Disciple:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Greetings, my son.
Disciple:
Gurudev, as we gather before you for knowledge, today we are here to learn about Astika Muni.
Gurudev:
Astika Muni was the son of Mansa Devi. Most people don't know much about him. He was a great Maharshi (sage). Once, while walking through a forest, he saw several of his ancestors hanging upside down from a tree over a pit.
Gurudev:
They were Jaratkaru's ancestors. He asked them, "Why are you in this state?" They replied, "We have traveled to various holy places and temples, but we have no descendants to carry on our lineage. Because we lack an heir, God has given us this punishment."
Gurudev:
Now, Jaratkaru was their son. He asked, "What can I do for you?" They said, "You must get married and have a son. Then we will be liberated. If you continue our lineage, we will be saved from this state."
Gurudev:
Jaratkaru then wondered who would be a suitable match for him. He went into the forest and prayed for a wife. Vasuki, the King of Snakes, heard his plea. Vasuki brought his sister, Mansa, and said, "Lord, I have brought my sister. She is a worthy match for you. Please accept her."
Gurudev:
Jaratkaru said to Vasuki, the King of Snakes, "I will accept her on one condition: if she ever disobeys or disrespects me, I will leave her." Vasuki agreed to this condition. He gave his sister Mansa to Jaratkaru.
Gurudev:
Time passed. One day, Jaratkaru was sleeping with his head on Mansa's lap. As evening approached, Mansa realized it was time for his evening prayers. She woke him up. Jaratkaru became very angry. He said, "Don't you know that as long as I sleep, the sun will not set? Why did you disturb my sleep? I told you that if you ever hindered me, I would leave. I am leaving now."
Gurudev:
As he was leaving his pregnant wife, he said, "The son born from your womb, Astika, will be famous throughout the world and will protect the race of snakes." With these words, he departed.
Gurudev:
During that time, King Parikshit died from the bite of the snake Takshaka. His son, Janamejaya, sought revenge. He organized a massive 'Sarpa Satra' (snake sacrifice) to destroy the entire snake race. Vasuki, being in danger, did not know how to save his kind.
Gurudev:
A Nag Kanya (snake maiden) named Alapatra helped them. Meanwhile, during the sacrifice, Lord Brahma told the gods that the only way to stop this was through the son born of Jaratkaru's merit.
Gurudev:
Ultimately, the sacrifice failed to destroy the entire snake race, as Takshaka and Vasuki were saved. This is why Mansa Devi is worshipped during Nag Panchami, especially in the month of Shravana. This tradition is very strong in East Bengal (Bangladesh), as snakes are more prevalent there, but it has now spread to West Bengal as well. Many houses have Mansa trees and perform the rituals with great devotion during the full moon of Shravana.
Gurudev:
There is another part of the legend involving Chand Sadagar. He used to mock Mansa Devi, calling her a 'one-eyed old woman.' Mansa caused him many troubles, including sinking his ships, as he was a wealthy merchant. But he refused to worship her, saying, "The hand I use to worship Lord Shiva will never worship a one-eyed old woman."
Gurudev:
Mansa Devi was determined to gain status among the gods in heaven. Before the wedding of Behula and Lakhinder (Chand Sadagar's son), Chand had a room made of iron by Vishwakarma to protect his son. However, Mansa appeared in Vishwakarma's dream and threatened to destroy his lineage unless he left a small hole in the room.
Gurudev:
Through that tiny hole, a venomous snake entered and bit Lakhinder on his wedding night, killing him. In those days, there was a custom of setting the dead adrift on a raft. When they did this for Lakhinder, Behula insisted on going with him, vowing to bring her husband back to life. She reached heaven and pleased the gods with her devotion.
Gurudev:
Mansa Devi placed a condition: she would only bring Lakhinder back to life if Chand Sadagar worshipped her. Behula returned and convinced her father-in-law. Chand Sadagar finally agreed, but he said, "I will worship her with my left hand only. My right hand is for Shiva." Mansa accepted this just to gain recognition. This is how the worship of Mansa Devi became widespread.
Gurudev:
There is a mantra that women in Bengal recite before sleeping: "Astikasya muner mata bhagini Vasukesthatha, Jaratkaru muner patni Mansa Devi namostute." It honors Astika, his mother Mansa, and his uncle Vasuki. Astika Muni was the one who protected the snake race. He went to King Janamejaya and requested him to stop the sacrifice, which he eventually did.
Gurudev:
Interestingly, there is a connection to the Mahabharata here. King Parikshit was the grandson of Abhimanyu (son of Arjuna). The story of the curse on King Parikshit is well-known. Once, while out hunting, he was caught in a heavy storm. He sought shelter and found a sage deep in meditation.
Gurudev:
Parikshit asked for water, but the sage, whose soul was deep in a yogic state, did not respond. In a moment of frustration, Parikshit found a dead snake and placed it around the sage's neck. The sage's son later saw this and cursed Parikshit, saying he would die from a snake bite within seven days.
Gurudev:
When the sage came out of his meditation, he was upset with his son for cursing such a good king. He went to Parikshit and informed him of the curse. Parikshit, realizing his mistake, spent his final seven days listening to the holy names of God (Hari Naam). On the seventh day, Takshaka bit him, leading to his death. This prompted his son Janamejaya to start the snake sacrifice, which was eventually stopped by Astika Muni.
Gurudev:
This site of the sacrifice, known as Parikshit Kund, still exists in Uttar Pradesh.
Disciple:
Thank you, Gurudev, for sharing this rare story that connects the Mahabharata, King Parikshit, and the lineage of sages and snakes. We will bring more stories in future episodes. Greetings, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Greetings, my son.
Spiritual Insight
This fascinating narrative weaves together multiple threads of Indian spiritual tradition—the birth of Astika Muni from the union of sage Jaratkaru and Mansa Devi, the great Sarpa Satra sacrifice organized by King Janamejaya to avenge his father Parikshit's death by snakebite, and the eventual salvation of the snake race through Astika's intervention. The story connects the Mahabharata lineage (Parikshit being Arjuna's grandson) with the origins of Nag Panchami worship. The article also shares the beloved Bengali folklore of Chand Sadagar and Behula, demonstrating how Mansa Devi's worship spread through the devout wife's determination to save her husband. The mantra "Astikasya muner mata bhagini Vasukesthatha" continues to be recited by women in Bengal before sleep, honoring the sage who saved the serpents and his divine mother.