Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1517

c7.1517

When Jīmūtavāhana heard this story his heart was filled with pity. He decided to save the life of at least one serpent by giving his body instead. But the presence of Mitrāvasu was an obstacle to carry out his wish. At that particular moment a minister of Viśvāvasu appeared there and took away Mitrāvasu saying that he was wanted by his father. Left alone, Jīmūtavāhana stood there when he saw a young man coming with an old woman who was crying bitterly. On enquiry Jīmūtavāhana learned that in accordance with the agreement with Garuḍa, the old woman was bringing her only son Śaṅkhacūḍa to give him as food to Garuḍa. Jīmūtavāhana told them that he would take the place of Śaṅkhacūḍa that day. The mother and the son reluctantly agreed to his desire. The old woman went away crying and Śaṅkhacūḍa went to the temple.