“Sauti continued, ‘Thus addressed, Astika said unto his mother, ‘Yes, I will.’ And he then addressed the afflicted Vasuki, and as if infusing life into him, said, ‘O Vasuki, thou best of snakes, thou great being, truly do I say, I shall relieve thee from that curse. Be easy, O snake! There is no fear any longer. I shall strive earnestly so that good may come! Nobody hath ever said that my speech, even in jest, hath proved false. Hence on serious occasions like this, I need not say anything more, O uncle, going thither today I shall gratify, with words mixed with blessings, the monarch Janamejaya installed at the sacrifice, so that, O excellent one, the sacrifice may stop. O highminded one, O king of the snakes, believe all that I say. Believe me, my resolve can never be unfulfilled.’Mbh 1.54.8 · Mahabharata · ADI PARVA
Mbh 1.54.8
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
FaithSpeechWorshipFamilyFearLeadershipSuffering
Faith in other traditions
The same theme, as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Taoism address it.
For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?Romans 3:3 · Bible · Romans
And when it is said unto them: believe as the people believe, they say: shall we believe as the foolish believe? are not they indeed the foolish? But they know not.Quran 2:13 · Quran · The Cow
Whatever place a faithful, virtuous, celebrated, and wealthy man chooses, there he is respected.Dhp 21.303 · Dhammapada · Miscellaneous
In the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there were (their rulers). In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them. Thus it was that when faith (in the Tao) was deficient (in the rulers) a want of faith in them ensued (in the people).Tao Te Ching 17.1 · Tao Te Ching
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