O wise one, hear now how the compassionate Āstīka prepared to save the serpent race from destruction. With resolve shining in his heart, he spoke to his uncle, the noble serpent king Vāsuki, “Today, O uncle, I will please the king with auspicious words, so that the great sacrifice of the noble Janamejaya may be halted. Trust me completely, O wise serpent king, and let no doubt find a place in your mind.” But Vāsuki, tormented by fear for his kin, replied, his voice trembling, “Āstīka, my heart reels and breaks within me. I cannot discern the directions, so afflicted am I by the terrible rod of Brahma.” Seeing his uncle’s anguish, Āstīka comforted him with gentle assurance, “Do not be troubled in any way, best of serpents. I will dispel this fear that rises from the blazing fire. I will destroy the dreadful rod of Brahma, as powerful as the fire of Time itself. Have no fear here, O Vāsuki.” Thus, Āstīka took upon himself the heavy burden of Vāsuki’s anguish, relieving the serpent king, and departed swiftly for the sacrifice. Āstīka, foremost among the twice-born, endowed with all virtues and steadfast in his vow, made his way to the great sacrifice of King Janamejaya, intent on delivering the lords of serpents from ruin. Upon reaching the site, he beheld the splendid sacrificial enclosure, radiant with the presence of officiants who shone like the sun and fire itself. As Āstīka approached, the gatekeepers stopped him at the entrance. Desiring entry, the resolute ascetic praised the sacrifice with noble words. Advancing to the foremost sacrificial hall, he offered praises to the king of endless fame, to the priests, the officiants, and even to the sacred fire. With a voice clear and reverent, Āstīka extolled the sacrifice, saying, “At Prayāga, there were sacrifices to Soma, to Varuṇa, and to Prajāpati; likewise, may this sacrifice of yours, O Janamejaya, foremost of the Bhāratas and son of Parikṣit, bring well-being to us and our loved ones. There are a hundred sacrifices of Indra spoken of, and another hundred equal in number; likewise, may your sacrifice, O king, bring us prosperity. The sacrifices of Yama, Harimedhas, Rantideva, Gaya, Śaśabindu, Vaiśravaṇa, Nṛga, Ajamīḍha, Daśaratha, and the son of the god, as well as Yudhiṣṭhira and Ajamīḍha, are all renowned; may your sacrifice shine among them and bring us all good fortune.” He continued, “The sacrifice performed by Kṛṣṇa, son of Satyavatī, is famous; likewise, may your sacrifice be auspicious. Here, the assembled officiants shine like the sun, gathered as if for Indra’s own rite. Today, their knowledge is beyond reach, and the gifts given to them shall never be lost. There is no officiant in the worlds equal to Dvaipāyana—this is my firm conviction. His disciples, all skilled in their duties, roam the earth.” Praising the sacred fire, Āstīka said, “Vibhāvasu, of wondrous radiance, great-souled, golden-seeded, consumer of offerings, dark-tracked, with a whirling, blazing crest—this fire, O god, receives your oblation.” Then, turning to the king, he declared, “O king, in this world of living beings, there is none besides you who equals you in protecting the people. By your steadfastness, I am always reassured; you are like Varuṇa, Dharmarāja, or Yama. As Shakra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, is protector here, so are you the guardian of the people. In my view, you are the foremost among men; no other king has been born who equals you.” He likened Janamejaya to the mighty Khatvanga, Nabhaga, Dilipa, Yayati, and Mandhata, shining with the brilliance of the sun and ruling with noble vows like Bhīṣma. “Like Vālmīki, you conceal your strength; like Vasiṣṭha, your anger is restrained. Your sovereignty equals Indra’s, and your splendor shines like Nārāyaṇa’s. As Yama discerns righteousness and Krishna is endowed with virtues, so are you the abode of prosperity and the repository of sacrifices. In strength, you are like Dambhodbhava; in mastery of weapons, like Rāma; your brilliance matches Aurva and Trita, and you are as difficult to behold as Bhagiratha.” Pleased by such heartfelt praise, the entire assembly—king, priests, and fire-offerer—were filled with joy. Observing their auspicious gestures, King Janamejaya spoke, “Though he is but a boy, he speaks with the wisdom of an elder. I do not consider him a child, but a true elder. I wish to grant him a boon. O Brahmins, arrange this properly for me.” As the king prepared to speak, Takṣaka, the serpent, was swiftly approaching. The king, the giver of boons, addressed Āstīka, “Choose your boon.” But the Hotar priest, not entirely pleased, spoke, “Takṣaka does not come while this ritual continues.” The king, determined, declared, “Just as this ritual is completed for me, and just as Takṣaka comes quickly, so let all of you strive with utmost effort, for he is my enemy.” The Brahmins revealed, “O king, as our scriptures declare and as the fire proclaims, Takṣaka, afflicted by fear, is in Indra’s abode.” The knowledgeable charioteer, with red eyes and versed in ancient tales, addressed the king, “Drawing from ancient tradition, I now speak: Indra granted Takṣaka a boon—‘Stay here with me, well protected; fire will not burn you.’” At this, the lord—now freed from fear by the serpents—departed, pondering what would come to pass. Takṣaka, concealed in an upper garment and distressed by fear, found no comfort. The king, skilled in mantras and burning with anger, spoke again, “If Takṣaka is in Indra’s abode, O Brahmins, then let him be cast down together with Indra by the fire!” Since Takṣaka had not been specifically summoned, the Hotri priest offered oblations to call forth Takṣaka, the serpent. As the ritual offering was made, Takṣaka, accompanied by Purandara (Indra), appeared in the sky, greatly agitated. Thus unfolded these wondrous and grave events at the great snake sacrifice, as the fate of the serpents and the will of the king hung in the balance.