Traditional
81-563: According to legend, Sarpa Satra or Snake sacrifice was a yagna performed by King Janamejaya of the Kuru Kingdom who had ascended to the throne of Hastinapura upon the death of his father Parikshit . The legend states that Parikshit, the lone descendant of the House of Pandu , son of Abhimanyu and grand son of Arjuna of the Mahabharata fame, had died of snakebite. He had been cursed by
162-514: A helipad on the premises. Jambudweep , depicting a model of Jain cosmology , was designed here under the supervision of Shri Gyanmati Mataji in 1985. Situated in the historic location of the ancient city of Hastinapur, the Pandeshwar temple is dedicated to Shiva . This temple is believed to be the place where Kauravas and Pandavas received their education in Vedas and Puranas . A temple of
243-446: A Vedic sacrifice Yajña, sacrifice, is an act by which we surrender something for the sake of the gods. Such an act must rest on a sacred authority ( āgama ), and serve for man's salvation ( śreyortha ). The nature of the gift is of less importance. It may be cake (puroḍāśa), pulse ( karu ), mixed milk ( sāṃnāyya ), an animal ( paśu ), the juice of soma-plant (soma), etc; nay, the smallest offerings of butter, flour, and milk may serve for
324-402: A bet against her sister and cowife Vinata . Then her sons led by Vasuki held deliberations on the way to stop the snake sacrifice or Sarpa Satra yagna that may be initiated by Janamejaya to kill the race. Takshaka was also one of Kadru's sons who had opposed his mother's request. He had been thrown out of the house by his mother. He then moved out to form his own band of snakes. Elapatra who
405-498: A father who could offer his daughter whom he could marry. Vasuki, who was waiting to hear such an utterance from Jaratkaru, was informed of the pleading of Jaratkaru. Vasuki then came forward and offered his sister named Manasa (also called by the name Jaratkaru in some texts) to Jaratkaru to marry. Vasuki also promised the sage that he would maintain his sister for all time as he had brought her up only to marry him. Hearing this Jaratkaru agreed to marry Vasuki's sister and moved to stay in
486-595: A hundredfold like the fruit of Sinsa tree". Janamejaya who felt happy with the outcome of the snake 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. After the yagna was stopped Vaishampayana who was sitting beside Vedavyasa , the author of Mahabharata, started narrating the epic story of Mahabharata to Janamejaya, where Astika and other Brahmins had also assembled at
567-608: A sacred fire, sometimes with feasts and community events. It has, states Nigal, a threefold meaning of worship of the deities ( devapujana ), unity ( sangatikarana ) and charity ( dána ). The Sanskrit word is related to the Avestan term yasna of Zoroastrianism . Unlike the Vedic yajna , however, the Yasna is the name of a specific religious service, not a class of rituals, and they have "to do with water rather than fire". The Sanskrit word
648-479: A sage to die so, the curse having been consummated by the serpent-chieftain Takshaka . Janamejaya bore a deep grudge against the serpents for this act, and thus decided to wipe them out altogether. He attempted this by performing a great Sarpa Satra – a sacrifice that would destroy all living serpents. At that time, a learned sage named Astika , a boy in age, came and intervened to stop the yagna; Astika's mother manasa
729-482: A strong security around the sacred platform and posted guards to prevent any outsiders from entering the premises of the yagna. As the snake sacrifice was begun by pouring clarified butter into the fire, in the presence of Janamejaya, by the Rithwicks, great saints and priests chanting appropriate hymns, snakes of all sizes and shapes started falling into the agni (fire). Takshaka, the main snake intended to be killed by
810-523: A symbol of their impending marital union, and the groom announcing his acceptance of responsibility to four deities: Bhaga signifying wealth, Aryama signifying heavens/milky way, Savita signifying radiance/new beginning, and Purandhi signifying wisdom. The groom faces west, while the bride sits in front of him with her face to the east, he holds her hand while the Rig vedic mantra is recited in the presence of fire. The Saptapadi (Sanskrit for seven steps/feet ),
