# The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section XLVI

Section XLVI. ( Astika Parva continued. )
Sauti said, "Jaratkaru, hearing all this, became excessively sorry. And from sorrow he spake unto those pitris in words obstructed by tears. And Jaratkaru said, 'Ye are even my fathers and grand-fathers gone before me. Therefore tell me what must I do for your welfare. I am that sinful son of yours,—Jaratkaru! Punish me of sinful deeds and worthless as I am.'
"And the pitris replied, saying, 'O son, by good fortune hast thou arrived at this spot in the course of thy rambles. O Brahmana, why hast thou not taken a wife?"
"And Jaratkaru said, 'ye pitris, this desire hath always existed in my heart that I would, with vital seed drawn up, ​carry this body to the other world. My mind hath been possessed with the idea that I would not take a wife. But ye grand-fathers, having seen ye hanging like birds, I have diverted my mind from the Brahmacharya mode of life. I will truly do what ye like, I will certainly marry, if ever I get a maiden of my own name. I shall accept her who shall, bestowing herself of her own accord, be as alms unto me, and whom I shall not have to maintain. I shall marry if I get such a one; otherwise, I shall not. This is the truth, ye grand-fathers! And the offspring that will be begot in her shall be your salvation. And, ye pitris of mine, ye shall live for ever in blessedness and without fear of fall.'"
Sauti continued, " And the Muni having said so unto the Pitris, wandered over the earth again. And, O Saunaka, old as he was, he obtained not a wife. And he grieved much that he was not successful. But directed (as before) by his ancestors, he continued the search. And going into the forest he wept loudly in great grief. And having gone into the forest, the wise one, moved by the desire of doing good to his ancestors, said, 'I will ask for a bride distinctly repeating these words thrice.' And he said, 'Whatever creatures are here, fixed and moving, or whatever that are invisible, O hear my words! My ancestors, afflicted with grief, have directed me engaged in the most severe penances, saying,—Marry thou for the acquisition of a son.—O ye, directed by my ancestors, I am roaming, in poverty and sorrow, over the wide world for wedding a maiden I may obtain as alms. Let that creature, amongst those I have addressed, who hath a daughter, bestow her on myself roaming on all sides! Such a bride who is of the same name with me, to be bestowed on me as alms, and whom besides I shall not maintain, O bestow on me!' Then those snakes that had been set on Jaratkaru, ascertaining this his inclination gave information to Vasuki. And the king of the snakes hearing their words, taking with him that maiden decked with ornaments, went into the forest unto that Rishi. And, O Brahmana, Vasuki the king of the snakes, having gone there, offered that maiden as alms to that high-souled Rishi. But the Rishi did not at once accept her. And the Rishi ​thinking her not to be of the same name with himself, and the question of her maintenance also being unsettled, reflected for a few moments, hesitating to accept her. And then, O son of Bhrigu, he asked Vasuki the maiden's mame, and also said unto him, 'I shall not maintain her.'"
And so ends the forty-sixth Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.