अव्ययस्याप्रमेयस्य सत्यस्य च तथाग्रतः। शप्ता इत्येव मे श्रुत्वा जायते हृदि वेपथुः
Having heard that even the eternal, immeasurable, and truthful ones have been cursed, trembling arises in my heart.
नूनं सर्वविनाशोऽयमस्माकं समुपागतः। `शापः सृष्टो महाघोरो मात्रा खल्वविनीतया। न ह्येतां सोऽव्ययो देवः शपत्नीं प्रत्यषेधयत्
Surely, total destruction has come upon us; a terrible curse has been cast by our unruly mother. For even the eternal god did not restrain her from cursing.
तस्मात्संमन्त्रयामोऽद्य भुजङ्गानामनामयम्। यथा भवेद्धि सर्वेषां मा नः कालोऽत्यगादयम्
Therefore, let us today consult for the welfare of the serpents, so that all may be well and time may not pass us by.
सर्व एव हि नस्तावद्बुद्धिमन्तो विचक्षणाः। अपि मन्त्रयमाणा हि हेतुं पश्याम मोक्षणे
All of us are intelligent and discerning; even as we deliberate, let us seek a means for release.
यथा नष्टं पुरा देवा गूढमग्निं गुहागतम्। यथा स यज्ञो न भवेद्यथा वाऽपि पराभवः। जनमेजयस्य सर्पाणां विनाशकरणाय वै
Just as the gods once lost the hidden fire concealed in the cave, so the sacrifice may not occur, or defeat may happen, for Janamejaya, to bring about the destruction of the serpents.
तथेत्युक्त्वा ततः सर्वे काद्रवेयाः समागताः। समयं चकिरे तत्र मन्त्रबुद्धिविशारदाः
Having said 'so be it,' all the descendants of Kadru assembled there, and made an agreement, skilled in counsel and wisdom.
एके तत्राब्रुवन्नागा वयं भूत्वा द्विजर्षभाः। जनमेजयं तु भिक्षामो यज्ञस्ते न भवेदिति
Some serpents there said, 'Let us become eminent Brahmins and beg Janamejaya so that his sacrifice may not take place.'
अपरे त्वब्रुवन्नागास्तत्र पण्डितमानिनः। मन्त्रिणोऽस्य वयं सर्वे भविष्यामः सुसंमताः
Others, considering themselves wise, said, 'We shall all become his counselors, well-accepted.'
स नः प्रक्ष्यति सर्वेषु कार्येष्वर्थविनिश्चयम्। तत्र बुद्धिं प्रदास्यामो यथा यज्ञो निवर्त्स्यति
He will ask us for a decision in all matters; there we shall give advice so that the sacrifice will be stopped.
स नो बहुमतान्राजा बुद्ध्या बुद्धिमतां वरः। यज्ञार्थं प्रक्ष्यति व्यक्तं नेति वक्ष्यामहे वयम्
That king, who values us highly and is foremost among the wise, will ask us openly about the sacrifice; we shall say 'no.'
दर्शयन्तो बहून्दोषान्प्रेत्य चेह च दारुणान्। हेतुभिः कारणैश्चैव यथा यज्ञो भवेन्न सः
Pointing out many severe faults, both here and after death, with reasons and causes, we shall ensure that the sacrifice does not happen.
अथवा य उपाध्यायः क्रतोस्तस्य भविष्यति। सर्पसत्रविधानज्ञो राजकार्यहिते रतः
Or, if there is a teacher who will conduct the sacrifice, skilled in serpent-sacrifice rites and devoted to the king's welfare,
तं गत्वा दशतां कश्चिद्भुजङ्गः स मरिष्यति। तस्मिन्मृते यज्ञकारे क्रतुः स न भविष्यति
Let one serpent go and bite him; that serpent will die, and with his death, the sacrifice will not be performed.
ये चान्ये सर्पसत्रज्ञा भविष्यन्त्यस्य चर्त्विजः। तांश्च सर्वान्दशिष्यामः कृतमेवं भविष्यति
And any others who are knowledgeable in serpent-sacrifice and will serve as priests, we shall bite them all; thus it will be accomplished.
अपरे त्वब्रुवन्नागा धर्मात्मानो दयालवः। अबुद्धिरेषा भवतां ब्रह्महत्या न शोभनम्
Others, virtuous and compassionate serpents, said, 'This is ignorance among you; killing Brahmins is not proper.'