891-627: A wide area, encompassing the districts of Meerut , Ghaziabad , Gautam Budh Nagar , Bijnor , Hapur , and Jyotiba Phule Nagar in Uttar Pradesh . It is a sprawling forest, occupying an area of nearly 2,073 square kilometres (800 sq mi). Various cultural events and religious celebrations are held in Hastinapur annually, including Akshaya Tritiya , Das Lakshana , Kartik Mela , Holi Mela , and Durga Puja . These festivals, among others, are organized by non-government organizations (NGOs) and
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#1732859576687972-791: Is a city in the Meerut district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh . Hastinapura is described as the capital of the Kuru Kingdom in Hindu texts such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas ; it is also mentioned in ancient Jain texts . Hastinapur is located on the right bank of the Ganga river. In Sanskrit , Hastinapura translates to 'the City of Elephants' from Hastina (elephant) and pura (city). Its history dates back to
1053-460: Is a small township re-established by Jawaharlal Nehru on February 6, 1949, located at 29°10′N 78°01′E / 29.17°N 78.02°E / 29.17; 78.02 . With an average elevation of 218 metres (715 ft), Hastinapur experiences temperatures ranging from 5 to 40 °C (41 to 104 °F). Summer season is from March to May, during which the temperatures range from 32 to 40 °C (90 to 104 °F). The monsoon season
1134-488: Is commonly called Yajna is really the chaste life of the student of sacred knowledge, for only through the chaste life of a student does he who is a knower find that, What is commonly called Istam (sacrificial offering) is really the chaste life of the student of sacred knowledge, for only having searched with chaste life of a student does one find Atman (Soul, Self) || 1 || — Chandogya Upanishad 8.5.1 The later Vedic Upanishads expand
1215-413: Is fire. Agni and yajna play a central role in Hindu weddings . A typical Hindu marriage involves a Yajna, with Agni being considered the witness of the marriage. Various mutual promises between the bride and groom are made in front of the fire, and the marriage is completed by an actual or symbolic walk around the fire. The wedding ritual of Panigrahana , for example, is the 'holding the hand' ritual as
1296-470: Is from July to September, during which the temperature is relatively low. Winter lasts from December to February, with December usually being the coldest month of the year. During this time, temperatures can drop to around 5 °C (41 °F) and don't usually go above 14 °C (57 °F). According to the 2011 Census of India , Hastinapur Nagar Panchayat had a population of 26,452, of which 14,010 are males while 12,442 are females. The literacy rate of
1377-467: Is further related to Ancient Greek ἅζομαι (házomai), "to revere", deriving from the Proto-Indo-European root *Hyeh₂ǵ- ("to worship"). Yajna has been a part of an individual or social ritual since Vedic times . When the ritual fire – the divine Agni , the god of fire and the messenger of gods – was deployed in a Yajna, mantras were chanted. The hymns and songs sung and oblations offered into
1458-528: Is one of the oldest Jain temples in Hastinapur. The main temple is believed to have been built in 1801 under the aegis of Raja Harsukh Rai , who was the imperial treasurer of Emperor Shah Alam II . The temple has many other facilities, including, police station , Digamber Jain Gurukul , and a Udaseen Ashram . Several tourist attractions including Jal Mandir, Jain Library, Acharya Vidyanand Museum, 24 Tonks, and
1539-672: Is the Brahmin of sacrifice" and the goal of sacrifice was complete release and liberation ( moksha ). The blessings offered ranged from long life, gaining friends, health and heaven, more prosperity, to better crops. For example, May my rice plants and my barley, and my beans and my sesame , and my kidney-beans and my vetches, and my pearl millet and my proso millet , and my sorghum and my wild rice, and my wheat and my lentils , prosper by sacrifice ( Yajna ). Yajnas, where milk products, fruits, flowers, cloth and money are offered, are called homa or havan . Kalpa Sutras list
1620-501: Is the most important ritual in Hindu weddings, and represents the legal part of Hindu marriage. The couple getting married walks around the Holy Fire ( Agni ), and the yajna fire is considered a witness to the vows they make to each other. In some regions, a piece of clothing or sashes worn by the bride and groom are tied together for this ceremony. Each circuit around the fire is led by either
