King Somaka's Sacrifice of His Son
Aranyaka Parva
Is it justifiable to sacrifice one's only son to gain more children, and what are the consequences for such an act?
King Somaka laments having only one son, Jantu, and on the advice of his preceptor, he sacrifices Jantu to obtain more sons. After the sacrifice, Somaka rescues his preceptor from hell, demonstrating the karmic consequences of their actions.
3 stories · 0 pivotal · Chapters 424–425
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Spine stories carry the arc's main thread. Essential adds key turning points. Supporting covers depth and backstory.
Supporting
King Somaka Laments Having Only One Son
King Somaka has one hundred wives but only a single son, Jantu, born after a lifetime of effort. When an ant bite makes the child cry and the entire palace erupts in lamentation, the king is forced to confront the fragility of his entire lineage — and asks his priest if there is any ceremony, good or bad, that can give him one hundred sons.
Chapter 424 · ~2 min
Supporting
Somaka Sacrifices His Son Jantu
King Somaka, desperate for a hundred sons, performs a sacrifice in which his only son Jantu is offered into the fire. The mothers of Jantu scream and try to pull him back, but the officiating priest drags the boy away and completes the rite — and the mothers, inhaling the smoke, fall down.
Chapter 425 · ~1 min
Supporting
Somaka Rescues His Preceptor from Hell
King Somaka arrives in the next world and finds his preceptor being cooked in a terrible hell. When he learns the priest suffers for a sacrifice performed on Somaka's behalf, he demands to take his place — and argues with Dharmaraja himself that their deeds are identical and their fates should be shared.
Chapter 425 · ~1 min