11. Sahasrapat’s advice to Ruru

“Soota continued ‘The Dundubha then said, ‘In former times, I had a friend Khagamaa by name. He was powerful in his speech and possessed of Tapas power by virtue of his austerities. One day when he was engaged in the Agnihotra, I made a mock snake of blades of grass, and in a fun attempted to frighten him with it. Soon he fell fainted. On recovering his senses, that truth-telling and vow-observing (Vow means Vrata in Sanskrit) Rishi (Khagamaa), burning with anger, exclaimed, ‘Since you have made a powerless mock snake to frighten me, you shall be turned into a poisonless snake yourself by my curse.’

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA – AADI PARVA – PAULOMA (UPA) PARVA – PART 11 – SAHASRAPAT’S ADVICE TO RURU

“O Rishi (Ruru), I well knew the power of his Tapas; therefore, with an upset heart, I addressed him thus, bending low with joined hands, ‘Friend (Khagamaa), I did this by way of a joke, to excite your laughter. It is your duty to forgive me and revoke your curse.’

“Seeing me highly troubled, the Rishi (Khagamaa) was moved, and he replied, breathing hot and hard, ‘What I have said must happen. Listen to what I say and keep it to your heart. O Dharmic one! when Ruru, the pure son of (Rishi) Pramati, will appear, you shall be relieved from the curse the moment you see him.’ You are the very Ruru and the son of Pramati. On regaining my original (human) form, I will tell you something for your good.

“Soota continued, ‘That illustrious man and the best of Brahmanas (Sahasrapat) then left his snake-body, and attained his own (human) form and original brightness.

“He (Sahasrapat) then addressed the following words to Ruru of incomparable power, ‘O you first of created beings, surely the highest Dharma of man is sparing the life of others. Therefore, a Brahmana should never take the life of any creature. A Brahmana should ever be gentle. This is the most sacred directive of the Vedas. A Brahmana should be versed in Vedas and Vedangas, and should inspire all creatures with belief in God. He should be kind to all creatures, truthful, and forgiving, as it is his most important duty to retain the Vedas in his memory. The duties of the Kshatriya are not yours. To be harsh, to wield the sceptre (Danda in Sanskrit) and to rule the subjects (citizens) properly are the duties of the Kshatriya. O Ruru, listen to the account of the destruction of snakes at the Sarpa Satra of Janamejaya in former days, and the rescue of the terrified reptiles (snakes) by that best of Dwijas – Aastika, who is learned in Vedic traditions and powerful in spiritual energy.’”