1701-673: The Taittiriya Shakha 2.10 of the Krishna Yajurveda ). Tadeusz Skorupski states that these sacrifices were a part of ritual way of life, and considered to have inherent efficacy, where doing these sacrifices yielded repayment and results without the priests or gods getting involved. These Vedic ideas, adds Skorupski, influenced "the formulation of Buddhist theory of generosity". Buddhist ideas went further, criticizing "the Brahmins for their decadence and failure to live in conformity with
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#17328595766871782-674: The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (~800 BCE), Chandogya Upanishad , Kaushitaki Upanishad and Pranagnihotra Upanishad . The Vedic text Satapatha Brahmana defines a sacrifice as an act of abandonment of something one holds of value, such as oblations offered to god and dakshina (fees, gifts) offered during the yajna. For gifts and fees, the text recommends giving cows , clothing, horses or gold. The oblations recommended are cow milk, ghee (clarified butter), seeds, grains, flowers, water and food cakes (rice cake, for example). Similar recommendations are repeated in other texts, such as in
1863-519: The Puranas presents the city as the capital of Emperor Bharata's kingdom. Excavations at Hastinapur were carried out in the early 1950s by B. B. Lal , Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India . Although the main aim of this excavation, according to Lal himself, was to determine the stratigraphic position of Painted Grey Ware concerning other known ceramic industries of the early historical period, Lal found correlations between
1944-516: The Brahmanic legacy of the ancient Brahmins", who claimed the Vedic ancients "lived in self restraint, were ascetics, had no cattle, no gold, and no wealth". The Buddha sought return to more ancient values, states Tadeusz Skorupski, where the Vedic sages "had study as their grain and wealth, guarded the holy life as their treasure, praised morality, austerity and nonviolence; they performed sacrifices consisting of rice, barley and oil, but they did not kill
2025-458: The Brahmins. As he drew the thunderbolt Takshaka who was hiding behind Indra was exposed. Fearing for his life Indra then fled from the scene of the yagna. When the Hotris performing the yagna saw Takshaka hanging just above the fire they told Janamejaya to grant the promised boon to Astika. Then urged by Janamejaya, Astika asked the king to stop the fire sacrifice and that no more snakes should perish in
2106-522: The Hindu goddess Kali and many Hindu ashramas are also present on a hillock between the ruins. Legend has it that in the Mahabharata period, Pandu's eldest son Yudhishthira had established the shivalinga at the Pandeshwar Mahadev temple before the war of Mahabharata and prayed to Shiva for a blessing of winning the war. The Karna Temple is located near the Pandeshwar temple on an old ravine along
2187-594: The Sanskrit yaj meaning 'to worship, adore, honour, revere' and appears in the early Vedic literature, composed in 2nd millennium BCE. In Rigveda, Yajurveda (itself a derivative of this root) and others, it means "worship, devotion to anything, prayer and praise, an act of worship or devotion, a form of offering or oblation, and sacrifice". In post-Vedic literature, the term meant any form of rite, ceremony or devotion with an actual or symbolic offering or effort. A yajna included major ceremonial devotions, with or without
2268-599: The Sarapa Satra yagna. Vasuki and the other snakes, there after paid close attention to the movements of the sage Jaratkaru who was roaming in the forests. They were advised to note any utterance of the saint seeking a bride for himself to marry. As the sage Jaratkaru was busy with his ascetic penances, Parikshit, the king of the Kuru Dynasty who was on a hunting spree in the forests, was thirsty and came across sage Samika sitting in deep penance. Parikshit asked him for water but
2349-510: The adhvaryu, the udgata and the Brahma. The functions associated with the priests were: The central element of all Vedic sacrifices is the ritual fire, which is essential regardless of the complexity of the ceremony. Three ritual fires are traditionally used during a Vedic sacrifice. These are the householder's fire ( garhapatya ), the southern fire ( anvaharyapacana or daksinagni ), and the offertorial fire ( ahavaniya ). Oblations are offered into
2430-655: The ancient Nishiyajis are situated few kilometres from the main temple. Shri Ashtapad Teerth was built under the aegis of Shri Hastinapur Jain Shwetambar Teerth Trust . It is a 46-metre-high (151 ft) structure dedicated to first tirthankara Rishabhnath . Kailash Parvat is a 40-metre-high (131 ft) structure, constructed under the aegis of Shri Digamber Jain Mandir, Hastinapur. The Kailash Parvat premises are home to several Jain temples, including Yatri Niwas and Bhojanshala. Kailash Parvat also has an auditorium and
