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Jaratkaru Leaves His Wife

Jaratkaru leaves his wife’s house to resume his ascetic penances

Table of Contents (The Complete Mahabharata in Simple English)

Previous Post: Jaratkaru Marries Vasuki’s Sister

Note: In the previous post, we read about the marriage of Jaratkaru with Vasuki’s sister and the conception of their child (although Vasuki’s sister didn’t know she had conceived).

In this post, we will read about the incident where Jaratkaru leaves his wife’s house to return to his ascetic penances.

One day Jaratkaru was sleeping with his head on his wife’s lap. He looked very tired and slept till the evening ‘sandhya’ when the sun was about to set. 

This put his noble wife in a dilemma since the rishi was both punctual and particular about performing his religious ceremonies at this time. On the one hand she was afraid of waking him up and offending him, and, on the other hand, she was concerned that if he did not do his evening ‘sandhya’ ritual before twilight turned into night, he would lose his virtue. 

As she reasoned with herself, she concluded that a virtuous person losing his virtue was a greater loss than facing his anger. Speaking in a sweet and gentle tone, she said, “O fortunate one, the sun is setting. It’s time for your evening sacrifices, perform your prayers after purifying yourself with water and saying Vishnu’s name.”

The great saint, thus awoken by his wife, was outraged. His upper lip quivered as he said, “O pleasant one of the Naga race, you have insulted me. I strongly believe that the sun does not have the power to set while I am sleeping. It is said that an insulted person should not live in the place where he has been insulted, this is especially true for virtuous people. 

Hearing these words Jaratkaru’s wife trembled with fear. She said, “O Brahmana, I did not wake you up to insult you. I woke you up to help you maintain your virtue (which had been accumulated by Jaratkaru through regularly performing the evening prayers).” But these words had no effect on Jaratkaru who was possessed with anger and desirous of leaving his wife.

The rishi said, “O fair one, I have never lied, therefore I must do what I have said, and leave this place. It was clearly decided between us that I will leave the moment you say or do anything that displeases me. O pleasant one, we have lived happily, therefore, after I leave, tell your brother that Ihave left, and do not grieve for me.

Vasuki’s beautiful sister was filled with fear and sorrow and her face turned pale when she heard these words. However, she mustered the courage to fold her hands and say these words to her husband, “It is not correct of you to leave me when Ihave not committed any fault. You tread on the path of virtue and so do I. My heart has been fixed on the welfare of my serpent relatives. The reason for our marriage has not yet been accomplished. We do not have any offspring as yet. This offspring is destined to save my relatives from their mother’s curse. How can I tell my brother that you have left and what will my brother say? O noble brahmin, the welfare of my relatives depends on our child. Moved by compassion for them, I request you to not leave me. O excellent brahmin, you are a high-souled person. I simply cannot understand why you are leaving me when I have not made any mistake?”

Hearing his wife’s words, the rishi said that which was proper and suitable for that moment: “O fortunate one, you have already conceived a high-souled rishi who is learned in the Vedas and their branches. This child, in your womb, is resplendent life Agni himself.”

After speaking these words, the great rishi of virtuous soul left with his heart set upon resuming his ascetic penances.

Note: In the next post, we will read about the conversation Vasuki and his sister have after Jaratkaru leaves.

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Next Post: Vasuki is Anxious About the Future of the Serpents After After Jaratkaru Leaves his Sister

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Jaratkaru Marries Vasuki’s Sister

Manasa Devi with husband, Jaratkaru, and son, Astika, flanked by Nagas

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Previous Post: Jaratkaru Finds His Wife

Note: Note: In the previous post, we read about how Jaratkaru cried out to the beings of the forest for a wife and how the chief of the serpents, Vasuki, offered his sister’s hand in marriage to the rishi.

In this post, we will read about the marriage of Jaratkaru and Vasuki’s sister.

