Having listened to the words of all the serpents and to Vasuki’s anxious speech, Elapatra rose and addressed the assembly. He reminded Vasuki that he himself had previously revealed a plan for their deliverance. Yet, if Vasuki now wished to abandon it, Elapatra would not object, assuring him that the matter could rest as he desired. Still, Elapatra urged the serpents to hear him out, promising to speak truthfully. He declared that the dreaded sacrifice would not come to pass, nor would King Janamejaya—the Pandava from whom their great fear arose—fulfill such a role. Elapatra explained that when a royal person is struck by fate in this world, he must rely only on destiny, for there is no other refuge. Therefore, he advised the serpents to place their trust in destiny alone, and to listen carefully to his words. Recalling the moment when the curse was pronounced, Elapatra described how he had heard those fearful words while sitting in his mother’s lap, trembling. The gods, witnessing the suffering of the serpents from the fire of the curse, called out to the foremost serpents, “fierce, fierce!” Moved by compassion, the gods prayed for the well-being of the serpents afflicted by the curse. Elapatra questioned what father, having beloved sons, would curse them so—except for Kadru, fierce in form, who did so before the Grandsire, the lord of gods. He wondered why the Grandsire, when Kadru pronounced the curse, simply replied, “so be it,” instead of preventing it. The Grandsire explained that many serpents were fierce, terrifying in form, and full of poison, and that he had not restrained Kadru because he wished for the welfare of all creatures. He stated that among the snakes, those who were small, wicked in conduct, and abundant in poison would perish, but those who followed righteousness would be spared. Elapatra then revealed the cause by which the serpents would be liberated from their great fear. In the lineage of wandering ascetics, a great sage named Jaratkaru would be born, renowned for his austerity and self-restraint. This sage’s son, also named Jaratkaru and rich in austerity, would be called Astika. At the proper time, Astika would halt the sacrifice, and the righteous serpents would be freed. He asked the Grandsire whose daughter the sage Jaratkaru would marry. The Grandsire replied that a beautiful maiden, Vasuki’s sister, had been born, and Vasuki would give her to the sage. In her, Jaratkaru would beget a son accomplished in the Vedas and their branches; that maiden, named Sanama, would bear the illustrious twice-born. The gods agreed, saying, “Let it be so.” Then, having spoken these words to the gods, Virinchi, the Grandsire, departed to heaven. Elapatra concluded by urging Vasuki to give his sister, renowned as Jaratkaru, to the sage, for the appeasement of the serpents’ fear. He affirmed that he had heard this liberation would occur for the sage who lived by alms and followed good vows. Upon hearing Elapatra’s words, all the serpents rejoiced and praised him, exclaiming, “Well done, well done!” From that moment, Vasuki protected his sister, Jaratkaru, experiencing great joy. Not long after, a momentous event occurred: the gods and asuras churned the ocean, the abode of Varuna. Vasuki, the strongest of serpents, served as the rope for this churning. When the task was completed, Vasuki approached the Grandsire. The gods, together with Vasuki, addressed the Grandsire, explaining that Vasuki was greatly afflicted, fearful of the curse, and seeking the welfare of his kin. They beseeched the Grandsire to remove this mental anguish caused by his mother’s curse. The Grandsire replied that he had already spoken in thought what Elapatra had revealed. He directed Vasuki to fulfill that timely word: the wicked serpents would perish, but those who followed righteousness would be spared. Jaratkaru, the twice-born sage, had been born and was devoted to severe austerities. At the proper time, Vasuki should give his sister Jaratkaru to him as wife. The Grandsire affirmed that Elapatra’s words were for the welfare of the serpents and should be followed. Hearing the Grandsire’s command, Vasuki, still troubled by the curse, instructed all the serpents. He raised his sister for the sage Jaratkaru and assigned many serpents to always attend upon her, instructing them to inform the sage quickly when he wished to choose a wife, for that would be for their welfare. At this point, Sūtanandana inquired about the sage Jaratkaru, wishing to hear his story and the origin of his name. The explanation was given: “Decay (jara) means destruction, and kāru means body. His body was kāru, and through intense austerity, he gradually diminished it.” Thus, he was called Jaratkaru, and so was Vasuki’s sister. Hearing this, the righteous Śaunaka smiled and addressed Ugraśravas, saying, “It is fitting.