2511-551: The bank of the Ganges . The Shivling inside the Karna Temple is believed to be established by Karna , one of the prominent figures in the Mahabharata . This is a small Gurdwara located in the village of Saifpur, around 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from Hastinapur. Hastinapur Sanctuary , established in 1986, is one of the prominent wildlife projects in India. The sanctuary extends over
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2592-476: The birth of her child who will benefit their race than go in pursuit of her husband and invite his wrath. Soon a son was born to 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 up in the house of Vasuki, his uncle. He became proficient in Vedic scriptures, and
2673-457: The bride or the groom, varying by community and region. Usually, the bride leads the groom in the first circuit. The first six circuits are led by the bride, and the final one by the groom. With each circuit, the couple makes a specific vow to establish some aspect of a happy relationship and household for each other. The fire altar or the Yajna Kunda is square. Hastinapur Hastinapur
2754-547: The capital of the Kuru Kingdom of the Kauravas . Many incidents in the Mahabharata were set in the city of Hastinapur. According to the Mahabharata , the 100 Kaurava brothers were born in this city to their mother, Queen Gandhari , the wife of King Dhritarashtra . On the bank of the Budhi Ganga, two places near Hastinapur ( Draupadi Ghat and Karna Ghat ) reference Mahabharata personages. The first reference to Hastinapur in
2835-446: The cows". In Vedic rituals, the sacrifice is offered by a patron known as the yajamana . Commonly translated as "sacrificer", yajamana doesn't personally perform the sacrifice but rather hires priests for it. The yajamana acts as the patron, and the sacrifice is conducted for his benefit. Vedic ( Shrauta ) yajnas are typically performed by four priests of the Vedic priesthood : the hota,
2916-450: The death of the wife of the snake chieftain Takshaka and millions of other snakes by setting the forests of Khandava on fire to establish the kingdom of the Pandavas at Indraprastha . According to the Mahabharata legend, snakes were cursed by their mother Kadru when they refused to obey her request to cheat by turning the tail of the white horse Uchchaihshravas to a black colour to win
2997-501: The dialogues are part of a dramatic representation and discussion of spiritual themes. The Vedic sacrifice ( yajna ) is presented as a kind of drama, with its actors, its dialogues, its portion to be set to music, its interludes, and its climaxes. The Brahmodya Riddle hymns, for example, in Shatapatha Brahmana's chapter 13.2.6, is a yajna dialogue between a Hotri priest and a Brahmin priest, which would be played out during
3078-399: The fire were a form of hospitality towards the Vedic gods. The offerings were believed to be carried by Agni to the gods; the gods in return were expected to grant boons and benedictions , and thus the ritual served as a means of spiritual exchange between gods and human beings. The Vedangas , or auxiliary sciences attached to the Vedic literature, define Yajna as follows: Definition of
3159-423: The fire. As the fire sacrifice was in progress Takshsaka was held in mid air because Astika had said " 'Stay,' 'Stay,' 'Stay'" and his command was more powerful than the mantras uttered by the Hotris. The Sadasyas then repeatedly urged Janamejaya 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
3240-444: The fire. Among the ingredients offered as oblations in the yajna are ghee , milk, grains, cakes and soma . The duration of a yajna depends on its type, some last only a few minutes whereas others are performed over a period of hours, days or even months. Some yajnas were performed privately, while others were community events. In other cases, yajnas were symbolic, such as in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad hymn 3.1.6, where "the mind
3321-438: The fire. Janamejaya appealed to Astika that he would give him all riches of gold, and other things but he should allow the fire sacrifice to continue. Astika did not relent and the Sadasyas assembled asked Janamejaya to grant Astika, the boon. As the sacrifice continued the number of snakes that fell into the fire became countless, which were of all shapes and sizes and belonged to many races; Takshaka's children were all consumed to
