Story 14 - The curse on snakes

Vasuki was the eldest son of Kadru and the king of all snakes. He was worried by his mother’s curse. He summoned his brothers for a meeting to discuss a way to save themselves.

Vasuki said, “Brothers! You are aware about mother’s curse. I have called for this meeting so that we can think and discuss a way to save ourselves from the curse. Every curse has a way out, but mother’s curse seems impenetrable. Let us not waste any more time. Before the calamity strikes us, we should think of a way to save ourselves.”

The snakes agreed and put forward various suggestions. Some suggested that they should beg King Janmayjay not to do the Yajna, while others advised that they should go to King Janmayjay as his ministers and advise him against performing the Yajna. There were others who advised that they should bite the head priest and kill him so that he could not perform the Yajna. Vasuki refused this proposal as if they do so, they would be doomed for an eternity on account of a murder of a Brahmin.

At this, some snakes advised that they would become clouds and put off Yajna’s fires with rain. Some snakes proposed that they should steal away Yajna’s articles. There were some ferocious snakes too who said if they kill millions of people then Yajna would be deemed inauspicious.

In the end, the snakes requested, “Vasuki! We can think of only these suggestions. Now, you decide.”

Vasuki replied, “I do not agree with any of your suggestions. All of them seem worthless. Remember, we have to think of a way that benefits us the most. I am your eldest brother. Any misfortune or failure and I will be held responsible. That is the reason I am very worried. Come! Let us all go to father Kashyap and try to please him. He can advise us something. Let us do whatever he suggests.”

Now, there was one snake by the name of Elapatra. When he heard his brother Vasuki’s concern, he replied, “Brothers! It is not possible to stop the Yajna or convince Janmayjay against performing it. We should leave ourselves to fates. There is no point of going under someone else’s shelter. Now, listen carefully. I have a way out to save ourselves from this calamity. When mother cursed us, I was very frightened and hid in her lap. That is the reason I was able to listen in on gods’ conversation with Lord Brahma.

When gods heard that harsh curse, they went to Brahma and said, “My lord! Which other woman would be more hard-hearted than Kadru who has cursed her sons to death? O father of the world! Even you did not stop her. What is the reason for that?” Brahma replied, “Gods! Now-a-days, the population of snakes has become uncontrollable. They are extremely violent, vicious, and ferocious. I did not stop Kadru for the benefit of life. This curse will end only sinful and poisonous snakes. The decent and gentle snakes will not be harmed. And then there is one more thing. In Yayavar dynasty, an ascetic called Jaratkaru will be born. His son will be called Aastik. He will be able to end Janmayjay’s Yajna and save the virtuous snakes.” After this conversation, Brahma and the other gods returned to their planets. So Vasuki! I suggest that you marry our sister Jaratkaruka with sage Jaratkaru. When he arrives to ask for our sister’s hand in marriage, you accept his proposal. That is the only way out of this trouble.”

When the snakes heard Elapatra’s account, they were relieved and agreed to his suggestion.
From that moment, Vasuki lovingly started protecting his sister. After a few days, the ocean churning exercise occurred where Vasuki played the role of the churning rope. The gods were delighted by Vasuki and took him to Brahma who repeated what Elapatra had already disclosed.

Vasuki appointed some snakes to search for sage Jaratkaru and bade them with these words, “As soon as Jaratkaru expresses his wish to get married, you rush back to me with the news. This is the only way by which we will be saved.”