Once, long ago, the serpents were burdened by a terrible curse from their own mother. She had declared that, in the great snake-sacrifice of King Janamejaya, the Wind-charioteer would burn them all. Fearing the fulfillment of this curse, the noblest among the serpents sought a way to avert their doom. In their wisdom, they gave their sister in marriage to a great sage, a virtuous soul of immense austerity and renown. The sage accepted the serpent maiden according to sacred rites. From their union was born a son named Āstīka—a child of profound intellect and purity. Āstīka grew to be an ascetic of great soul, accomplished in the Vedas and all their branches, impartial to all beings, and a remover of fear from both his father and mother. Time passed, and the Pandava king, Janamejaya, resolved to perform a mighty snake-sacrifice, renowned as the Sarpa Satra, with the intent to destroy the serpents. As the sacrificial fires blazed and the destruction of the serpent race seemed certain, Āstīka, steadfast in austerity and compassion, intervened. Through his wisdom and penance, he released the serpents from the curse, saving his brothers, maternal uncles, and many other serpents, as well as his ancestors, by securing progeny and performing austerities. By observing various vows, self-study, and sacrifices, Āstīka satisfied the gods with gifts and offerings, freeing himself from all debts. Having fulfilled the duties of celibacy, perpetuated his lineage, and relieved the great burden of his ancestors, Āstīka’s father, Jaratkaru, attained heaven together with his forefathers, his righteousness perfected through the birth of such a son. Thus, after a long time, Jaratkaru ascended to the heavenly realms, his lineage and duties fulfilled. This is the story of Āstīka as it truly happened. Now, O sage, tell me what else you would like to hear. Hearing this, Śaunaka, chief among the Bhṛgus, addressed Sauti, the storyteller: “O Sauti, your words are sweet and smooth, delighting us as a father’s voice would. Your father always honored us with attentive listening. Please, recount once more the story of Āstīka, as you heard it from your father, for our desire to listen is very great.” Sauti replied, “O long-lived one, I shall narrate the tale of Āstīka as my father told it, faithfully and in detail. Long ago, in the age of the gods, there were two wondrous sisters, daughters of Prajāpati—Kadrū and Vinatā—both beautiful and radiant. They became the wives of the great sage Kaśyapa. Pleased with their devotion, Kaśyapa offered them boons of their choosing. Kadrū, filled with joy, asked for a thousand sons, all equal in splendor. Vinatā, desiring quality over quantity, asked for two sons, each superior in strength, energy, beauty, and prowess to Kadrū’s thousand. Kaśyapa granted their wishes. Satisfied, the two sisters entered the forest to fulfill their destinies. Vinatā laid two eggs, which her attendants carefully tended. Kadrū’s eggs, numbering a thousand, were also watched over. For five hundred years, the eggs were kept warm and moist. In time, Kadrū’s thousand sons hatched, emerging as radiant serpents. But from Vinatā’s eggs, no offspring appeared. Ashamed and longing for a son, Vinatā performed austerities. Unable to wait any longer, she broke open one egg. Inside, she saw a son, but his body was only half-formed. Angered by his premature birth, the son cursed his mother: “Because of your impatience, you shall become a slave for five hundred years to your rival, Kadrū. But take heart—your second son will release you from bondage, provided you do not repeat your mistake and open his egg before its time. Wait patiently for his birth.” With these words, the half-formed son, Aruṇa, rose into the sky. He became the charioteer of the sun, blazing with his own brilliance, and was appointed by the radiant lord of a thousand rays to guide his celestial chariot, illuminating the worlds at dawn. In due time, Vinatā’s second egg hatched, and Garuḍa was born—the mighty devourer of serpents. As soon as he emerged, Garuḍa soared into the sky, seeking the food destined for him by the Creator. It was at this very moment that Kadrū and Vinatā beheld the approach of Uccaiḥśravas, the supreme horse born from the churning of the nectar. All the gods, delighted, worshipped this celestial horse, the jewel among steeds. Thus unfolded the wondrous story of the birth of Āstīka, the serpents, Aruṇa, and Garuḍa, and the intricate destinies of Kadrū and Vinatā, as heard from the ancient sages.