Convinced by Vasuki’s promise to maintain (financially) his sister, Jaratkaru, the excellent brahmana of rigid vows, well-versed in mantras, married Vasuki’s sister according to shastric rites. 

Vasuki had prepared a special room for his sister and the rishi. It was a delightful room that had a bed covered with expensive sheets. Vasuki’s sister, adored by the rishi, entered the room where they took up residence.

Soon after marriage, Jaratkaru made an agreement with his wife. He said, “You must not say or do anything that displeased me. If such a thing happens, I will leave you and this house, immediately.”

The rishi’s words made his wife sad and anxious. However, she agreed, saying, “So be it,” because she wanted to help her serpent relatives. That maiden of pure reputation attended to the rishi day and night. Her care for the rishi is compared to the wakefulness of a dog, the timidity of a deer, and the knowledge of interpreting signs like a crow.

One day, after her menstrual period, she purified herself by bathing according to custom, and approached the rishi. She conceived that day, and the embryo was resplendent like fire and, filled with immense energy, it grew like the waxing moon.

Note: Note: In the next post, we will read about the rishi, Jaratkaru, leaving his wife

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Jaratkaru Finds His Wife

Devi Manasa (also known as Jaratkaru). Image credit: By anonymous – https://clevelandart.org/art/2003.106, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77346671

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Previous Post: Jaratkaru Places a Condition for Marriage

Note: In the previous post, we read how Jaratkaru felt great compassion for his pitris but also placed a condition for getting married.

In this post, we will find out how Jaratkaru found his wife.

After assuring his Pitris that he would try his best to find a wife and also having explained his conditions for marriage, Jaratkaru wandered to different places to find a wife, but being old, he could not find any woman who was willing to marry him. This failure to find a woman who would marry him gave Jaratkaru much grief. So great was his grief that he went into a forest and wept loudly. However, he also felt immense compassion for his pitris, and from this desire to do something good for them, he said three times, “I will ask for a bride. I will ask for a bride. I will ask for a bride.” 

Jaratkaru looked around and said, “O creatures who lives here, whether mobile or immobile, visible or invisible, please hear my words. My ancestors are grief-stricken and have instructed me to marry for the sake of extending the lineage. I have roamed in poverty and sorrow to different places to obtain a wife who is bestowed on me as alms. O creatures, if any of you have a daughter, bestow her on me as a wife. I will only marry a maiden who has the same name as me and I tell you, (now itself), that I will not be able to maintain her.”

“O creatures,” Jaratkaru cried aloud again, “bestow such a maiden and let her be my wife.”

Note: You might remember, from a previous post, that Vasuki had convened a meeting of the serpents to find a way to neutralize Kadru’s curse. At that time, one of the serpents called Elapatra narrated what he had heard from Brahma Deva when he sat shivering after being cursed. He had heard that an ascetic called Jaratkaru would marry Vasuki’s sister (who was also called Jaratkaru) and their son would protect the snakes in Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice. At that time, Vasuki had asked a group of serpents to follow the ascetic and inform Vasuki when he set out in search of a wife.

When Jaratkaru cried out for a wife in the forest, the serpents Vasuki had deployed to follow him, immediately went to Vasuki and informed him about Jaratkaru’s inclination and arrival in the forest. 

Upon hearing this information, Vasuki asked his sister to get ready. She decked herself with ornaments and they both went to the forest to meet Rishi Jaratkaru. Vasuki, the chief of the snakes, offered his sister as alms to the high-souled rishi. 

When Jaratkaru heard Vasuki’s words, he paused and reflected before giving an answer. First, he asked Vasuki his sister’s name and told him that he would not be able to care for her needs.

Vasuki replied, “O best of brahmanas, my sister’s name is also Jaratkaru, the same as yours, and she has ascetic merit as well. Moreover, do not worry about maintaining her because I will take care of her and also protect her with all my powers. O great ascetic, I have raised my sister to marry you.”

