Astika: The birth of the saviour

Astika, a legendary sage from ancient times, is known for his pivotal role in the cessation of the snake sacrifice initiated by King Janamejaya. This powerful narrative is one of the many stories found within the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Sauti, the storyteller, first mentioned Astika’s name while recounting the tale of Ruru and Pramadvara. Rishi Shaunaka, intrigued by the mention of Astika, eagerly requested Sauti to provide more details about how this sage managed to intervene in such a momentous event.

However, the story of Astika is not a simple one. It is deeply intertwined with the fate of his ancestors and the curse upon the serpent race. Sauti had first heard the account from his father, Lomaharshana, who had learned it from the revered sage Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa.

Jaratkaru’s Journey and the Birth of Astika

The tale begins with Astika’s father, Jaratkaru, a distinguished sage renowned for his ascetic prowess and profound self-discipline. Jaratkaru had devoted his life to penance, wandering the earth like a hermit, sustained only by air and water. His severe self-restraint allowed him to transcend the need for food and even sleep. During one of his wanderings, Jaratkaru stumbled upon his ancestors in a peculiar and disturbing state.

He found them hanging upside down in a great pit, their heads dangling while their feet were suspended by the fragile fibers of a Virana plant. The sight deeply troubled Jaratkaru, and he inquired about their suffering. His ancestors, the Yayavaras, revealed that their dire condition was due to their lineage nearing extinction. As Jaratkaru had chosen a life of celibacy, he was the last of his line, and if he did not produce an heir, they would descend into oblivion.

Understanding the weight of their plea, Jaratkaru promised his ancestors that he would marry, but not for personal gratification. He would only wed to save his family’s lineage, and he set forth conditions: the bride must bear his name, and she must be offered to him as a form of charity.

Vasuki’s Offer and the Marriage of Jaratkaru

Jaratkaru resumed his travels but struggled to find a woman who met his unusual conditions. One day, in a forest, he remembered his ancestors’ plea and prayed earnestly for a suitable bride. To his surprise, Vasuki, the king of serpents, appeared and offered his sister—Jaratkaru—as a bride. At first, Jaratkaru was hesitant, concerned that the woman’s name might not match his, but Vasuki reassured him that his sister’s name was indeed Jaratkaru. The marriage was soon arranged, and from this union, a son was born: Astika.

Vasuki’s motivations for offering his sister in marriage were driven by a curse that had been placed upon the serpent race. The mother of the snakes had prophesied that they would be decimated by a sacrificial fire during King Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice, and Vasuki hoped that by this marriage, his line might be spared.

Astika’s Mission: Stopping the Snake Sacrifice

Astika grew up with the knowledge of his divine purpose. His destiny was to save the snakes from the curse that had doomed them to perish in Janamejaya’s sacrificial fire. When the time came, King Janamejaya began the massive snake sacrifice to avenge the death of his father, Parikshit, who had been killed by a serpent named Takshaka.

As the sacrifice raged on, thousands of serpents were drawn into the fire, their lives consumed in the flames. It was then that Astika stepped forward, armed only with his wisdom and eloquence. He approached King Janamejaya and spoke with such compelling grace that the king, despite his burning desire for vengeance, was moved. Astika convinced the king to stop the ritual, sparing the lives of the remaining serpents, including his maternal uncle, Vasuki, and fulfilling his mission.

The Legacy of Astika

Through this selfless act, Astika not only saved his maternal relatives but also secured the future of his father’s lineage. Jaratkaru’s promise to his ancestors had been fulfilled, and the curse upon the serpent race had been lifted. This tale of sacrifice, redemption, and the power of wisdom over vengeance resonates deeply in the Mahabharata, symbolizing the delicate balance between duty, family, and destiny.

Astika’s story stands as a testament to the power of determination, wisdom, and compassion. His intervention during the snake sacrifice was not just an act of heroism but also a moment that altered the course of history, saving an entire race from extinction.

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