The vegetable
poison, mingled in the blood of the son of the Wind god, was neutralised
by the snake-poison. The serpents had bitten all over his frame, except
his chest, the skin of which was so tough that their fangs could not
penetrate it.
"On regaining consciousness, the son of Kunti burst his bands and began to
press the snakes down under the ground. A remnant fled for life, and going
to their king Vasuki, represented, 'O king of snakes, a man drowned under
the water, bound in chords of shrubs; probably he had drunk poison. For
when he fell amongst us, he was insensible. But when we began to bite him,
he regained his senses, and bursting his fetters, commenced laying at us.
May it please Your Majesty to enquire who is.'
"Then Vasuki, in accordance with the prayer of the inferior Nagas, went to
the place and saw Bhimasena. Of the serpents, there was one, named Aryaka.
He was the grandfather of the father of Kunti. The lord of serpents saw
his relative and embraced him. Then, Vasuki, learning all, was pleased
with Bhima, and said to Aryaka with satisfaction, 'How are we to please
him? Let him have money and gems in profusion."
"On hearing the words of Vasuki, Aryaka said, 'O king of serpents, when
Your Majesty is pleased with him, no need of wealth for him! Permit him to
drink of rasakunda (nectar-vessels) and thus immeasurable strength. There
is the strength of a thousand elephants in each one of those vessels. Let
this prince drink as much as he can.
Pages:
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524