Jaratkaru replied, “Alright, then I will marry her on the condition that she does not do anything to displease me. If she does such a thing, then I will leave immediately.”

Note: In the next post, we will read about Jaratkaru’s marriage and the birth of Astika.

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Next Post: Jaratkaru Marries Vasuki’s Sister

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Jaratkaru Places a Condition for Marriage

Table of Contents (The Complete Mahabharata in Simple English)

Previous Post: The Pitris Explain the Allegorical Meaning of the Rat and the Single Cord of Root

Note: In the previous post, Jaratkaru’s ancestors explained the allegorical meaning of the single cord of Virana root, the rat, and their unfortunate state in which they were hanging upside down.

In this post, we will read how Jaratkaru agreed to get married and the condition he placed for the same.

Hearing his ancestors’ words caused tears to come into Jaratkaru’s eyes. He said, “O my ancestors, I am that sinful Jaratkaru who has caused you grief. Either punish me for my sinful deeds or tell me what I can do to reduce your woes.”

The pitris replied, “O child, it is good fortune that you have come to this place. Tell us, why have you not married?”

Jaratkaru said, “O pitris, for a long time, I have had the desire to enter the higher realms of existence with this body. However, that is only possible if I control and raise my sexual energy. This is the reason I decided to practise brahmacharya. But I have changed my mind after seeing your suffering, O grandsires. I will certainly marry and have a child for your welfare. The child will be the cause of your freedom and you will live without fear in a state of ananda, forever.”

After agreeing to marry for the sake of his ancestors, Jaratkaru placed some conditions for his marriage. He said, “I will marry if I meet a maiden whose name is also Jaratkaru and if she marries me of her own free will with the understanding that I will not be able to take care of her needs. I will marry only if I meet such a maiden, otherwise, I will not marry.”

Note: I found it very interesting that Jaratkaru placed a condition for getting married. 

Even though he felt great sorrow for his Pitri’s plight and wanted to help them, he understood that getting married and entering wordly life would take him away from his desired path of entering the higher realms without giving up his body. I want to stress on the word ‘desire’ because it gives us an understanding that desires come in many forms, and the desire (or aspiration) that comes from one’s own soul is one’s swadharma, and that is not to be abandoned for anyone’s sake. By putting the condition for marriage, Jaratkaru ensured and aspired for a solution that would end his Pitri’s suffering without abandoning his swadharma. Also, the condition that he would only marry a lady who willingly married him knowing that he would not be able to care for her needs, ensured that the lady he married would not be in the dark about what to expect. I believe he was hoping that a lady who was also marrying primarily for progeny (for reasons of her own) would marry him. Finally, his condition that the maiden he marries should also have the same name, Jaratkaru, seems to be divinely inspired since he was fated to marry Vasuki’s sister, Jaratkaru, because their son, Astika, would save the noble serpents, from his mother’s side of the family, in Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice.

In the next post, we will find out how Jaratkaru finds his wife

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The Pitris Explain the Allegorical Meaning of the Rat and the Single Cord of Root

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Previous Post: The Pitris Explain Their Background and Suffering to Jaratkaru

Note: In the previous post, the Pitris explained the reason for their suffering.

In this post, we will learn that the scenario of the Pitris hanging upside down was symbolic in nature. Here, we are explained the allegorical meaning of the entire scene.

The Pitris concluded the explanation of their suffering by saying, “That is the reason we hang in this hole as if unconscious and having no one to care for us. If you meet Jaratkaru, tell him about our suffering and explain to that brahmin, who has immense ascetic wealth, that he is the only surviving  descendant of our race. He is the only one who can further the ancestral line. Tell him to get married and have children.”

Note: After this, the Pitris explain the allegorical meaning of hanging upside down on a single cord. This is one of the very few times in the Mahabharata that an incident is clearly mentioned as allegorical and its meaning explained in detail.

