Jaratkaru

In Hindu mythology, a sage famous not
only for his asceticism and knowledge
but also because he illustrates the
importance of male children in Hindu
culture. Jaratkaru is a lifelong ascetic
with no intention of marrying until he
has a vision of his ancestors suspended
over one of the hells by a grass rope,
through which a rat (time personified) is
gradually gnawing. His ancestors inform
Jaratkaru that his failure to have a son
means that the lineage will end with
him, along with the rites performed for
the deceased in that lineage, and that
they will then fall into hell. To forestall
this disaster, they instruct Jaratkaru to
marry and beget a son.
Jaratkaru is initially hostile to this
idea, but later specifies that if a woman
315
Jaratkaru
also named Jaratkaru is found and given
to him as alms, he will marry her. His
conditions eventually reaches the Naga
(snake) king Vasuki, who has a sister by
this name. The marriage is performed
under the condition that if she displeases
Jaratkaru, he will leave her. Given
Jaratkaru’s ascetic past, it is not surprising that things did not work out between
them. After being married several
months, his wife has the dilemma of
allowing Jaratkaru to sleep past sunset,
which will make him late for his evening
prayers, or to wake him and risk his displeasure. She chooses the latter;
Jaratkaru is displeased with her and
leaves despite her entreaties. Some time
later the wife Jaratkaru gives birth to a
son, Astika, and thus the sage’s obligations are fulfilled.