In the midst of the great assembly, a voice rose in praise of the king, extolling his virtues and steadfastness. “O king,” it was said, “among all living beings, there is none in this world who equals you in protecting the people. By your unwavering resolve, I am always reassured; truly, you are like Varuna, Dharmaraja, or Yama himself. Just as Shakra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, is the guardian of this world, so too are you the protector of your people. In my eyes, you are the foremost among men, and no other king has been born who can match you. Your might is like that of Khatvanga, Nabhaga, Dilipa, Yayati, and Mandhata. Your brilliance rivals the radiance of the sun, and you rule with noble vows, just as Bhishma did. Like Valmiki, you conceal your strength; like Vasishtha, your anger is restrained. Your sovereignty is equal to Indra’s, and your splendor shines like that of Narayana. Just as Yama discerns righteousness, and Krishna is adorned with all virtues, you are the abode of prosperity like the Vasus, and the very repository of sacrifices. In strength, you are equal to Dambhodbhava. In mastery of weapons, you are like Rama himself. Your brilliance is as great as Aurva’s and Trita’s, and you are as difficult to behold as Bhagiratha. Thus praised, the king, the assembly, the priests, and the fire-offerer were all pleased. Observing their auspicious gestures, King Janamejaya then spoke. He said, “Though he is but a boy, he speaks with the wisdom of an elder. I do not regard him as a child, but as a sage. I wish to grant him a boon. O Brahmins, please arrange this for me.” At that moment, the threat of Takshaka loomed, for it was said that Takshaka was swiftly approaching. When the king, the generous giver of boons, addressed the Brahmin, he said, “Choose your boon.” The hotar, though not entirely pleased, replied, “Takshaka does not come while this ritual is ongoing.” The king then declared, “As soon as this sacrifice is complete and Takshaka comes quickly, let all of you strive with utmost effort, for he is my enemy.” The Brahmins explained, “As our scriptures declare, as the fire proclaims, Takshaka, afflicted by fear, is in Indra’s abode.” The charioteer, a man of great soul and ancient wisdom, confirmed this, saying, “Indra granted Takshaka a boon, O king: ‘Stay here with me, well protected; fire will not burn you.’” Thus, freed from fear by the serpents, Takshaka remained with Indra. But the king, intent on his purpose, pondered the matter deeply. Takshaka, concealed in an upper garment and distressed by fear, found no comfort. Growing angry and desirous of Takshaka’s destruction, the king, versed in mantras, spoke again: “If Takshaka is in Indra’s abode, O Brahmins, then let him be cast down together with Indra by the fire.” Since King Janamejaya had not yet specifically summoned Takshaka, the Hotri priest offered oblations to call forth the serpent. As the oblation was made, Takshaka, accompanied by Purandara (Indra), appeared in the sky, greatly agitated. But Purandara, seeing the terrible sacrifice, entered it with Takshaka, and then, abandoning the frightened serpent, returned to his own abode. When Indra had departed, Takshaka, overcome by terror and confusion, was helplessly drawn by the power of the mantra toward the sacrificial flames. Seeing this, the officiating priests exclaimed, “This Takshaka is coming swiftly under your control, O king! His terrible, fearsome roar can be heard as he cries out. Surely, the wielder of the thunderbolt has abandoned him, and he is cast down from the heavens, terrified by the mantra. Reeling in the sky, his senses lost, the lord of serpents approaches, breathing heavily in distress.” The priests assured the king, “Your sacrifice proceeds properly, O king. Now you should grant a boon to this foremost of Brahmins.” Turning to the youthful and immeasurable Astika, the king said, “Choose whatever your heart desires, and if it is possible, I shall grant it to you.” As Takshaka, lord of serpents, was about to fall into the fire, Astika intervened and spoke: “If you wish to grant me a boon, O Janamejaya, I choose this: let your sacrifice cease, and let no more serpents fall into the fire.” Though not pleased in his heart, the son of Parikshit replied, “Gold, silver, cows, and whatever else you desire, O illustrious one, I shall give you as a boon. But let my sacrifice not be stopped.” Astika answered, “Gold, silver, cows—I do not ask these from you, O king. Let your sacrifice cease. May there be well-being for my mother’s lineage.” Again, King Janamejaya pleaded, “Choose another boon, good sir, O best of the twice-born.” But Astika, son of Bhrigu, asked for nothing else. Then all the learned Vedic scholars present spoke together to the king, “Let the Brahmin obtain his boon.” After the sacrifice was halted, the king expressed his curiosity: “Of the serpents who fell into the sacrificial fire at this serpent-sacrifice, I wish to hear the names of them all, O son of Suta.” Vaisampayana replied, “Thousands, tens of thousands, and crores perished here; their numbers are so great that it is impossible to name them all. But listen as I recite the names of the principal serpents, as remembered, who were offered into the fire. “Hear from me, in order of prominence, the noble-born serpents of Vasuki’s line—dark, red, white, fierce, massive, and brimming with venom. Helpless, tormented by their mothers’ words and the rod, pitiable, they were summoned: Shala, Pala, Halimaka, Picchala, Manasa, and countless others—Picchala, Kaunapa, Chakra, Kalavega, Prakalana, Hiranyabahu, Sharana, Kakshaka, and Kaladantaka.” Thus, the story of the great serpent sacrifice and the deliverance of the serpent race was told, with all its drama, compassion, and the intervention of wisdom and mercy.