वासुकिस्तक्षकश्चैव कालिको माणिभद्रकः एते प्रयच्छंत्यभयं प्राणिनां प्राणजीविनाम्
Vasuki, Takshaka, Kalika, and Manibhadra—these bestow fearlessness upon living beings who possess life.
पञ्चम्यां स्नपयंतीह नागान्क्षी रेण ये नराः
On the fifth day, those people who bathe the serpents here with milk—
शप्ता नागा यदा मात्रा दह्यमाना दिवानिशम्
When the serpents, cursed by their mother, were burning day and night—
कथं वा तस्य शापस्य विनाशोऽ भूज्जनार्दन
How did the destruction of that curse come about, O Janardana?
तं दृष्ट्वा चाब्रवीत्कद्रूर्नागानां जननी स्वसाम्
Seeing that, Kadru, the mother of the serpents, spoke to her sister—
अश्वरत्नमिदं श्वेतं पश्यपश्यामृतोद्भवम्
‘Behold this white, jewel-like horse, born from nectar; look, look!’
कथं त्वं वीक्षसे कृष्णं विनतोवाच तां स्वसाम्
Vinatā said to her sister, ‘How do you see it as black?’
वीक्षेऽहमेकनयना कृष्णबाल समन्वितम्
‘I see it with one eye, endowed with a black tail.’
न चेद्दर्शयसे कद्रु मम दासी भविष्यसि ।। 4.36.
‘If you do not show it thus, Kadru, you shall become my slave.’
एवं ते विपणं कृत्वा गते क्रोधसमन्विते
Having made such a wager, they departed, filled with anger.
आहूय पुत्रान् प्रोवाच बाला भूत्वा हयोत्तमे
Summoning her sons, she said, ‘Become children and go to the best horse.’
प्रोचुस्ते जिह्मबुद्धिं तां नागाः कद्रूं विगृह्य च अशपद्रुषिता कद्रूः पावको वः प्रधक्ष्यति
The serpents, having wicked intent, obeyed Kadru and, being enraged, Kadru cursed them: ‘Agni will burn you.’
गते बहुतिथे काले पांडवो जनमेजयः
After much time had passed, Pandava Janamejaya—
तस्मिन्सत्रे च तिग्मांशुः पावको भक्षयिष्यति
In that sacrifice, the blazing fire will consume you.
मात्रा शप्तस्तदा नागः कर्तव्यं नान्वपद्यत
Then, when cursed by his mother, the serpent did not act as he ought.
वासुकिं दुःखितं दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मा प्रोवाच सांत्वयन्
Seeing Vāsuki distressed, Brahmā spoke to him, offering comfort.
यायावरकुले जातो जरत्कारुरिति द्विजः
A brāhmaṇa named Jaratkāru will be born in the family of wanderers.
भगिनीं च जरत्कारुं तस्य त्वं प्रतिदास्यसि
And you shall give your sister Jaratkāru to him.
स तत्सत्रं प्रवृद्धं वै नागानां भयदं महत् 4.36.
That great sacrificial session, terrifying to the serpents, had grown intense.
तदियं भगिनी नाग रूपौदार्यगुणान्विता
His sister among the serpents was endowed with beauty, generosity, and noble qualities.
यदासौ प्रार्थ्यतेऽरण्ये यत्किञ्चित्प्रवदिष्यति
Whenever he is sought in the forest, whatever he says must be spoken.
पितामहवचः श्रुत्वा वासुकिं प्रणिपत्य च
Hearing the words of the grandsire, and bowing to Vāsuki,
तच्छ्रुत्वा पन्नगाः सर्वे प्रहर्षोत्फुल्ललोचनाः
Upon hearing this, all the serpents had eyes wide with joy.
अप्लवे तु निमग्नानां घोरे यज्ञाग्निसागरे
Those who were submerged in the dreadful ocean of sacrificial fire,
श्रुत्वा स चाग्निराजानमृत्विजस्तदनंतरम्
Hearing this, the king of fire and the priests then—
पञ्चम्यां तच्च भविता ब्रह्मा प्रोवाच लेलिहान्
On the fifth day, that will come to pass, said Brahmā, licking his lips.
नागानां हर्षजननी दत्ता वै ब्रह्मणा पुरा
Long ago, Brahmā gave a boon that brings joy to the serpents.
विसृज्य नागाः प्रीयंतां ये केचित्पृथिवीतले ये नदीषु महानागा ये सरःस्वभिगामिनः
Let the serpents depart in peace—those upon the earth, those great serpents in the rivers, and those who go into the lakes.
ये वापीषु तडागेषु तेषु सर्वेषु वै नमः ।।4.36.
And those in wells and ponds—homage to all of them.
नागान्विप्रांश्च संपूज्य विसृज्य च यथार्थतः
Having honored the serpents and the brāhmaṇas, let them be released as is proper.