The Pitris explained that the Virana roots represented their race. The rat represented ‘Time’. The cords that had been eaten away by the rat represented the spirits of the Pitris that had deceased having succumbed to Time. The single cord of Virana root, half-eaten by the rat, represented Jaratkaru who had dedicated his life to ascetic penance and was gradually being weakened by Time. Them (the Pitris) hanging upside down represented the fact that they were sinking like wretches because Jaratkaru, their last hope, didn’t understand that his penances could not save them. If he continued disregarding his duty to his ancestor, their entire race including Jaratkaru would sink into hell.

Note: The Mahabharata doesn’t always explain allegories so explicitly. The fact that it’s so explicit could have many meanings. However, without that deep a knowledge of “passages as symbols”, I can only guess. It might mean that Jaratkaru has an inner vision of his Pitris hanging upside down. Inner visions and dreams often have their own language of symbols, which was then explained to us. It might also be Vyasa Muni’s way of telling the readers that the Mahabharata, even though it is Itihasa, contains several allegories to explain dharmic concepts. The reader is therefore urged to read the epic introspectively rather than like a novel. Alternatively, it may have a completely different meaning that we haven’t understood yet. 

Whatever be the meaning of explicitly mentioning an allegory, one thing is fairly clear – if we read the Mahabharata in an introspective manner with a genuine aspiration to understand the dharma, then dharma will most certainly reveal its subtleties to us.

In the next post, we will read about Jaratkaru’s response to his Pitris where he places a condition for getting married.

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The Pitris Explain Their Background and Suffering to Jaratkaru

The higher lokas according to Sanatana Dharma

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Previous Post: Jaratkaru Meets His Pitris

Note: In the previous post, we read about how Jaratkaru saw his Pitris hanging upside down in a hole. That sight filled Jaratkaru with empathy and he asked the spirits who they were and what he could do to alleviate their suffering.

In this post we will find out the background of the spirits of the Pitris and why they were suffering.

The pitris continued, “O brahmana, let us tell you who we are. We are rishis of rigid vows from the Yayavara sect. The fruits of our severe penances are still with us, but we have fallen from the sacred region because of the loss of children. We have only one thread left now. The only descendant we have, Jaratkaru, has studied the sacred Vedas and it’s branches, but unfortunately, he practices his asceticism alone. He is one with his soul, his desires are high, and his passions are completely under control. He is even free from the desire for the fruits of his ascetic practices. But he doesn’t have a wife or son or any relatives and that is the cause of our deplorable state.”

The Vyavahara rishis did not know they said these words to Jaratkaru himself, their descendant. After explaining the reason for their suffering, they said to Jaratkaru, “O noble one, if you meet him, please tell him that his pitris are hanging in a hole on a single cord with their face down. O, tell him to marry and have children. He is a great ascetic but his heart is still underdeveloped (and, therefore, by implication, he should get married so that the relationship would help him develop his heart). His sense of prudence is also underdeveloped. O child, when you meet that wretch Jaratkaru, tell him everything you have seen here, and tell him that having a child is even more virtuous than ascetic practices (in the current situation). Convince him to marry and have children.”

Note: In the next post, the Pitris explain the allegorical meaning of “hanging upside down on a single cord of root.”

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Next Post: The Pitris Explain the Allegorical Meaning of Hanging Upside Down in a Hole

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Jaratkaru Meets His Pitris

Wandering sage

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Previous Post: Parikshit’s Son Janamejaya is Crowned the Next King

Note: In the previous post, we read about the coronation and marriage of Janamejaya.

In this post, we return to Rishi Jaratkaru’s story. The Astika Parva began with the incident of Rishi Jaratkaru meeting his Pitris. We circle back to the same incident (but with a little additional information) in this post. This is Vyas Muni’s way of telling us that the diversion has ended and we are back on the main story line.

