The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section XLII
Section XLII.
( Astika Parva continued. )
Sauti said, "And Sringi then replied to his father, saying, 'Whether this be an act of rashness, O father, or an improper act that I have done, whether thou likest it or dislikest it, the words spoken by me shall never be vain. O father, I tell thee, this (curse) can never be otherwise. I have never spoken a lie even in jest.'
"And Shamika said, 'Dear child, I know that thou art of great prowess, and truthful in speech. Thou hast never spoken a falsehood before, so that thy curse shall never be falsified. The son, even when he attaineth to age, should yet be always counselled by the father, so that crowned with good qualities he may acquire great renown. A child as thou art, how much more dost thou stand in need of counsel? Thou art ever engaged in ascetic penances. The wrath of even the illustrious ones possessing the six attributes increaseth greatly. O thou foremost of ordinance-observing persons, seeing that thou art my son and a minor too, and beholding also thy rashness, I see that I must counsel thee. Live thou, O son, inclined to peace and—eating of the fruits and roots of the forest. Kill this thy anger and destroy not the fruit of thy ascetic acts so. Wrath surely decreaseth the virtue that ascetics acquire with great pains. And then for those deprived of virtue, the blessed state existeth not. Peacefulness ever giveth success to forgiving ascetics. This world and the next are both for the forgiving. Therefore becoming forgiving in thy temper and conquering thy passions, shouldst thou always live. By forgiveness shalt thou obtain worlds that are beyond the reach of Brahma himself. Having adopted peacefulness myself, and with a desire also of doing good as much as lies in my power, I must do something; even must I send to that king, telling him,—O monarch, thou hast been cursed by my son of tender years and undeveloped intellect, in wrath at seeing thy act of disrespect towards myself.—'"
Sauti continued, "And that great ascetic, observant of vows, moved by kindness, sent with proper instructions a disciple of his to king Parikshita. And he sent his disciple Gaurmukha of good manners and engaged also in ascetic penances, instructing him to first inquire about the welfare of the king and then to communicate the real message. And that disciple soon approached that monarch—the head of the Kuru race. And he entered the king's palace having first sent notice of his arrival through the servant in attendance at the gate.
"And the twice-born Gaurmukha was worshipped by the monarch with proper forms. And after resting for a while, he detailed fully to the king in the presence of his ministers the words of Shamika, of cruel import, exactly as he had been instructed.
"And Gaurmukha said, 'O king of kings, there is a Rishi, Shamika, by name, of virtuous soul, his passions under control, peaceful and given up to hard ascetic devotions, living in thy dominions. By thee, O tiger amongst men, was placed on the shoulders of that Rishi, observing at present the vow of silence, a dead snake, with the end of thy bow. He himself forgave thee that act. But his son could not. And by the latter hast thou to-day been cursed, O king of kings, without the knowledge of his father; to the effect that within seven nights hence shall (the snake) Takshaka be thy death. And Shamika repeatedly asked his son to save thee, but there is none to falsify his son's curse. And because he hath been unable to pacify his son possessed with anger, therefore have I been sent to thee, O king, for thy good.'
"And that king of the Kuru race, himself engaged in ascetic practices, having heard these cruel words and recollecting his own sinful act, became exceedingly sorry. And the king, learning that foremost of Rishis in the forest had been observing the vow of silence, was doubly afflicted with sorrow. And learning the kindness of the Rishi Shamika, and his own sinful act towards him, the king became very repentant. And the king looking like a very god, did not grieve so much for hearing of his death as for having done that act to the Rishi.
"And then the king sent away Gaurmukha, saying, 'Let the worshipful one (Shamika) be gracious to me.' And when Gaurmukha had gone away, the king, in great anxiety, without loss of time, consulted with his ministers. And having consulted with his ministers, the king, wise in counsels himself, caused a mansion to be erected upon one solitary column. And it was well-guarded day and night. And for its protection were placed there physicians and medicines and Brahmanas skilled in mantras, all around. And the monarch, protected on all sides, discharged his kingly duties from that place surrounded by his virtuous ministers. And no one could approach that best of kings there. The air even could not go there, being prevented from entering.
"And when the seventh day had arrived, that best of Brahmanas, the learned Kasyapa, was coming (towards the king's residence) desirous of treating the king (after the snake-bite.) He had heard all that had taken place, viz., that Takshaka, that first of snakes, would send that best of monarchs to the vicinage of Yama. And he thought, 'I would cure the monarch after he is bit by the first of snakes. By that I may have wealth and may acquire virtue also.' But that prince of snakes, Takshaka, in the form of an old Brahmana, saw Kasyapa approaching on his way, his heart set upon curing the king. And the prince of snakes then spake unto that bull amongst Munis, Kasyapa, saying, 'Whither dost thou go with such speed? What, besides, is the business upon which thou art intent?'
"And Kasyapa, thus addressed, replied, 'Takshaka, by his poison, will to-day burn king Parikshita of the Kuru race, that oppressor of all enemies. And I go with speed, O amiable one, to cure, without loss of time, that king of immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Pandava race, after he is bit by the same Takshaka like to Agni himself in energy.' And Takshaka answered, 'I am that Takshaka, O Brahmana, who shall burn that lord of the earth. Stop thou, for thou art unable to cure one bit by me.' And Kasyapa rejoined, 'I am sure that possessed of the power of learning, going thither I shall cure that monarch bit by thee.'"
And so ends the forty-second Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.