Souti Narrates the Story of Jaratkaru and Astika
The storyteller Souti begins his narration, weaving together the plight of Jaratkaru’s ancestors, his strange marriage to the snake-woman who shares his name, and the birth of Astika — the sage who would one day stand between fire and annihilation.
Souti began his narration, his voice carrying the authority of a tale heard from his father, who heard it from Vyasa.
He started with Astika’s father, the ascetic Jaratkaru — celibate, mighty, rigid in his vows. He told of Jaratkaru’s journey and the horrific discovery in the cave: ancestors hanging upside down, decaying for lack of a descendant. He recounted their conversation, Jaratkaru’s shock at being named the “unfortunate fool” causing their ruin, and his reluctant vow to marry under strict conditions.
“The Brahmana who was rigid in his vows thereafter roamed the earth in search of a wife,” Souti continued. “But he did not get a wife.”
He described the moment in the forest where Jaratkaru, remembering his ancestors, thrice begged for a woman in a faint voice. The snake-king Vasuki appeared, offering his sister. Jaratkaru’s refusal until he confirmed her name — also Jaratkaru. Vasuki’s revelation that he had protected her for this very purpose, to pacify an ancient maternal curse that doomed the snakes to a fiery sacrifice.
Souti wove the threads together: Jaratkaru accepted her, they had a great-souled son named Astika, learned and impartial. Then, after a long time, King Janamejaya of the Pandava lineage began his snake-sacrifice. “When the sacrifice for the destruction of the snakes went on, Astika, of great fame, delivered them from the curse.”
The storyteller concluded the cycle. By saving his maternal uncles, Astika also secured the deliverance of his father’s line. He himself had a son, freeing his ancestors from their debt. He pleased the gods with sacrifices, the sages with celibacy, and his ancestors with progeny. “Jaratkaru and his grandfathers went to heaven.”
Souti finished, “I have narrated the account of Astika as I heard it. O tiger of the Bhrigu lineage! Now tell me, what else should I narrate?”