Meanwhile, the great ascetic Jaratkaru roamed wide and far. He walked during the day, and when the sun was about to set, he stopped and stayed in that place for the night. Blessed with great ascetic power, he practised different vows that were difficult to practice for normal people not sufficiently matured on the spiritual path. His only sustenance was air and sunlight and he bathed in various holy waters. Jaratkaru had already gained freedom from the desire of worldy pleasures. Not having any food emaciated his body which became very lean.

One day, while wandering, Jaratkaru saw the spirits of his ancestors hanging upside down in a hole by a single cord of Virana root. That single thread which supported his ancestors was also being eaten away by a large rat who stayed in that hole. Jaratkaru noticed that his pitris (ancestors) did not have any food because of which they had become emaciated. They were in a sad condition and eager for release from the earthly plane.

Jaratkaru approached them humbly and asked, “Who are you all and why are you hanging on this single cord of Virana root? Much of this cord has been eaten by a rat and the little thread that remains will soon buckle causing you will fall into the hole with your faces downwards.” 

Great compassion arose within Jaratkaru when he saw his pitris in this pitiable and dangerous state. Once again he addressed his ancestors saying, “What can I do for you? Tell me please if this calamity that awaits you can be removed by my asceticism. I will give up one-fourth of the virtue I have gained through my asceticism to save you. Why one-fourth, I will give up one-third, or half, or even all the fruits of my asceticism to relieve you from this calamity. Take my entire asceticism and do whatever needs to be done to come out of this dangerous situation.”

The pitris replied, “O great ascetic, you want to help us but our troubles cannot be relieved by asceticism. We also have the fruits of our prior asceticism, but Brahma Deva himself had once said that a son (child?) is of great merit, far more than asceticism. That’s the reason we are falling into this hole. It’s because we are unable to see our line of descendants grow. O noble one, we do not know who you are, but we know that you are a venerable ascetic who feels sad seeing us in this condition.”

Note: In the next post, the Pitris will inform Jaratkaru about their background.

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The Meaning of the Name Jaratkaru

Manasa with her husband, Jaratkaru, and son, Astika.

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Previous Post: The Devas Request Brahma Deva to Help Vasuki

Note: In the previous post, we read about how the devas requested Brahma Deva to help ease Vasuki’s anxiety which was caused by the impending threat faced by the serpents.

Brahma Deva provided relief by saying that the son born from the union of sage Jaratkaru and Vasuki’s sister, who was also called Jaratkaru, would save the innocent serpents.

In this post, we will find out the meaning of the name, “Jaratkaru.”

Saunaka Kulapati, the ascetic in Naimisha Forest said to Ugrasrava Sauti, “O son of Suta, why was the illustrious Rishi whom you just mentioned, named Jaratkaru? I would also like to know the origin and meaning of that word.”

Sauti said, “The meaning of ‘Jara’ is to waste away and ‘Karu’ means huge. This illustrious rishi once had a huge body which he gradually reduced by severe ascetic penances. He is known as Jaratkaru because his huge body was wasted away and reduced in mass due to his penances.

Vasuki’s sister is also called Jaratkaru for the same reason.

The virtuous ascetic of Naimisha Forest, Saunaka Kulapati, was pleased by Sauti’s answer. He smiled and said, “That is correct.”

Note: In the next post, Saunaka Kulapati expresses the desire to know more about the birth of Jaratkaru’s son, Astika. At a higher level, there were several events that became the cause of circumstances that led to Jaratkaru’s marriage and Astika’s birth. At this point, the narrative of the Mahabharata begins a sub-story to describe the events that led to Astika’s birth. These events are related to Abhimanyu’s son, Parikshit, the serpent king, Takshaka, and many others. In the next post, we will also find out how Abhimanyu’s son, Raja Parikshit, committed the blunder of insulting a noble sage.

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Next Post: King Parikshit Commits the Mistake of Insulting a Noble Sage

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Jaratkaru’s Son Astika – the Savior of Serpents

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Previous Post: Rishi Jaratkaru’s Places Some Conditions for Getting Married

Note: In the previous post, we read about Rishi Jaratkaru’s marriage to the Naga maiden, and Vasuki’s sister, Jaratkaru. 

