Jaratkaru -- Why should one marry

MahaBharata

Adiparva section 13 Astika parva

Sage Saunaka asks Sauti, "Who is that king who performed snake-sacrifice (sarpa yaaga) and why?, Who is the brahmana Astika who saved the snakes ? Whose son was Astika? tell me all of the story ? ".

Sauti said, "It is a long story, it was recited by my father Lomaharshana, to the rishis in naimisharanya, after hearing it from his master Vyasa. I will tell you all".

Story of Jaratkaru :

Astika is son of Jaratkaru the great ascetic. Jaratkaru is an ascetic of type Yayavara. He performed many pious deeds, rarely ate, rarely slept, roamed entire world without care.

He saw few Yayavaras hanging upside down in a hole with a virana wire, sinking into the earth. He felt compassion on them and asked them, who they are , and for what purpose they are doing this penance, who is responsible for their plight.

They replied 'We are rishis called Yayavaras. In our lineage we have a son called Jaratkaru, who is performing great ascetic deeds, but he is not marrying and begetting a son. For fear of extinction of our race, we are suspended in this hole, we are forefathers of that wretched being Jaratkaru. Who are you , who is showing compassion on us'.

Jaratkaru bows to them respectfully and says, 'I am that wretch Jaratkaru, please tell me what shall I do?'.

The rishis, forefathers of Jaratkaru replies 'Get married and have a son to carry our race forward, The merit accrued by getting a son is greater than all the merits gained by ascetic deeds.'

Jaratkaru promises them to marry a girl provided the girl be of same name, and gifted to him or given in charity.

Probable meaning :

There are 5 yajnas a person is supposed to perform according to sanatana dharma. They are,

1) Deva yajna -- daily worship , prayers, puja
2) Pitr yajna -- shraadha, getting progeny
3) brahma yajna or rishi yajna -- veda study and teaching
4) bhuta yajna -- taking care of animals
5) manushya yajna -- annadana, charity etc

The story of Jaratkaru tells the importance of Pitr yajna, and how it is a sacred duty to get married and produce progeny. The Grihastha ashrama (Married person's state) is vital for society to sustain.

Adiparva section 13 Astika parva ends