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.
पूर्वं मधुरमश्नीयात्स्वेच्छया तदनंत रम्
First, let him eat something sweet as he wishes, and then enjoy endlessly.
मृतो नागपुरं याति पूज्यमानोऽप्सरोगणैः
When he dies, he goes to the city of serpents, honored by hosts of apsarases.
इह चागत्य राजासौ सर्वराजवरो भवेत्
Having come here, that king becomes the foremost among all kings.
पञ्चजन्मन्यसौ राजा द्वापरेद्वापरे भवेत् तस्मात्पूज्याश्च नागाश्च घृतक्षीरादिना सदा
In five births, that one will be a king in each Dvapara age; therefore, serpents are always to be honored with ghee, milk, and the like.
भवेत्किं तस्य दष्टस्य विस्तराद्ब्रूहि मां हरे
What becomes of one who has been bitten? Tell me in detail, O Hari.
अधो गत्वा भवेत्सर्पो निर्विषो नात्र संशयः
Having gone below, he becomes a serpent without venom—of this there is no doubt.
स्वसा वा दुहिता भार्या किं कर्तव्यं वदस्व मे
If it is a sister, daughter, or wife—what should be done? Tell me.
मोक्षाय तस्य गोविन्द दानं व्रतमुपोषितम्
For his liberation, O Govinda, charity and the observance of a vow are to be performed.
वर्षमेकं तु राजेन्द्र विधानं शृणु यादृशम् ।। 4.36.
O king of kings, listen to the procedure to be followed for one year.
मासे भाद्रपदे या तु शुक्लपक्षे महीपते
In the month of Bhādrapada, during the bright fortnight, O ruler of the earth,