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3402-726: The following yajna types: The Vedic yajna ritual is performed in the modern era on a square altar called Vedi ( Bedi in Nepal), set in a mandapa or mandala or kundam , wherein wood is placed along with oily seeds and other combustion aids. However, in ancient times, the square principle was incorporated into grids to build large complex shapes for community events. Thus a rectangle, trapezia, rhomboids or "large falcon bird" altars would be built from joining squares. The geometric ratios of these Vedi altar, with mathematical precision and geometric theorems, are described in Shulba Sutras , one of
3483-454: The friction of meditation, one may see the Deva who is hidden, as it were". The nature of Vedic sacrifice and rituals evolved over time, with major changes during the 1st millennium BCE, changes that influenced concepts later adopted by other traditions such as Buddhism. Early Vedic period sacrifices involved animal sacrifice, but the rituals were progressively reinterpreted over time, substituting
3564-439: The gifts offered by Takshaka and went away. Then Takshaka went to Hastinapur in the disguise of a Brahmin and realising that the king was protected by spells, decided to approach the king by deceit. He sent an emissary with a plate of fruits, Kusa grass and water to be offered to the king which was accepted by the king. As the evening sun had set on the seventh day, the king decided to eat the fruit thinking that his hour of death
3645-445: The happy event, thanked Astika and asked him: "O learned one, what good shall we do unto thee? We have been very much gratified, having been all saved by thee. What shall we accomplish for thee, O child!" Astika told them that they should desist from causing harm to anyone during day or night. Any one narrating the story of Astika should have full immunity from snake bite and any snake disobeying this injunction shall have "his hood divided
3726-420: The house of Vasuki, where he was provided with suitable accommodation to live with his wife. He took a promise from his wife that she would do nothing which will hurt him or upset his daily chores and in case she does not follow his injunctions he would then desert her. On one particular day, when he was tired, he slept on his wife's lap. As he was sleeping soundly she did not wake him up for his evening prayers. As
3807-416: The idea further by suggesting that Yoga is a form of Yajna (devotion, sacrifice). The Shvetashvatara Upanishad in verse 1.5.14, for example, uses the analogy of Yajna materials to explain the means to see one's soul and God, with inner rituals and without external rituals. It states, "by making one's own body as the lower friction sticks, the syllable Om as the upper friction sticks, then practicing
3888-723: The imperial treasury and supplying a force of 300 infantry and 10 cavalry. The author Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak describes it "an ancient Hindu settlement" lying on the Ganges. In British India , Hastinapur was ruled by Raja Nain Singh Nagar, who built many Hindu temples in and around Hastinapura. Present-day Hastinapur is a town in the Doab region of Uttar Pradesh in India , about 37 kilometres (23 mi) from Meerut and nearly 96 km (60 mi) north-east of Delhi on National Highway 34 . It
3969-493: The intervention of sage Jaratkaru's son Astika. He also told the snake king Vasuki and others that that was the reason for the gods not interfering when Kadru cursed her sons to be destroyed in the Sarpa Satra yagna. Elapatra also informed that Brahma had willed that Jaratkaru, the noble and learned saint would marry the sister of Vasuki whose name was also Jaratkaru and the son born to them, who would be known as Astika, would stop
4050-569: The king was also on his way to save the king of the snakebite. Takshaka met him on the way and told him that nothing could prevent him in killing the king and that no body could even save him. He then challenged Kashyapa by totally burning a banyan tree to ashes with his poison and asking the sage to revive it. Kashyapa revived the tree and Takshaka realised that Kashyapa could be lured by riches of gold and other gifts. Kashyapa by his deep thoughts also perceived that Parikshit's life span had come to an end and that he would not live further. He then accepted
