Jaratkaru, his lips trembling with emotion, turned to his wife and spoke: “You have shown me disrespect, O serpent woman. I will not remain with you any longer; I shall depart as I came. You, slender-thighed one, had no power to prevent the sun from setting while I slept. It is now in my heart to leave at the right time, for no one wishes to dwell where they are disrespected. What then of one devoted to righteousness, or of me, or of anyone like me?” Thus addressed by her husband, Jaratkaru was shaken at heart. In the assembly of Vasuki, the serpent king, his sister replied, her voice steady: “O Brahmana, I awakened you not out of disrespect. I did so only to ensure that you, O Brahmana, would not incur a lapse of righteousness. I spoke as instructed by my husband, the great ascetic Jaratkaru.” But the sage, seized by anger and intent on abandoning his serpent-wife, said firmly, “My words are never false; I shall leave you, O serpent-woman. This was the agreement we made before, O gentle one. I have lived happily with you—now, O auspicious one, tell your brother. When I am gone from here, O timid one, let him know that I have departed; and you, when I have left, should not grieve.” Thus addressed, that faultless woman replied to Jaratkaru, her mind filled with anxiety and sorrow. With words choked by tears, her face parched, hands joined in reverence, and eyes brimming, she spoke: Steadying herself, though her left thigh trembled with emotion, she pleaded, “O knower of righteousness, you should not abandon me, who am without fault. I have remained steadfast in righteousness, always devoted to what is dear and beneficial to you. The reason I was given to you, O best of Brahmanas—if I, unfortunate and unsuccessful, have not fulfilled that, what will Vasuki say of me? I am among relatives afflicted by our mother’s curse, O best of men. The offspring desired from you has not yet appeared; by obtaining a child from you, my relatives would find well-being. This union with you, O Brahmana, should not be in vain for me; desiring the welfare of my relatives, O lord, I entreat you. Having placed this indistinct embryo within me, O noble one, how can you, great-souled one, wish to abandon me and go to the serpents?” Thus addressed, the sage, rich in austerity, replied to his wife, “If your words are fitting and proper, O Jaratkaru—know, O fortunate one, that you do indeed have a child in your womb, blazing like fire—a sage, supremely righteous, learned in the Vedas and their branches.” Having spoken thus, the righteous and great sage Jaratkaru, firm in his resolve, departed once more for severe austerities. As soon as her husband had departed, Jaratkaru went to her brother Vasuki and reported everything exactly as it had happened. Hearing of this great misfortune, Vasuki, foremost of serpents, became even more dejected and spoke to his sorrowful sister: “You know, O gentle lady, what is to be done and the reason for your giving; if it is for the welfare of the serpents, let your son be for that purpose. He, endowed with great energy, will surely deliver us from the snake-sacrifice; thus it was declared by the Grandsire and the gods. O fortunate one, is there a child in your womb from that best of sages? I do not wish that the effort of that wise one should be fruitless. Indeed, it is not proper for me to question you about such a matter; yet, because it is so weighty, I have asked. Knowing your husband’s great austerity and difficult nature, I will never pursue him, lest he should curse me. Tell me, O gentle one, all your husband’s actions, and remove from my heart the grievous thorn that has long been lodged there.” Jaratkaru replied, consoling her distressed brother Vasuki: “That great-souled, austere one was questioned by me for the sake of offspring; he gave the answer ‘There is,’ and then departed from me. Even among his own, I do not recall him ever speaking falsely; what was once spoken by him, O king, he will fulfill in due time. You should not be troubled, O serpent, regarding this matter; a son will be born to you, radiant as fire and the sun. Having said this, my husband, rich in austerity, departed, O brother; therefore, let this great sorrow that dwells in your heart be dispelled.” Hearing this, Vasuki, king of serpents, was filled with great joy and accepted his sister’s words, saying, “So be it.” With soothing words, gifts, and honor, the best of serpents worshipped his own sister, who was of lovely form. Meanwhile, the embryo within her, possessing great energy and brilliance, grew like the waxing moon in the bright fortnight. In due time, the sister of the serpent king gave birth to a boy, radiant as a divine child, who removed the fear of both father and mother. He grew up there, in the house of the serpent king, and learned the Vedas and their branches from Chyavana, son of Bhrigu. Even as a boy, he performed vows and was endowed with intelligence, virtue, and good qualities; his name became known in the world as Astika. Because his father, while he was still in the womb, departed saying, “He exists,” he became widely known by the name Astika.