The curse of Kadru weighed heavily on her sons, leaving them with a deep sense of dread and fear for their future. None of them wanted to meet a dreadful fate, and each snake tried to find a way to escape the curse. However, it was the eldest son, Shesha, who chose a different path to seek redemption.
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Shesha’s Penance to Escape the Curse of Kadru
Shesha, recognizing the weight of the curse of Kadru on himself and his brothers, decided to take a route not of rebellion, but of devotion. He set off on a journey to perform intense ascetic penance, hoping to gain powers that would protect him from the curse. His pilgrimage took him to several sacred places—Gandhamandana, Vadri, Gokarna, and the woods of Pushkara, before finally settling under the foothills of Himavat (modern-day Himalayas).
For years, Shesha performed severe penance. His commitment was so extreme that he lived on air alone. Over time, his body showed the effects of his dedication—his skin dried, and his hair knotted into thick, matted locks. He had abandoned all material desires in search of peace and redemption.
Shesha’s Encounter with Lord Brahma
One day, Shesha’s austerities caught the attention of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. Impressed by Shesha’s devotion, Brahma appeared before him and asked what boon he desired. Shesha, however, did not seek personal gain. Instead, he expressed his sorrow about his brothers’ wickedness. They were consumed by malice and constantly targeted their brother Garuda and his mother, Vinata. Despite Garuda being their kin, the snakes treated him with enmity.
Shesha confided in Brahma that he wished to distance himself from his brothers, not just in this life but in any future lives as well. He no longer wanted to be associated with their malice and evil deeds.
The Boon: Shesha Balances the Earth
Lord Brahma, after listening to Shesha, reassured him that he did not need to worry about his brothers. Their destiny was already determined, and Shesha’s separation from them was certain. Yet, Brahma pressed Shesha for his boon, urging him to ask for something more.
Shesha, demonstrating his selflessness, asked for peace and love to prevail in the world. Pleased with Shesha’s noble request, Lord Brahma suggested that Shesha could help in bringing stability to the Earth itself. Brahma explained that the Earth was unsteady and required a strong force to hold it in place.
Shesha readily agreed to take on this monumental task. Brahma instructed him to descend deep within the Earth, where Goddess Earth herself would guide him. Shesha followed Brahma’s guidance, penetrating through the Earth’s core, and emerged on the other side. There, using the strength of his massive body, Shesha balanced the Earth on his head, ensuring its stability for all time.
From that day on, Shesha, also known as Lord Ananta, resides deep within the Earth, holding it steady at Brahma’s command. His strength and devotion to the greater good were the foundation for the world’s balance.
Vasuki’s Leadership: Seeking a Way to Break the Curse
While Shesha found salvation through penance and his service to the Earth, his brother Vasuki took a different approach. Vasuki, unwilling to accept the fate imposed by curse of Kadru, gathered the other snakes to devise a plan to avoid their doom. He hoped that collective wisdom would help them escape the impending destruction.
During the council organized by Vasuki, many ideas were proposed. Some suggested becoming advisors to King Janamejaya, while others proposed violent measures, such as killing those who participated in the upcoming snake sacrifice. However, none of these plans seemed feasible or wise. The snakes realized they needed a better solution if they were to survive.
Elapatra’s Prophecy and Lord Brahma’s Wisdom
Amid the tense discussions, one of their brothers, Elapatra, finally spoke up. Elapatra had been present when Kadru cursed her sons, and he had an important message to share. He reminded the group of the events that had unfolded during the time of the curse and how Lord Brahma had reacted.
At the time, the gods, concerned about the fate of the snakes, had asked Brahma why he allowed Kadru to curse her own children so cruelly. Brahma explained that the snakes had multiplied in great numbers and had become increasingly dangerous to other creatures. Their venomous bites were inflicted without reason, causing unnecessary suffering and chaos. Though it seemed harsh, curse of Kadru was for the greater good. But Brahma also hinted at a way for the snakes to escape their fate.
Astika: The Savior of the Snakes
According to Brahma, in the race of the Yayavaras, a great sage named Jaratkaru would one day have a son named Astika, who would grow up to save the snakes from destruction. This son, Astika, would play a critical role in halting the snake sacrifice that King Janamejaya would one day conduct. However, there was a condition: the sage Jaratkaru could only marry a woman with the same name as his.
Elapatra’s words gave Vasuki a glimmer of hope. He realized that he already had a sister named Jaratkaru, and she could be the key to the snakes’ salvation. Determined to secure his family’s future, Vasuki vowed to offer his sister in marriage to the sage Jaratkaru when the time came. From then on, he followed the sage closely, waiting for the moment when Jaratkaru would seek a bride.
The Path to Redemption: A Plan Set in Motion
Vasuki’s proactive approach, combined with Lord Brahma’s guidance, gave the snake brothers a chance to reverse their cursed fate. While the curse of Kadru seemed inevitable, Brahma’s prophecy and the coming of Astika offered hope. Vasuki’s determination to save his brothers, and Shesha’s selfless service to the Earth, showed two distinct but powerful responses to the curse. One relied on divine intervention, while the other sought redemption through sacrifice and devotion.
In this ancient tale of survival, the brothers’ fates were intertwined with the destiny of Rishi Jaratkaru and his son Astika, setting the stage for the ultimate salvation of the snakes.
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