4131-465: The king was dragged into the fire. The Ritwicks were asked to intensify their chanting and fire offerings to draw Takshaka to the fire. The Ritwicks told Janamajeya that Takshaka was given shelter by Indra and hence were unable to draw him to the fire. This was also confirmed by Astika. Janamejaya ordered that Indra be dragged into the fire along with Takshaka. And the Hotris (priests) intensified their hymnal chantings and libations (fire offerings). Indra
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#17328595766874212-481: The offerings and making it non-violent or symbolic, with the superiority of knowledge and celebration of sound of mantra replacing the physical offerings. Ultimately, the external rituals were reformulated and replaced with "internal oblations performed within the human body". These ideas of substitution, evolution from external actions ( karma-kanda ) to internal knowledge ( jñana-kanda ), were highlighted in many rituals-related sutras, as well as specialized texts such as
4293-474: The period of Mahabharata . It is said that the city was named after King Hasti. It is also mentioned in the Ramayana , the 13th and 14th verses of which say (translated): "Having crossed Ganga River at Hastinapura, they proceeded towards the west and, reaching Panchala kingdom through Kuru Jangala and observing well-filled lakes and rivers with clear water, the messengers mentioned above went briskly, due to
4374-449: The place where the fire sacrifice was being held. He persuaded the gate keepers to allow him to enter the premises of the yagna where the king Janamejaya, the Ritwiks, and the Sadasyas were engaged in the grand snake sacrifice. On entering the place of the yagna platform Astika offered greetings to Janamejaya and extolled his virtues and achievements in glorious terms. He also extolled the Ritwiks and Sadasyas who were involved in performing
4455-468: The precursors to the development of mathematics in ancient India. The offerings are called Samagri (or Yajāka , Istam ). The proper methods for the rites are part of Yajurveda , but also found in Riddle Hymns (hymns of questions, followed by answers) in various Brahmanas . When multiple priests are involved, they take turns as in a dramatic play, where not only are praises to gods recited or sung, but
4536-865: The presence of sacred fire ( Agni ). Yajna rituals-related texts have been called the Karma-kanda (ritual works) portion of the Vedic literature, in contrast to the Jnana-kanda (knowledge) portion found in the Vedic Upanishads . The proper completion of Yajna-like rituals was the focus of Mimansa school of Hindu philosophy . Yajna have continued to play a central role in a Hindu's rites of passage, such as weddings. Modern major Hindu temple ceremonies, Hindu community celebrations, or monastic initiations may also include Vedic Yajna rites, or alternatively be based on Agamic rituals. The word yajna ( Sanskrit : यज्ञ , romanized : yajña ) has its root in
4617-517: The pressing nature of their mission." The early archaeological remains of the region belong to Ochre Coloured Pottery culture which was a Bronze Age culture of Ganga Yamuna doab. Around c.1200 BCE the region transformed to an Iron Age culture. The region was occupied by the Painted Grey Ware culture which corresponds to the Vedic Period . In the Mahabharata , Hastinapur is portrayed as
4698-815: The purpose of a sacrifice. — Apastamba Yajna Paribhasa-sutras 1.1 , Translator: M Dhavamony In the Upanishadic times, or after 500 BCE, states Sikora, the meaning of the term Yajna evolved from "ritual sacrifice" performed around fires by priests, to any "personal attitude and action or knowledge" that required devotion and dedication. The oldest Vedic Upanishads, such as the Chandogya Upanishad (~700 BCE) in Chapter 8, for example state, अथ य द्यज्ञ इत्याचक्षते ब्रह्मचर्यमेव तद्ब्रह्मचर्येण ह्येव यो ज्ञाता तं विन्दतेऽथ यदिष्टमित्याचक्षते ब्रह्मचर्यमेव तद्ब्रह्मचर्येण ह्येवेष्ट्वात्मानमनुविन्दते ॥ १ ॥ What
4779-429: The sacrifice, became scared and took shelter under Indra who promised to protect him, and told Takshaka not to be fearful. However, Vasuki, the king of snakes was perturbed by the development noting that his family of snakes was getting depleted drastically, leaving only a few, and also feared that he himself could be drawn into the fire. He then went in appeal to his sister Jaratkaru seeking the help of her son Astika who
4860-405: The sacrifice. Janamejaya, who was pleased with the way the young Astika addressed him and the assembled sages and Ritwicks with his erudite knowledge, asked Astika to seek a boon which he would definitely honour since he was a Brahmin. The Sadasyas also 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
