Ajagara Chapter 2 (179)
Yudhishthira finds Bhima
Intro
Ajagara means python. Ajagara python is the story of Bhima, Yudhishthira and the snake.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/ajagara
As It Rhymes
Chapter 179 - Yudhishthira Tracks Down Bhima
1-2.
Vaishampayana said,
Snap. Bhima knew he was a goner.
The snake’s strength sapped valor.
Slapped with the end Bhimasena gave death a ponder.
Python! What a supper.
3.
“Snake, your great soul led me yonder.
I am Bhimasena Pandava, Dharmaraja’s wonder brother.
4.
I’ve slain orange tiger and tawny lion.
My thorn left brawny buffalo and scores of wild hooved horned beasts lyin’.
5.
Rakshasa, Pishachas, Serpent Lords cut down by my feats.
My mighty arms, shoulders and fleet speed make elite mincemeat.
6.
I salute your knowledge or boon -
or industry that restrains my boom.
7.
Man’s strength proves unreal.
The serpent makes a man its meal.”
8-9.
Knowing this day was last Bhima gasped his last rites.
Bhima went purple pale.
The snake coiled tight around Bhima’s sides.
Then the snake hissed its tale.
10-12.
The snake said,
“Demigods place a delicate morsel on the table.
Divine Will makes an unstoppable force palatable.
From them your beautiful form receipt.
As I subdue you my heaven sent sustenance.
Hear now how I was born a serpent.
After great souls in rage cast me down to repent.
13-14.
Nahusha was my name - I was a royal sage.
I am your ancestor by Ayu from an ancient age.
Agastya cursed me in heaven over a touch foot.
Such was fate his curse took root.
15-17.
I know eating my fruit is sinfully silly.
But like sweet liquor intoxicates, the prospect of a tender warm ancestral delicacy turns my smarts to jelly.
Curse the deeds of this infernal serpent form!
Every sixth day I eat buffalo or elephant bull.
It is a relief to tell a fellow how I fell so low.
Smell is pure sensate to the serpent nose.
Holding a Kaurava I sense my former purpose.
18-20.
I was in heaven when I fell from Shakra’s throne.
I called to the sage Agastya, ‘O’ Lord Bhagavan!’
Agastya spoke with radiant energy.
‘Time will set you free, your majesty.’
So I fell to earth and lost my fame.
But I still recall my last name.’
21-22.
Agastya said while I was falling,
‘After you ponder the fruits of your actions.
Someday an ancestor will answer your questions.
His statements will free you from folly.
Until that time all living entities held by you will be oppressed as though by Bali.
Your power will grow as you devour.’”
23-24.
The snake said,
“Like that Agastya’s merciful words ceased.
So my fame decreased.
Now I am a supreme miscreant engaged in a filthy life of ragged ill shame.
Born in a serpent species to swallow game, my memory as a rishi is a jagged pill.”
25-28.
Bhimasena said,
“O’ great snake, do as you please.
My soul is at peace.
I am not angry. You are hungry.
Whether happy or sad, human lives are a grind.
Memory fades heart and mind.
Demigod worship may give a person reprieve from the dream.
But destiny reigns supreme.
Destiny put my strength in a bind.
The snake’s squeeze intoxicates my mind.
29-33.
Today the family will grieve a calamitous loss.
Injustice took my brothers’ kingdom on a toss.
This mountain cave is difficult to attain.
Without me our kin will be restrained.
The morose bros will abandon their cause.
Arjuna alone could regain the course.
His way with weapons makes him a formidable force.
Arjuna can tangle with Gandharvas or Rakshasas like a boss.
34.
The gambler son of Dhritarashtra stands no chance -
If it’s with Arjuna whom he has to dance.
35.
Mother too will sorrow in misery and grief.
Her lofty expectations belied by a miserly thief.
36-38.
The destruction of their protector will bear bitter fruit.
Nakula and Sahadeva follow me like a guru.
Lament the fallen Kuru.”
39.
Vrikodara struggled in vain.
The snake liked to play with its prey.
40-43.
Just then the son of Kunti Yudhishthira’s face became ashen gray.
Dharmaraja saw the setting sun cast cold rays over the Ashram where they stay.
Howls arose from the southern wood.
A one eyed quail alighted and vomited blood.
Yudhishthira saw a terrible vision from where he stood.
Shiva was seated on a white tiger hide.
An inferno’s flames licked at him from every side.
Asuras swarmed Shiva like flies.
A hot wind blew dust in Yudhisthira’s eyes.
No birds flew in the skies.
The beasty howls grew to yowling cries.
44-45.
Black crows cawed from a bough.
Yudhishthira’s arm throbbed in pain.
Blood trickled from his nose.
Yudhishthira’s heart banged.
Yudhishthira’s left foot shot a pang.
Yudhishthira’s left ear rang.
46.
The intelligent Dharmaraja respected instinct and fear.
Yudhishthira asked dear Draupadi if she had seen Bhima near.
47.
Panchali replied,
‘Vrikodara has been out all day at sport.
Dhaumya went with as hunting consort.’
48.
The King asked Dhananjaya to hold the fort in peace.
The king instructed Nakula and Sahadeva to keep the priests.
49.
Yudhisthira followed Bhima’s footsteps into the forest.
Bhima’s trail of carnage piled high and deep with animal carcass.
50.
Ajatashatru saw a massive dead elephant with a sliced trunk and shattered head.
Yudhisthira followed death whichever way Bhima’s footprints led.
51.
Yudhishthira saw scores of animals killed by Bhima’s pierce.
Some looked large and fierce.
Some looked sad and strange.
In this way the king followed Bhima’s terrible route round the mountain range.
52.
Yudhishthira ran like the wind through many secluded places.
Shattered trees lay scattered here and there near Bhima’s leaping paces.
53.
Yudhishthira attained elevations following Bhima’s traces.
A hot breeze blew Yudhishthira back toward the cave scene.
54.
It was in a rocky place with black water and thorn trees.
There in the cave Yudhishthira saw his family tree in an unholy python squeeze.
Bhima’s moment of crisis - alas! to be eaten by an Indra of the serpentine.
Notes
[1] Vaishampayana, Janamanjeya ibid.
[3] Dharmaraja is Yudhishthira
[5] Rakshasas and Pishachas are cannibals.
[18] Shakra is Indra. Indra is the king of Gods.
Bhagavan means God.
[19] Agastya is a great sage.
The story of Agastya drinking the ocean to reveal demons for Indra to smite is an ancient tale.
[22] Bali is a demon king
[24] Rishi is a wise person or sage. Devarishi are divine sages, like Agastya.
[26]
Sukha Duhkha - Happiness & Distress.
[29] Bhima is alluding to the dice game - the story of the loss of the kingdom in the gambling match is told in Dyuta parva.
The ‘As It Rhymes’ translation of Dyuta is in progress and can be found here.
[33] Gandharvas are celestial musicians and surprisingly formidable fighters.
[34] Duryodhana is Dhritarashtra's gambling son.
[35] Bhima's mom is Kunti.
[39] Vrikodara is Bhima.
[47] Panchali is Draupadi.
[48] Dhananjaya is Arjuna.
[50] Ajatashatru is Yudhishthira.
Translation Collage
