Though the great snake sacrifice was being performed with fervor and all the proper rites, Takshaka, the mighty serpent, gripped by fear, did not fall into the fire as the others did. The assembled wise Brahmins, chanting their potent mantras, wondered: why, amidst all their efforts, did Takshaka remain unharmed? At that moment, Astika, the noble Brahmin youth, called out three times to Takshaka, who was terrified and senseless, suspended from Indra’s hand above the fire: “Stop! Stop! Stop!” Takshaka hung in the air, his heart torn with distress, caught between earth and sky, neither falling nor escaping. Urged by the assembly, King Janamejaya spoke with resolve: “Let it be as Astika has said.” He declared, “Let the rite be completed; let the serpents be comforted; let Astika be pleased; let the Suta’s words be fulfilled.” Instantly, a joyous tumult arose as Astika’s boon was granted, and the sacrifice ceased at once. Thus, the great sacrifice of King Parikshit’s son, Janamejaya of the Bharatas, came to an end, filling the king with joy. To the priests, the assembly, and all who had gathered, Janamejaya gave wealth in hundreds and thousands. He bestowed gifts upon the red-eyed Suta and the architect, honoring them for their earlier words about ending the serpent sacrifice. The Brahmin who had been the cause of this turning point received much wealth, along with proper gifts of food and clothing. Pleased with Astika, the king of immeasurable prowess performed the concluding bath as prescribed by the rites. His mind satisfied, Janamejaya sent Astika, accomplished and wise, back to his home. He said to Astika, “You must return again; you shall be a participant in my great horse sacrifice.” Astika replied, “So be it,” and departed joyfully, having accomplished his unparalleled task and pleased the king. Astika, exceedingly delighted, went to his maternal uncle and mother, embraced them, and recounted all that had happened. Hearing this, the assembled serpents, now freed from delusion, became pleased with Astika and said, “Choose a boon as you wish.” Again and again, the serpents asked, “O wise one, what shall we do for you today that is pleasing? We are delighted and all have been freed; tell us, dear child, what we may do for you today.” Astika requested, “In the evening and morning, those Brahmins and pure-minded men, and others in the world, who recite this account of righteousness—let there be no fear from you for them.” The delighted serpents granted the boon: “So be it, this boon is granted to you in truth. Out of affection, we are ready to do whatever you desire, O nephew.” Astika continued, “Whoever remembers Asita, Artimant, and Sunitha, whether by day or night, shall have no fear of serpents. O serpents, he who was born of Jaratkaru and the mighty Jaratkaru, Astika, who protected you at the serpent sacrifice—remembering him, O blessed ones, you must not harm me. O serpent, withdraw, blessings to you; go away, great venomous one. At the end of Janamejaya’s sacrifice, remember the words of Astika. Any serpent who, after hearing the words of Astika, does not turn back, his head will split into a hundred pieces like the fruit of the simshapa tree.” Thus addressed by the assembled foremost serpents, Astika, the best of the twice-born, having received great satisfaction, prepared to depart. The king of the nagas, having spoken thus among the serpents, returned to his own abode with his kin. Having freed the serpents from the sacrifice, the righteous Astika, surrounded by sons and grandsons, went in due time to his end. So, I have recounted to you the story of Astika as it happened; by reciting it, there is nowhere any fear from serpents. Just as your ancestor Pramati told this tale to his son Ruru when asked, O best of Bhargavas, so have I related it to you. What I have heard, I have told accordingly—the glorious story of Astika, the sage, from the beginning. O Brahman, your curiosity, having heard the words of Dundubha, may now be dispelled. By hearing the righteous tale of Astika, which increases merit, one becomes freed from all sin and attains long life. From the lineage of Bhrigu onward, you have heard the great narrative. O Saute, I am pleased by your telling. I shall further question you, O son of Suta, as is proper; those stories composed by Vyasa, please narrate them to me again. In that exceedingly difficult snake-sacrifice of the great souls, among the rituals and the members of the assembly, whatever wondrous stories arose there, according to their subjects, we wish to hear from you, O Saute; please recount them to us. Among the rituals, the twice-born recited stories from the Vedas, but Vyasa narrated the wondrous, great tale of the Bharata. The narrative of the Mahabharata, which brings fame to the Pandavas, was then recounted by Krishna Dvaipayana when questioned by Janamejaya. He made it heard properly at that time during the rituals; I wish to hear that auspicious tale in the proper manner. Born from the ocean of the mind of the great sage of purified soul, narrate this story, O best among the virtuous, which is filled with all gems.