In this post, we will find out why Vasuki wanted his sister to marry Rishi Jaratkaru.

Sauti addressed the ascetics in Naimisha forest to tell them about why Vasuki wanted to marry his sister to Jaratkaru, “O foremost of people who are acquainted with Brahma, a long time back, a woman, who was the mother of a thousand snakes, had cursed her children. She decreed that Agni would burn them at Janamejaya’s sacrifice. Vasuki, the chief of the snakes, married his sister to Rishi Jaratkaru to neutralize that curse. A high-souled child, called Astika, was born of their union. He became an illustrious ascetic, well-versed in the Vedas and their branches, and he regarded every one with a balanced viewpoint. Thus, he removed the fears of both his parents.”

Note: Astika removed the fears of both his parents because Rishi Jaratkaru wanted a child who would please his ancestors and the Naga woman Jaratkaru wanted a child who would rescue the snakes at Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice. Astika did both.

A long time after Astika’s birth, a descendant of the Pandavas conducted a great snake sacrifice for the destruction of the Nagas. 

Note: Janamejaya’s father, Parikshit, was killed by Takshaka’s bite. Janamejaya conducted the snake sacrifice to avenge his father’s death.

Because Astika’s mother was a Naga, the Nagas who were losing their lives at Janamejaya’s sacrifice were his cousins and maternal uncles. Astika was able to save many of the Nagas at the sacrifice. 

Eventually, Astika also had offspring, thus repaying the debt to his ancestors. 

By performing yagnas and making different kinds of offerings, he propitiated the Gods, and by practicing the brahmacharya mode of life, he also pleased the rishis.

Thus, by getting married, and having Astika as a child, Rishi Jaratkaru of strict vows released himself from all bondage and, after a long life, ascended to heaven. 

After narrating the story of Astika, Sauti addressed the ascetic (Saunaka Kulapati), “O tiger of the Bhrigu race, I have told you the story of Astika. Now, which story should I narrate next?”

Note: Saunaka Kulapati, wanted to hear the entire story of Astika, including the old curse on the Nagas, in more detail. In the next post, we will begin with the full story of how the Nagas were cursed and how Astika saved them.

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Next Post: The Birth of Garuda – the Serpent Eater

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Rishi Jaratkaru Places Some Conditions for Getting Married

An 11th-century, Pala period, statue of the serpent lady, Jaratkaru

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Previous Post: Rishi Jaratkaru Meets his Pitris

Note: In the previous post, we read that Jaratkaru’s ancestors were upset with him for dedicating his life to ascetic practices instead of getting married and having children to further their ancestral line.

In this post, we will read about his ancestors’ request and Jaratkaru’s response.

When Jaratkaru asked his ancestors how he could serve them, they replied, “O child, get married and try to extend our lineage. The merit one gets by becoming a father cannot be obtained through virtue or ascetic practices. Therefore, set your heart on getting married and having offspring. This way, you will perform an act of great merit for yourself and us.”

Jaratkaru replied, “Even though I do not wish to marry or earn wealth, I will marry for your welfare.”

Jaratkaru continued, “I will marry a woman according to the ordinances of the shastras, however, the name of my bride should be the same as mine, and her friends and relations should willingly give her in marriage to a poor man like me. I give you my word, O ancestors, that if I am able to meet such a woman, I will get married and raise children for your redemption, so you may rejoice and proceed to the eternal regions.” 

Having said this, Jaratkaru continued with his journey and wandered to different places in search of a wife. One day, he went to a forest and prayed three times, in a faint voice, for a wife. 

Shortly after that, Vasuki (the great and noble serpent) offered his sister in marriage to the rishi. However, Jaratkaru hesitated. He wanted to know if her name was the same as his. He asked Vasuki, “Tell me the truth, what is the name of your sister?”

