Souti said: -
1. Having heard all this, Jaratkaru became exceedingly sorry. He spoke to the Pitris in sorrow and his words were choked years.
Jaratkaru said: -
2. You are my fathers and grandfathers who are gone before. Tell me, therefore, what I can do for your welfare.
3. I am that Jaratkaru, your sinful son. I am a worthless man, a man of sinful deeds. Pray, punish me.
The Ancestors said: -
4. O son, you have come by good luck at this spot in your travel. O Brahamana, why have you not taken a wife?
Jaratkaru said: -
5. O Pitris, I have this desire always in my heart, that having kept my sexual passion under complete control, I shall take this body to the other world.
6. My mind is possessed with the idea that I must not take a wife. But having seen you, my sires, hanging like birds,
7. O grandfathers, my mind has been diverted from Brahmacharya. I shall certainly do your favourite work.
8-9(I shall certainly many), if I get a bride of my own name, who will bestow herself on me of her own accord, who will come to me as a gift, and whom I shall not have to maintain.
10. Otherwise I shall not marry. O grandsires, I speak to you the truth. The offspring that will be begotten on her shall be the means of your salvation, and O my fathers, you will then live for ever in blessed happiness and without the apprehension of a fall.
Souti said: -
11. The Rishi (Jaratakaru), having said all this to the ancestors, (left the place and) roamed over the world again. O Saunaka, although he grew old, he did not get a wife.
12. He was very sorry that he was not successful but directed by his ancestors he continued the search. He went into the forest and wept aloud in grief.
13. Having gone into the forest, the wise Rishi, moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, “I shall ask for a bride, distinctly uttering the words thrice.
14. Whatever creatures are, mobile or immobile, visible or invisible, O you all, hear my words.
15. I am a man, engaged in severe penances, but my ancestors, afflicted with grief, have told me, O Get yourself married to beget a son.”
16. Directed by my ancestors, I am roaming in poverty and sorrow all over the world for wedding a maiden whom I shall get as a
17. Let any of those creatures, whom I (now) address, if he has a daughter, bestow her on me who am roving ail over the world for a bride.
18. A bride, who bears the same name with me, who will be given to me as a gift, and whom I shall not have to maintain, -(If there is such a bride), O bestow heron me.
19. Thereupon those snakes, who had been appointed to watch Jaratkaru, knowing his intention gave information to Vasuki.
20. The king of the snakes immediately went to the place where the Rishi was, taking with him his sister, decked with various ornaments.
21. O Brahmana, the king of the Snakes Vasuki, having gone there, offered the maiden as a gift to that high-souled Rishi. But he did not at once accept her.
22. The Rishi, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and seeing also that the question of her maintenance was not settled, reflected for a while and hesitated to accept her.
23. O descendant of Brigu, he then asked Vasuki the name of the maiden, and he told him also, “I shall not maintain her.”
Thus ends the forty sixth chapter, Astika, in the Adi Parva.