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**BiseCreesia** · 01-30-2008, 08:17 PM

Some of us who perform Sandhyavandanam may not be aware of this legend , about the sloka – saluting the Narmada and rembering Rishis Jarathkaro and Asthika.

It was during the time of Yagnaya by King Janamejaya. I assume you might have heard about King Parikshid after his demise by a serpent. His son, King Janamejaya did a big “Sarpa Yaga”. In this ritual spell bound by the mantras one sarpa will fall into the ritual - fire for one Svaha oblation. Like -wise many serpents have been offered. Seeing the plight of his subjects the Naga King asked the elders for solutions. Then the elders told this story of a Rishi - “Jarathkaro”.

Rishi Jarathkaro was more interested in penance than to leave a life of householder. But his parents wanted to get him married and to repay the kindness of fore-fathers. To dodge he told his parents he will marry only a woman from naga loka , and that too she should have same name like him. They reluctantly accepted.

One day he happened to visit Naga Loka, there he heard somebody called his name to his surprise a serpent girl responded to the call. On further enquiries he learned the woman name is also called “Jarathkaru” similar to his name. That reminded of his promise to his parents. So he asked the girl whether he could marry him and also set one condition that he will oblige to her wishes till a son was born after which he will not tolerate any difference of opinion that may arise after and he would leave at once. She agreed to that.

The son born to them was named “Asthika” and true to his word one day because of difference of opinion he left household for penance leaving his son under the care of his serpent wife.

The Naga King requested “Asthika” to ask the King Janmeja to stop the yagya and protect the serpents. Asthika went to the King and asked to stop the Yagya assuring that serpents will not bite and will leave the place habituted by people to distant places. The serpent king and the serpents also obliged to keep the promise by hitting there heads on the ground three times.

By reciting this sloka we are reminded of the Rishi- Asthika's and the serpent's promise that serpents and other poisonous insects will not attack the humans without provocation. In this particular prayer we seek protection form poisonous bites to the deity Narmada.

Courtesy – My Father in Law.

01-30-2008, 08:17 PM	#1
BiseCreesia Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 467 Senior Member	Another Interesting Legend..... Some of us who perform Sandhyavandanam may not be aware of this legend , about the sloka – saluting the Narmada and rembering Rishis Jarathkaro and Asthika. It was during the time of Yagnaya by King Janamejaya. I assume you might have heard about King Parikshid after his demise by a serpent. His son, King Janamejaya did a big “Sarpa Yaga”. In this ritual spell bound by the mantras one sarpa will fall into the ritual - fire for one Svaha oblation. Like -wise many serpents have been offered. Seeing the plight of his subjects the Naga King asked the elders for solutions. Then the elders told this story of a Rishi - “Jarathkaro”. Rishi Jarathkaro was more interested in penance than to leave a life of householder. But his parents wanted to get him married and to repay the kindness of fore-fathers. To dodge he told his parents he will marry only a woman from naga loka , and that too she should have same name like him. They reluctantly accepted. One day he happened to visit Naga Loka, there he heard somebody called his name to his surprise a serpent girl responded to the call. On further enquiries he learned the woman name is also called “Jarathkaru” similar to his name. That reminded of his promise to his parents. So he asked the girl whether he could marry him and also set one condition that he will oblige to her wishes till a son was born after which he will not tolerate any difference of opinion that may arise after and he would leave at once. She agreed to that. The son born to them was named “Asthika” and true to his word one day because of difference of opinion he left household for penance leaving his son under the care of his serpent wife. The Naga King requested “Asthika” to ask the King Janmeja to stop the yagya and protect the serpents. Asthika went to the King and asked to stop the Yagya assuring that serpents will not bite and will leave the place habituted by people to distant places. The serpent king and the serpents also obliged to keep the promise by hitting there heads on the ground three times. By reciting this sloka we are reminded of the Rishi- Asthika's and the serpent's promise that serpents and other poisonous insects will not attack the humans without provocation. In this particular prayer we seek protection form poisonous bites to the deity Narmada. Courtesy – My Father in Law.
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