Vasuki replied, “O Jaratkaru, this is my younger sister. Her name is Jaratkaru. I give her in marriage to you because we have waited for this day when I could marry her to you.

Thus the rishi Jaratkaru and Vasuki Naga’s sister, also called Jaratkaru, got married according to proper rites.

Note: In the next post, we will read about the birth of Jaratkaru’s son, Astika.

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Next Post: Jaratkaru’s Son Astika — the Saviour of Serpents

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Sage Jaratkaru Meets his Pitris

Credits: Image taken on Assi Ghat, Varanasi, by Miraage.Clicks

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Previous Post: Rishi Sahasrapat Regains his Human Form

Note: In the previous post, we read about how Rishi Sahasrapat regained his human form and advised Ruru to be kind toward all creatures. The rishi also mentioned Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice. Ruru wanted to know more about why Janamejaya chose to conduct the sacrifice, but Sahasrapat vanished without answering. After searching in vain, Ruru returned home and asked his father (Rishi Pramati) about the snake sacrifice.

As you will remember, all of this was narrated by Ugrasrava Sauti to the ascetics in Naimisha Forest who had just completed attending Saunaka Kulapati’s 12-year yagna. 

After hearing Ruru’s story, Saunaka Kulapati was also curious to find out who Janamejaya was, and why had he conducted the snake sacrifice that took the lives of numerous snakes. Saunaka was also curious to know who Astika was, and why he saved the snakes.

At this point, in the Mahabharata, we are reminded that this narration is also known as a Purana by wise brahmins. We are reminded that Krishna Dwaipayana (Ved Vyasa) originally narrated this story and that Sauti’s wise father (Lomaharshana) was a disciple of Ved Vyasa. Sauti heard the Mahabharata from his father when Lomaharshana was narrating it to the dwellers of Naimisha forest. Coincidentally, now, Sauti was also narrating the Mahabharata in the Naimisha forest.

Sauti assured Saunaka Kulapati that he would narrate the story of Astika exactly as he had heard it from his father, Lomaharshana.

Sauti said to the ascetics, “O listen, as I recite this sin-destroying story in full.”

Astika was the son of a powerful sage called Jaratkaru. Jaratkaru was always engaged in austere devotions. He ate very little and was a brahma-chari with his bodily urges completely under his control. He was a virtuous sage of rigid vows and had great ascetic power. He was also known as a yayavara sage.

Note: ‘Yayavara’ was a term used for wandering sages.

One day, Jaratkaru decided to undertake a long journey over the entire world. He walked during the day and rested at night. Thus, he visited different places and bathed in various sacred waters. 

This great sage practiced austerities that would have been very difficult for ordinary people who did not have the same restraint as he did. On this journey, he did not eat solid food, sustaining himself entirely on air. Because he had also renounced sleep, he rested, without sleeping, at night. Due to his spiritual power, he walked about like a blazing fire.

One day, while traveling, he saw certain beings hanging upside down, on a rope made of virana fibres, in a huge hole. However, that rope had been secretly eaten by all sides by a rat who lived in that same hole. Jaratkaru approached those beings and asked them who they were.

The beings said, “We are rishis of rigid vows. We are known as  Yayavaras. We are troubled and are sinking low into the earth because we do not have descendants. We have a son named Jaratkaru, but that wretch has undertaken a life of austerities. The fool does not think of getting married and raising children. We are afraid that our race will become extinct. That is why we are suspended in this hole, and even though we have possessions, we live like beings who have nothing.”

These hanging rishis asked Jaratkaru, “Who are you, O excellent one, and why are you looking so sad after hearing our story?”

Jaratkaru replied, “O great ones, I am the Jaratkaru you spoke of, and you are my ancestors. Please tell me, how may I serve you?”

Note: In the next post, we will read about what Jaratkaru’s ancestors asked from him.

Next Post: Rishi Jaratkaru Places Some Conditions for Getting Married

Table of Contents (The Complete Mahabharata in Simple English)

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