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Astika (mythology)

The snake sacrifice of Janamejaya, as Astika (boy in red) stops the king

Astika in Hindu mythology was an illustrious Brahmin, a learned ascetic well versed in Vedic scriptures (taught by Lord Shiva) who rescued the serpent race from the sacrificial fire of the Sarpa Satra Yagna performed by the King Janamejaya. He was the son of sage Jaratkaru and his serpent wife was also known by the same name. Jaratkaru later came to be worshiped as goddess Manasa - a sister of the great serpent king Vasuki. According to the Mahabharata, Astika saved the life of a serpent named Takshaka when king Janamejaya during the Sarpa Satra yagna (fire sacrifice) made his great sacrifice of serpents to avenge for his father Pariskhit's death. Ultimately, Astika persuaded and prevailed upon the king to stop the Sarpa Satra Yagna and end the persecution of the serpent race.

Legend

According to Devi Bhagavata, Astika was born the son of sage Jaratkaru and Jaratkaru also known as Manasa Devi. Manasa Devi was created by the Brahmin sage Kasyapa Prajapati using mantras suggested by Brahma in order to find a solution to the menace created in the world by snakes/serpents. Sage Kashyapa had married a snake called Kadru and the daughter born to them was known as Jaratkaru. Since she was created by the brain power of Kashayapa, she was called Mansadevi. Jaratkaru or Manasa Devi is a wish fulfilling goddess. Kadru was the sister of Vasuki, the king of snakes. She is depicted as one eyed and also with her son Astika seated on her lap. She was a princess and sister of King Vasuki. She was married to Jagatkaru a Brahmin. Their son was Astika Frustrated in his marital life Jagakaru left his wife and went away to the forest to do penance.

A son was born to Jaratkaru after her husband had left her under the care of her brother and other snake relatives, whom they named Astika, meaning “whoever is” as his father Jaratkaru had uttered “There is” when he was in his mother’s womb. Astika right from the young age showed celestial features. He was brought in the house of Vasuki, his uncle. He became proficient in Vedic scriptures, taught by sage Chyavana son Maharishi Bhrigu. He was rigid in his habits without any indulgences and saintly.

Elapatra tells Vasuki that the snake sacrifice being held by Janamejaya was is ordained by gods to eliminate the evil snakes which had multiplied in number and by their unchecked biting and killing of people were the cause of misery to people in the world.

Astika became a great ascetic and renowned exponent of Vedas. Astika, later in his life with his intervention at the Sarapa Satra yagna performed by emperor Janamejya of the Kuru empire brought about peace between the Nagas and the emperor. This yagna was performed by Janamejaya to avenge his father's death. Many famous saints and priests, well versed in the Vedic scriptures, had gathered for the yagna. The sacrificial fire was lighted and with the chant of the hymns, snakes started falling into the fire.

Snake sacrifice

File:Astika stops Takshaka from falling into Fire.jpg

Astika requesting Janamejya to stop the snake sacrifice

Janamejeya decided to perform the snake sacrifice to destroy not only takshaka but the entire race of snakes. The Ritwiks, told him that such a sacrifice also finds mention in Puranic literature. Then preparations were made to hold this sacrifice and a land was chosen for this purpose. A platform was constructed at the site as per Vedic injunctions in consultation with the learned Brahmanas. However, there was one disturbing comment made by the builder of the platform, a suta, who said that the site chosen is not suitable and that the sacrifice would be left incomplete. Janamajeya disturbed by this prediction set up a strong security around the sacred platform and posted guards to prevent any outsiders from entering the premises if the Yagna.

The snake sacrifice was started by pouring clarified butter into the fire in the presence of Janamajeya by the Rithwicks, great saints and priests chanting appropriate hymns, snakes of all sizes a started falling into the agni (fire). Takshaka the main snake intended for the sacrifice, had taken shelter under Indra. However, Vasuki the king of snakes was perturbed by the development noting that his family of sankes was getting reduced drastically, leaving only a few and feared that he himself may be drawn into the fire. He appealed to his sister Jaratkaru for the help of her son Astika who was born to help stop the sacrifice. Jaratkaru appealed to her son for help and as he wanted to know the background to the problem, she narrated to him from the time of the curse of Kadru, her marriage to Jaratkaru and the son born to them would relieve them of the curse of Kadru. Astika then promised that he will help to stop the snake sacrifice and then proceed towards the place where the fire sacrifice was being held. He persuaded the gate keepers to allow him to enter the premises of Yagna where the king, Ritwiks, the Sadasyas were engaged in the grand Yagna sacrifice. On entering the place of the yagna platform he offered greeting to janamejaya and extolled his virtues and achivements in glorious terms. He also extolled the Ritwiks and Sadasyas who were involved in performing the sacrifice. Janamejaya was pleased with the way the young Astika addressed him and assembled sages and ritwicks asked him to seek a boon which he would definitely honour since he was a Brahmin. The Sadasyas aslo recommended that the young boy should be respected by the King and bestowed with boons; but the boon should be given only after Takshaka, the enemy of the king is dragged into the fire. The ritwicks were aksed to intensify their chanting and fire offerings to draw takashaka to the fire. The Rotwick told Janamajeya that Takshka was given shelter by Indra which was also confirmed by Astika.The King ordered that Indra be dragged into the fire along with Takshaka. And the hotris (presits intemsified their hynal chantings and libations (fire offerings). Indra was dragged toward the fire and Takshaka was hiding in Indra’s upper garment. As soon as Inndra swa the fire sacrifice he h got sacred and fled from the scene leaving takshaka in mid air getting dragged towards the fire. When the hotirs performing the Yagna saw Takshaka just above the fire they told Janamejaya to grant the promised boon to Astika. Then urged by Janamejya, Astika asked the king to stop the fire sacrifice and that no more snakes should perish in the fire. Janamejaya appealed to Astika that he would give him all riches of gold, and other metals but he should allow the fire sacrifice to continue. He did not relent and the Sadasyas assembled asked Janameyja to grant Astika, the boon.The number of snakes that fell into the fire were countless of all shapes and sizes and belonged to many races; Takshaka’s children was all consumed to the fire. As the fires sacrifice was in progress Takshsaka was held in mid air because Astika had said “ 'Stay,' 'Stay,' 'Stay'” and his command was more powerful than then mantras uttered by the Hotris. The Sadasyas than repeatedly urged Janamejya to stop the yagna. Finally Janamejaya agreed to stop the sacrifice. Thus Astika was successful in saving the life of Takshaka and the remaining serpent race. Janamejaya was extremely pleased with Astika and wished him well as he retuned home. He told Astika to join hin as Sadasya and participate in the great Horse-sacrifice which he proposed to hold. Janamejaya who felt happy with the outcome of the fire sacrifice rewarded the Ritwiks, the Sadasyas, Suta Lohitaksha who had predicted about the stoppage of the yagna, and also all those who participated in the yagna.

References

Bibliography

• Pillai, Govinda Krishna (1960). Traditional History of India: (a Digest). Kitab Mahal.
• Swami, Bhaktivejanyana (28 January 2013). Ithihaasa: The Mystery of His Story Is My Story of History. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4772-4273-5.
• Taraphadāra, Mamatājura Rahamāna; Dhaka, University of (1999). Husain Shahi Bengal, 1494-1538 A.D.: A Socio-political Study. University of Dhaka.