By “Soota said, ‘Jaratkaaru, hearing all this, became excessively dejected. From sorrow he spoke to those Pitris in words obstructed by tears.
“Jaratkaaru said, ‘You are my fathers and grand-fathers gone before. Therefore, tell me what I must do for your welfare. I am that sinful son of yours, Jaratkaaru! Punish me for my sinful actions, a wretch that I am.’
“The Pitrus replied, saying, ‘O son, by good luck you have arrived at this spot in course of your walk. O Brahmana, why have you not taken a wife?’
“Jaratkaaru said, ‘O Pitrus, this desire has always existed in my heart that I would, with vital seed drawn up (i.e. by controlling the men reproductive seed), carry this body to the other world. My mind has been possessed with the idea that I would not take a wife. But O Pitaamaha, having seen you hanging like birds, I have diverted my mind from the Brahmacharya mode of life. I will truly do what you like. I will certainly marry, if ever I meet with a lady of my own name. I shall accept her who, giving herself of her own will, will be as alms (Bhiksha in Sanskrit) to me, and whom I shall not have to maintain. I shall marry if I get such a one; otherwise, I shall not. This is the truth, O Pitaamaha! The offspring that will be begot upon her shall be your (ancestors’) salvation (Moksha in Sanskrit). O Pitris (ancestors) of mine, you shall live for ever in blessedness and without fear.’
“Soota continued, ‘The Muni (Jaratkaaru), having said so to the Pitrus, roamed over the earth again. O (Rishi) Shaunaka, being old, he (Jaratkaaru) obtained no wife. He grieved much that he was not successful. But directed (as before) by his ancestors, he continued the search (for wife). Going into the forest, he wept loudly in great grief. Having gone into the forest, the wise one, moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, ‘I will ask for a bride,’ distinctly repeating these words thrice. He said, ‘Whatever creatures are here, mobile and immobile, so whoever there be that are invisible, O, hear my words! My ancestors, pained with grief, have directed me that am engaged in the most severe penances, saying, ‘You marry for (the acquisition of) a child.’ O you, being directed by my ancestors, I am roaming in poverty and sorrow, over the wide world for wedding a lady that I may obtain as alms (Bhiksha in Sanskrit). Let that creature, among those I have addressed, who has a daughter, give to me that am roaming far and near. Such a bride as is of same name with me, to be given on me as Bhiksha, and whom, besides, I shall not maintain (I shall not maintain the wife I get), O provide on me!’
“Then those snakes that had been set upon (Rishi) Jaratkaaru track, ascertaining his inclination, gave information to Vaasuki. The king of the snakes (Vaasuki), hearing their words, took with him that lady (Vaasuki’s sister Jaratkaaru) decked with ornaments, and went into the forest to that Rishi (Jaratkaaru). O Brahmana (Rishi Shaunaka), Vaasuki, the king of the snakes, having gone there, offered that lady (Vaasuki’s sister Jaratkaaru) as Bhiksha to that high-souled Rishi. But the Rishi (Jaratkaaru) did not at once accept her. The Rishi, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and seeing that the question of her maintenance also was unsettled, thought for a few moments, hesitating to accept her. Then, O descendant of Bhrigu (Rishi Shaunaka), he asked Vaasuki the women’s name, and also said to him, ‘I shall not maintain her.’”
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA – AADI PARVA – AASTIKA (UPA) PARVA – CHAPTER 46 – JARATKAARU’S BHIKSHA
