Section XLII

"Sauti said, 'And Sringin then replied to his father, saying,

'Whether this be an act of rashness, O father, or an improper act that I have done, whether you likest it or dislikest it, the words spoken by me shall never be in vain.

O father, I tell you (a curse) can never be otherwise. I have never spoken a lie even in jest.'

"And Samika said,

'Dear child, I know that you are of great prowess, and truthful in speech. You have never spoken falsehood before, so that your curse shall never be falsified. The son, even when he attains to age, should yet be always counselled by the father, so that crowned with good qualities he may acquire great renown. A child as you are, how much more dost you stand in need of counsel? You are ever engaged in ascetic penances. The wrath of even the illustrious ones possessing the six attributes increases greatly.

O you foremost of ordinance-observing persons, seeing that you are my son and a minor too, and beholding also your rashness, I see that I must counsel you. Live you, O son, inclined to peace and eating fruits and roots of the forest. Kill this your anger and destroy not the fruit of your ascetic acts in this way. Wrath surely decreases the virtue that ascetics acquire with great pains. And then for those deprived of virtue, the blessed state exists not.

Peacefulness ever gives success to forgiving ascetics. Therefore, becoming forgiving in your temper and conquering your passions, should you always live. By forgiveness shalt you obtain worlds that are beyond the reach of Brahman himself.

Having adopted peacefulness myself, and with a desire also for doing good as much as lies in my power, I must do something; even must I send to that king, telling him,

'O monarch, you have been cursed by my son of tender years and undeveloped intellect, in wrath, at seeing your act of disrespect towards myself.'

"Sauti continued, 'And that great ascetic, observer of vows, moved by kindness, sent with proper instructions a disciple of his to king Parikshit. And he sent his disciple Gaurmukha of good manners and engaged also in ascetic penances, instructing him to first enquire about the welfare of the king and then to communicate the real message. And that disciple soon approached that monarch, the head of the Kuru race. And he entered the king’s palace having first sent notice of his arrival through the servant in attendance at the gate.

"And the twice-born Gaurmukha was duly worshipped by the monarch. And after resting for a while, he detailed fully to the king, in the presence of his ministers, the words of Samika, of cruel import, exactly as he had been instructed.'

"And Gaurmukha said,

'O king of kings, there is a Rishi, Samika, by name, of virtuous soul, his passions under control, peaceful, and given up to hard ascetic devotions, living in your dominions! By you, O tiger among men, was placed on the shoulders of that Rishi observing at present the vow of silence, a dead snake, with the end of your bow! He himself forgave you that act. But his son could not. And by the latter hast you today been cursed, O king of kings, without the knowledge of his father, to the effect that within seven nights hence, shall (the snake) Takshaka cause your death.

And Samika repeatedly asked his son to save you, but there is none to falsify his son’s curse. And because he has been unable to pacify his son possessed by anger, therefore have I been sent to you, O king, for your good!'

"And that king of the Kuru race, himself engaged in ascetic practices, having heard these cruel words and recollecting his own sinful act, became exceedingly sorry. And the king, learning that foremost of Rishis in the forest had been observing the vow of silence, was doubly afflicted with sorrow and seeing the kindness of the Rishi Samika, and considering his own sinful act towards him, the king became very repentant.

And the king looking like a very god, did not grieve so much for hearing of his death as for having done that act to the Rishi.'

"And then the king sent away Gaurmukha, saying,

'Let the worshipful one (Samika) be gracious to me!'

And when Gaurmukha had gone away, the king, in great anxiety, without loss of time, consulted his ministers. And having consulted them, the king, himself wise in counsels, caused a mansion to be erected upon one solitary column. It was well-guarded day and night. And for its protection were placed there physicians and medicines, and Brahmanas skilled in mantras all around. And the monarch, protected on all sides, discharged his kingly duties from that place surrounded by his virtuous ministers. And no one could approach that best of kings there. The air even could not go there, being prevented from entering.

"And when the seventh day had arrived, that best of Brahmanas, the learned Kasyapa was coming (towards the king’s residence), desirous of treating the king (after the snake-bite). He had heard all that had taken place, viz., that Takshaka, that first of snakes, would send that best of monarchs to the presence of Yama (Death).

And he thought,

'I would cure the monarch after he is bit by that first of snakes. By that I may have wealth and may acquire virtue also.'

But that prince of snakes, Takshaka, in the form of an old Brahmana, saw Kasyapa approaching on his way, his heart set upon curing the king. And the prince of snakes then spake unto that bull among Munis, Kasyapa, saying,

'Whither dost you go with such speed? What, besides, is the business upon which you are intent?'

"And Kasyapa, thus addressed, replied,

'Takshaka, by his poison, will today burn king Parikshit of the Kuru race, that oppressor of all enemies. I go with speed, O amiable one, to cure, without loss of time, the king of immeasurable prowess, the sole representative of the Pandava race, after he is bit by the same Takshaka like to Agni himself in energy.'

And Takshaka answered,

'I am that Takshaka, O Brahmana, who shall burn that lord of the earth. Stop, for you are unable to cure one bit by me.'

And Kasyapa rejoined,

'I am sure that, possessed (that I am) of the power of learning, going thither I shall cure that monarch bit by you.'"