं किं करोमि वदस्व मे । पिता मे दुर्भगस्यैव मृतः पार्थसुतात्मजः

mano'tidahyate kāmaṁ kiṁ karomi vadasva me pitā me durbhagasyaiva mṛtaḥ pārthasutātmajaḥ

My mind burns without end; tell me, what am I to do. My most unfortunate father, grandson of the sons of Pritha, has met his death.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.2.11.64)

क्षत्रियाणां महाभाग सङ्ग्रामे मरणं वरम् । रणे वा मरणं व्यास गृहे वा विधिपूर्वकम्

kṣatriyāṇāṁ mahābhāga saṅgrāme maraṇaṁ varam raṇe vā maraṇaṁ vyāsa gṛhe vā vidhipūrvakam

O illustrious one, for kshatriyas death upon the battlefield is held the noblest — O Vyasa, whether death in war, or death at home, performed in proper form.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.2.11.65)

मरणं न पितुर्मेऽभूदन्तरिक्षे मृतोऽवशः । शान्त्युपायं वदस्वात्र त्वं च सत्यवतीसुत

maraṇaṁ na piturme'bhūdantarikṣe mṛto'vaśaḥ śāntyupāyaṁ vadasvātra tvaṁ ca satyavatīsuta

But my father's death was not like this — he died helpless, up in the sky. Tell me the means to peace, O son of Satyavati,

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.2.11.66)

यथा स्वर्गं व्रजेदाशु पिता मे दुर्गतिं गतः

yathā svargaṁ vrajedāśu pitā me durgatiṁ gataḥ

so that my father, who came to so evil an end, might swiftly attain heaven."