Then, at the command of Vasuki, king of the serpents, his sister—the serpent woman—summoned her son Jaratkaru and spoke to him. “My son,” she said, “my brother gave me to your father for a purpose. That time has now come; you must do what is necessary.” Jaratkaru, hearing his mother’s words, asked her, “For what reason did my uncle give you to my father? Tell me the truth. Once I understand, I shall act accordingly.” With unwavering resolve, his mother—the well-wisher of her kin and sister to Vasuki—explained everything to him. “Listen carefully, my son. Kadru is known as the mother of all serpents. I will tell you why her angry curse befell her sons. Uccaiḥśravā, the king of horses, was not created by me falsely; my sons were wagered for Vinatā’s sake, and so they became servants. Because of this, in the sacrifice of Janamejaya, you and the other serpents are destined to be consumed by the wind-charioteer, perishing and passing to the world of the departed. “The god, the Grandfather of the worlds, addressed Kadru directly after she uttered her curse, saying, ‘So be it,’ and he was pleased with her words. At that time, when the nectar was churned, Vasuki, hearing the Grandfather’s words, sought refuge among the gods. The gods, having obtained the supreme nectar and accomplished their desire, brought my brother Vasuki before the Grandfather. Together with all the gods, Vasuki tried to appease the lotus-born one so that the curse might not take effect. “Vasuki, king of serpents, was deeply troubled for the sake of his kin, wondering how the curse of our mother could be averted. Then it was 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, the foremost of serpents, gave me to your noble father, treating me as if I were immortal. “Before the destined time had arrived, you were born from me. Now that the time has come, you must save us from the impending doom. Therefore, you must rescue my brother from the fire. Let not the promise made by your wise father be in vain—he accepted you so that we might be freed. What do you think, my son?” Thus addressed, Jaratkaru—also known as Āstīka—replied, “So be it.” He spoke to his mother, and then, comforting the sorrowful Vasuki as if reviving him, he declared, “I will deliver you, Vasuki, foremost of serpents. Hear this truth: I will free you from the curse. Be calm, O serpent; you have no cause for fear. I will do what is needed so that the king’s sacrifice brings about your welfare. “My words have never been false, not even among my own; how, then, could they be false now? I will go to the noble king Janamejaya, who is consecrated for the sacrifice. Today, with auspicious words, I will please the king, O uncle, so that the noble king’s sacrifice may be halted. Trust me completely, wise serpent king; let there be no doubt in your mind. “Āstīka, I am reeling, my heart is breaking,” Vasuki cried, “I cannot discern the directions, afflicted by the rod of Brahma.” But Āstīka reassured him, “You should not be troubled in any way, O best of serpents. I will dispel your fear that has arisen from the blazing fire. I will destroy the terrible rod of Brahma, powerful as the fire of time; do not be afraid here in any way.” With these words, Āstīka took upon himself the dreadful anguish of Vasuki, relieving him of his suffering, and departed swiftly. The best of the twice-born, Āstīka, went to the great sacrifice of Janamejaya, endowed with all virtues, for the deliverance of the serpent lords. Arriving there, he beheld the excellent sacrificial enclosure, radiant with many officiating priests who shone like the sun and fire. As Āstīka approached and attempted to enter, the gatekeepers stopped him. Desiring entry, the powerful ascetic praised the sacrifice. Having reached the foremost sacrificial hall, Āstīka, virtuous and renowned, praised the king of endless fame, the priests, the officiants, and the sacred fire alike. He spoke: “There was the Soma sacrifice, the sacrifice of Varuṇa, and that of Prajāpati at Prayāga; likewise, this sacrifice of yours, O foremost of the Bhāratas, O son of Parikṣit—may there be well-being for us and our loved ones. “One hears of a hundred sacrifices of Indra, and another hundred of equal greatness; likewise, this sacrifice of yours, O foremost of the Bhāratas, O son of Parikṣit—may there be well-being for us and our loved ones. “There was the sacrifice of Yama, of Harimedhas, and of King Rantideva; likewise, this sacrifice of yours, O foremost of the Bhāratas, O son of Parikṣit—may there be well-being for us and our loved ones. “There was the sacrifice of Gaya, of King Śaśabindu, and of King Vaiśravaṇa; likewise, this sacrifice of yours, O foremost of the Bhāratas, O son of Parikṣit—may there be well-being for us and our loved ones. “There was the sacrifice of Nṛga, of Ajamīḍha, and of King Daśaratha; likewise, this sacrifice of yours, O foremost of the Bhāratas, O son of Parikṣit—may there be well-being for us and our loved ones. “There is the sacrifice spoken of in heaven, of the divine son, of Yudhiṣṭhira, and of King Ajamīḍha; likewise, this sacrifice of yours, O foremost of the Bhāratas, O son of Parikṣit—may there be well-being for us and our loved ones. “There was the sacrifice of Kṛṣṇa, son of Satyavatī, where he himself performed the rite; likewise, this sacrifice of yours, O foremost of the Bhāratas, O son of Parikṣit—may there be well-being for us and our loved ones. “And here, assembled like the hosts of Indra, are these priests whose brilliance equals the sun; today, their knowledge cannot be measured, nor will the gifts offered to them ever be lost. “In all the worlds, there is no officiant equal to Dvaipāyana; this is my firm conviction. His disciples wander the earth, each skilled in their own sacred duties. “Vibhāvasu, of wondrous radiance, great-souled, golden-seeded, consumer of offerings, dark-tracked, with a whirling, blazing crest—this fire, O king, receives your oblation.” Thus, with gentle words and reverent praise, Āstīka sought to fulfill his promise and bring deliverance to the serpent race.