सम्यक्सद्धर्ममूला वै व्यसने शान्तिरुत्तमा। अधर्मोत्तरता नाम कृत्स्नं व्यापादयेज्जगत्
Indeed, the highest peace in adversity is rooted in true dharma; acting contrary to dharma would destroy the whole world.
अपरे त्वब्रुवन्नागाः समिद्धं जातवेदसम्। वर्षैर्निर्वापयिष्यामो मेघा भूत्वा सविद्युतः
Others among the serpents said: We will extinguish the blazing sacrificial fire by becoming clouds with lightning and pouring rain upon it.
स्रुग्भाण्डं निशि गत्वा च अपरे भुजगोत्तमाः। प्रमत्तानां हरन्त्वाशु विघ्न एवं भविष्यति
Some other distinguished serpents said: By going at night to the vessels and ladles, we will swiftly steal them while the people are careless; thus, the sacrifice will be obstructed.
यज्ञे वा भुजगास्तस्मिञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। जनान्दशन्तु वै सर्वे नैवं त्रासो भविष्यति
Or, during the sacrifice, let the serpents bite the people by the hundreds and thousands; then there will be no fear for us.
अथवा संस्कृतं भोज्यं दूषयन्तु भुजङ्गमाः। स्वेन मूत्रपुरीषेण सर्वभोज्यविनाशिना
Alternatively, let the serpents defile the prepared food with their own urine and excrement, destroying all the offerings.
अपरे त्वब्रुवंस्तत्र ऋत्विजोऽस्य भवामहे। यज्ञविघ्नं करिष्यामो दक्षिणा दीयतामिति
Others said there: Let us become the officiating priests for him; we will create an obstacle to the sacrifice, and demand the sacrificial gifts.
वश्यतां च गतोऽसौ नः करिष्यति यथेप्सितम्। अपरे त्वब्रुवंस्तत्र जले प्रक्रीडितं नृपम्
He has come under our control and will do as we wish; others said there: Let us bring the king from the water where he plays.
गृहमानीय बध्नीमः क्रतुरेवं भवेन्न सः। अपरे त्वब्रुवंस्तत्र नागाः पण्डितमानिनः
Let us bring him to the house and bind him; thus, the sacrifice will not occur.
दशामस्तं प्रगृह्याशु कृतपेवं भविष्यति। छिन्नं मूलमनर्थानां मृते तस्मिन्भविष्यति
Other serpents there, who considered themselves wise, said: Let us quickly seize him and bite him; thus, the root of our troubles will be cut off when he dies.
एषा नो नैष्ठिकी बुद्धिः सर्वेषामीक्षणश्रवः। अथ यन्मन्यसे राजन्द्रुतं तत्संविधीयताम्
This is our final decision, after considering and hearing all; now, O king, whatever you think should be done, let it be arranged swiftly.
इत्युक्त्वा समुदैक्षन्त वासुकिं पन्नगोत्तमम्। वासुकिश्चापि संचिन्त्य तानुवाच भुजङ्गमान्
Having spoken thus, they all looked at Vasuki, the chief of serpents; and Vasuki, reflecting, addressed the serpents.
नैषा वो नैष्ठिकी बुद्धिर्मता कर्तुं भुजङ्गमाः। सर्वेषामेव मे बुद्धिः पन्नगानां न रोचते
This is not the final decision I approve for you, serpents; the plan of all the serpents does not please me.
किं तत्र संविधातव्यं भवतां स्याद्धितं तु यत्। श्रेयः प्रसादनं मन्ये कश्यपश्य महात्मनः
What should be arranged here that would be for your benefit? I think it is best to win the favor of the great-souled Kasyapa.
ज्ञातिवर्गस्य सौहार्दादात्मनश्च भुजङ्गमाः। न च जानाति मे बुद्धिः किंचित्कर्तुं वचो हिवः
Out of friendship for our kin and for ourselves, O serpents, my mind does not know what to do, nor do I accept your words.
मया हीदं विधातव्यं भवतां यद्धितं भवेत्। अनेनाहं भृशं तप्ये गुणदोषौ मदाश्रयौ
I must arrange whatever would be for your welfare; I am greatly troubled by the virtues and faults that depend on me.