Jaratkaru & Jaratkaru

Jaratkaru and his wife lived in a home maintained by Vasuki. Jaratkaru made it clear that should his wife say or do anything against his liking he would leave her. The wife agreed and began to serve her husband with complete devotion. In due course she conceived. The embryo was so resplendent that the mother herself glowed like the radiant moon.

One afternoon Jaratkaru was sleeping with his head on his wife's lap. He was tired and did not get up at his usual time. The sun was about to set and the wife faced a dilemma. If she woke her husband he would in all probability get angry, but if she let him sleep he would miss his prayer time and lose his virtue. Finally she decided that waking him would be the better course. She softly roused her husband from slumber. The disturbed sage was like a volcano about to erupt. "The sun can never set while I am asleep," he thundered. "You should have known this. You have offended me and I will leave you."

The wife pleaded, "I did not mean to offend you. Please understand." But the sage was adamant. The wife then asked, "I need to give birth to a son who will be a salvation for my race and your ancestors. Is there a son in my womb?"

"There is," replied the sage and left forever.

Soon a son was born to Jaratkaru, the sister of Vasuki. He was named Astika, which means "whoever is", because of the last words his father had uttered. Vasuki took full responsibility for the boy's upbringing. Astika was tutored by the great sage Chyavan, the son of sage Bhrigu. He grew up to be an illustrious ascetic, well versed in the scriptures, fair in his dealings and respected by his peers. The sons of Kadru watched Astika grow from strength to strength and were a relieved lot, at least those who had decided to forsake evil.

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