4941-405: The sage did not respond as he was in deep meditation. But the king was annoyed and he killed a snake with a stick and in a rage put the dead snake around the neck of the sage. The sage did not show any emotion nor did he curse the king. Parikshit seeing the sage in that state repented for his act and returned to his kingdom. Then the sage's son Sringin , who saw a dead snake around his father's neck,
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#17328595766875022-520: The sage to bestow her with a child as she was married to him by her relatives only for this purpose, to overcome the curse of their mother Kadru. He then made her conceive and told her that the son who would be born would be 'highly virtuous, and a master of the Vedas and their branches'. He then left her and retired to the forest to do penance. Vasuki, who was informed by his sister of what had transpired with her husband, told her that it would be better to await
5103-399: The sentiments of a noble sage but was not disturbed to hear about his death by snakebite. The king then took all protective action to save himself of any snake bite and in consultation with his ministers securely confined himself. On the seventh day, when the chief of snakes Takshaka was going towards Hastinapur to kill Parikshit, the learned sage Kashyapa who had heard the story of the curse on
5184-411: The snake sacrifice and a land was chosen for this purpose. A special 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 was not suitable and that the sacrifice would be left incomplete. Janamajeya, disturbed by this prediction, set up
5265-449: The snake sacrifice. Knowing these details, Janamajaya was deeply disturbed and vowed to avenge the death of his father. Janamejaya then decided to perform the snake sacrifice to destroy not only Takshaka, his enemy who had killed his father, 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
5346-423: The sun was about to set his wife Jaratkaru, preferring to invite his wrath than prevent him from performing his religious rites, whispered to her husband and woke him up and told him to perform his evening's religious rites as the twilight was setting on the west. The sage arose and became very furious for not waking him up in time and told his wife that the time had now come for him to leave her. She then pleaded with
5427-515: The text of the Mahabharata and the material remains that he unearthed at Hastinapur. This led him to historicize some of the traditions mentioned in the Mahabharata as well as link the appearance of the Painted Grey Ware with Aryans in the upper Ganges basin areas. Hastinapur is listed in the Ain-i-Akbari as a pargana under Delhi sarkar , producing a revenue of 4,466,904 dams for
5508-740: The town was 74.5% slightly higher than the national average of 74%. Around 14% of the population was under 6 years of age. Located on the banks of an old ravine of the Ganges, Hastinapur is considered one of the holiest places for Hindus and Jains . It is believed to be the birthplace of three Jain Tirthankaras . There are many ancient Hindu temples including Pandeshwar Temple and Karna Temple, as well as Jain temples such as Shri Digamber , Jain Mandir , Jambudweep , Kailash Parvat , and Shwetambar Jain Temple. Digamber Jain Bada Mandir Hastinapur
5589-544: The venue. Yagna Yajna ( Sanskrit : यज्ञ , lit. 'act of devotion, worship, offering in fire', IAST : yajña ) also known as Hawan in Hinduism refers to any ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras . Yajna has been a Vedic tradition, described in a layer of Vedic literature called Brahmanas , as well as Yajurveda . The tradition has evolved from offering oblations and libations into sacred fire to symbolic offerings in
5670-416: The yajna ritual before the attending audience. Who is that is born again? It is the moon that is born again. And what is the great vessel? The great vessel, doubtless, is this world. Who was the smooth one? The smooth one, doubtless, was the beauty (Sri, Lakshmi ). What is the remedy for cold? The remedy for cold, doubtless,
5751-431: Was Jaratkaru and if he gets married and begets a son then only they would be relieved of their present state and then go heaven. Jaratkaru revealed his identity to the manes and requested them to tell him the way he could help them. They then told him to get married and beget a son. He promised to act on their advice and then roamed around the forest seeking a bride. He addressed the forest space, nobody in particular, to find
