The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 27

Section XXVII. ( Astika Parva continued. )

Sauti said, "And then the Nagas wetted with the shower became exceedingly glad. And borne by that bird of fair feathers, they soon arrived at the island. And that island had been appointed by the creator of the universe as the abode of the makaras. They had seen in that island on a former occasion the fierce Asura of the name of Lavana. And arrived there with Gadura, they saw there a beautiful forest, washed by the waters of the sea and resounding with (the music of) winged choirs. And there were clusters of trees all around with various fruits and flowers. And there were also fair mansions all around; and many tanks abounding with lotuses. And it was also adorned with many fair lakes of pure water. And it was refreshed with pure incense-breathing breezes. And it was adorned with many a tree that grows only on the hills of Malaya (sandal wood) which seemed by its tallness to reach the very heavens, and which shaken by the breeze dropped showers of flowers. And there were also various other trees whose flowers were scattered all around by the breeze. And it seemed as if these bathed the Nagas arrived there with showers of rain represented by their dropping flowers. And that forest was charming and dear to the Gandharvas and always gave them pleasure. And it was full of bees mad with the honey they sucked. And the sight of its appearance was exceedingly delightful. And in consequence of many things there capable of charming everybody, that forest was fair, delightful, and holy. And echoing with the notes of various birds, it delighted greatly the sons of Kadru.

"And then the snakes having arrived at that forest began to enjoy themselves. And they commanded the lord of birds, Gadura, of great energy, saying, 'convey us to some other fair island with pure water. Thou ranger of the skies, thou must have seen many fair regions in thy course (through the air.)' And Gadura, after reflecting for a few moments, asked his mother Vinata, 'why, mother, am I to do the bidding of the snakes?' And Vinata thus questioned by him thus spake unto that ranger of the skies, her son, invested with every, and great strength.

"Vinata said, 'O thou best of birds, I have become, from misfortune, the slave of her who hath the same husband with me. The snakes by an act of deception caused me to lose my bet and have made so.' And when his mother had told him the reason, that ranger of the skies, dejected with grief, addressed the snakes, saying, 'Tell me, ye snakes, by bringing what thing, or gaining a knowledge of what thing, or doing what act of prowess, we may be freed from this state of bondage to ye.'"

Sauti continued, "And the snakes hearing him said, 'Bring then amrita by force. Then, O bird, shalt thou be freed from bondage.'"

And so ends the twenty-seventh Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.