At the great snake sacrifice of King Janamejaya, son of Parikshit, many illustrious sages and Brahmanas assembled. Among them was the venerable Vyasa himself, accompanied by his sons and disciples—Uddalaka, Pramataka, Shvetaketu, and Pingala. Also present were Asita, Devala, the divine sage Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kumda-Jathara, and the Brahmana Kalaghat. There was Vatsya, the aged and devoted Shrutashrava, always immersed in recitation and study, as well as Kohala, Devasharma, Maudgalya, and Samasaurabha. Alongside these, countless other Brahmanas, all accomplished in the Vedas, graced the sacrifice with their wisdom and presence. As the priests poured sacred oblations into the blazing fire, the serpents began to fall into the sacrificial flames—terrible and fearsome, striking terror into the hearts of all living beings. The fire raged day and night, and streams flowed with the fat and marrow of the serpents, filling the air with a tumultuous, overpowering scent as the serpents burned. From the sky, the serpents kept falling, their cries unceasing, and they were fiercely consumed by the sacrificial fire. But Takshaka, the mighty lord of serpents, having heard of King Janamejaya’s great sacrifice, sought safety. He hurried to the celestial abode of Indra, king of the gods. There, Takshaka, fearful and conscious of his own transgression, recounted all that had transpired and sought refuge with Indra. Indra, greatly pleased, reassured Takshaka, saying, “Here, Takshaka, you have nothing to fear. No harm will come to you from this serpent-sacrifice. In the past, I have propitiated the Grandsire for your sake; let your anxiety leave you.” Thus comforted, Takshaka dwelled content and untroubled in Indra’s mansion. Meanwhile, Vasuki, chief of the serpents, was left with only a handful of his kin as he watched his people fall endlessly into the flames. A dreadful despair seized him; his heart reeled with grief and fear. Turning to his sister, he cried, “My limbs burn, dear one, and I cannot see the directions. My mind is confused, and I feel myself sinking. My vision whirls, my heart is torn—I am helpless and ready to fall into that blazing fire. The sacrifice of Parikshit’s son is underway, bent on our destruction. Surely, I must go to the realm of the dead. But now, sister, the time has come for which I gave you to Jaratkaru before. Save us and our kin! It is said that Astika will oppose the sacrifice for the sake of the serpents; the Grandsire himself foretold this. Therefore, go to your son Astika, honored by elders and learned in the Vedas, and ask him to secure freedom for me and my household today.” Obedient to Vasuki’s command, his sister, the serpent woman, summoned her son Jaratkaru. She spoke to him, “My son, I was given to your father by my brother for a reason. Now that time has come—do what must be done.” Jaratkaru asked, “Mother, for what reason did my uncle give you to my father? Tell me truly, and I will act accordingly.” She, ever devoted to her kin, explained everything to her son. She told him of Kadru, the mother of all serpents, and the reason for her angry curse upon her sons. “Uccaiḥśravā, the king of horses, was not made by me falsely. My sons were wagered for Vinata’s sake, to become her servants. Because of this, in Janamejaya’s sacrifice, you will be consumed by the wind-charioteer; there you will perish and go to the world of the departed. The god, the grandfather of the worlds, approved her words, saying, ‘So be it,’ and was pleased. When the nectar was churned, Vasuki, hearing the Grandsire’s words, sought refuge with the gods. All the gods, having attained the nectar and their purpose, brought my brother forward to the Grandsire. Together, they sought to appease the lotus-born one, hoping the curse would not come to pass. But Vasuki, distressed for his kin, asked how the curse might be averted. The Grandsire declared: ‘When Jaratkaru marries a wife named Jaratkaru, a twice-born son will be born who will release the serpents from the curse.’ Hearing this, Vasuki gave me to your noble father, hoping for our deliverance. Before the destined time arrived, you were born from me. Now that time is here—save us from fear! Save my brother from the fire, and let not your wise father’s promise be in vain. He gave you to us for our liberation. What do you think, my son?” Thus addressed, Astika replied with resolve, “So be it.” He comforted his sorrowful uncle Vasuki, as though reviving him. “I will deliver you, Vasuki, foremost of serpents. This I promise: I will free you from the curse. Be calm, O serpent; you have no cause for fear. I will strive so that the king’s sacrifice brings about your welfare. My words have never been false, not even among my own kin—how, then, could they be otherwise? I will go now to the noble King Janamejaya, who is consecrated for the sacrifice.