5832-497: Was a Naga and father was Jaratkaru a saintly Brahmin . Janamejaya had to listen to the words of the learned Astika and set Takshaka free. He also stopped the massacre of the snakes (Nagas) and ended all the enmity with them. From then onward the snakes (Nagas) and Kurus lived in peace. The earliest background to this revengeful act of the snake sacrifice or Sarpa satra to kill snakes is traced to Arjuna , grandfather of Parikshit and great grandfather of Janamejaya . He had caused
5913-571: Was appointed the king and given the name Janamejaya meaning "the slayer of all enemies." Janamejaya ruled the Kuru empire of his great grandfather Yudhisthira . He ruled the kingdom wisely and heroically like a monarch. He married Vapushtama , the daughter of king of Varanasi (Kashi). During this period, Jaratkaru who was roaming around the forest met a group of manes, who were his ancestors and who were hanging upside down waiting for salvation to go to heaven. They informed Jaratkaru that their only descendant
5994-416: Was born to help stop the sacrifice. As Astika wanted to know the background to the issue, his mother narrated to him from the time of the curse of Kadru, her marriage to Jaratkaru and that the son born to her would relieve them of the curse of Kadru. Vasuki also appealed to his nephew to save the race of the snakes. Astika then promised that he would help to stop the snake sacrifice and then proceeded towards
6075-454: Was deeply disturbed and raged against his colleague, Krisa, for taking it as a joke. Krisa informed his friend that Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, who was on a hunting expedition in the forest had perpetrated this act. Hearing this Sringin cursed that Parikshit would die of snake bite inflicted by the chief of snakes, Takshaka, within seven nights. He then informed his ascetic father of the curse that he had given to Parikshit. The sage, Samika,
6156-461: Was displeased with the curse and told his son Sringin that it was improper to curse a noble king who was the protector of all, particularly when the king had acted out of impulse as he was thirsty and was seeking water from him. But his son stood by his curse. However, sage Samika sent one of his disciples, Gaurmukha, to inform the king Parikhsit of the curse of his son, though he himself was opposed to it. Parikhsit became repentant for his act of hurting
6237-528: Was dragged toward the fire and Takshaka was hiding in Indra's upper garment. As soon as Indra saw the fire sacrifice he was frightened and fled from the scene leaving Takshaka in mid air getting dragged towards the fire. In another version it is said that when only Indra appeared before them the Brahmins were furious and threatened Indra that he would be dragged into the sacrificial fire if he does not surrender Takshaka. But Indra drew his thunderbolt weapon to hurl at
6318-490: Was extremely pleased with Astika and wished him well as he returned home. He told Astika to join him as a Sadasya and participate in the great Horse-sacrifice which he proposed to hold in the future. Thus the "complete extermination" of the snake race (Nagas) started by Janamejaya came to an end with the timely intervention of Astika who brokered peace between the Kurus and the snakes (Nagas). The snakes which were saved celebrated
6399-425: Was one of the son of Kadru listening to the discussions held by the snakes and the comments made by Vasuki told them that nobody could prevent the sacrifice from being held by Janamejaya as it was 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. But the noble snakes would, however, be saved by
6480-461: Was stalled. He found an insect in the fruit and picked it up and placed it on his neck saying that if it was Takshaka the snake let it bite him. It was truly Takshaka in the disguise of an insect who then appeared in his true form, coiled himself around the neck of the king, bit the king and killed him. The last rites of the king were performed by a Brahmin priest as the King's son was a minor. The minor son
6561-449: Was taught by sage Chyavana , son Maharishi Bhrigu . He was rigid in his habits without any indulgences and was saintly. When King Janamejaya wanted to know the reasons for his father Parikshit's death, details were made known by his council of Ministers. Uttanka , one of the priests in the court of Janamejaya, who had also been cheated by Takshaka, gave a detailed account of Parikshit's death and urged Janamejaya to take revenge by holding
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