There is and Whoever is

Mahabharata Adiparva Astika parva Section 46-50

Sri SadGurubhyoh Namah

Rishi Jaratkaru sets three conditions for this marriage. Girl should be of same name, she should be given in alms to him, and he will not maintain her. He searches for a girl and couldnt find any. He goes into a forest and utters these words "whatever movable and immovable is there, if they want to bestow a bride unto me with same name as me, I shall marry her". Immediately Serpent Vasuki waiting for this opportunity rises and offers his sister for marriage. Jaratkaru says, he will leave the girl if she does anything to offend him and on that condition marries her.

After spending sometime with her, one day, he slept on her lap in the afternoon. His wife who is also named jaratkaru, felt that the time for evening prayer is passing away, and she wakes him up. Rishi Jaratakaru takes this as an insult to him and leaves his wife. His wife asks him, "our race is dependent on a son born to you, is the purpose of this marriage served". Rishi Jaratkaru says, "There is" and goes away.

After sometime she gives birth to a son. They name him 'Astika' (whoever is).

My commentary :

Between 'asti' (there is ) and 'na asti' (There is not) lies the liberation and bondage. Is there a belief that liberation is asti, then we can make an effort. If we follow naasti we will derive atheism and bondage.

As has been discussed in earlier posts, snakes are symbolic of thoughts. The son that is born of a thought Jaratkaru who is assured that 'There is' points to the fact that there is something to aim for in life.

peace