Uttanka, recognizing the young king before him as Parikshit's son, approached Janamejaya with concern and gravity. He addressed him, saying, “O best of kings, you do not yet know what actions are proper at their appointed time. Today, you act contrary to what should be done, neglecting what is right and engaging in what is not. Why should I plead with you now, when you show neither anger nor resolve?” Puzzled, Janamejaya replied, “I am unaware of any enmity, nor have I taken action against anyone. Tell me, O most fortunate one, what cause or enmity is there that I should know?” Uttanka spoke with sorrow, “O king, your father was slain by the wicked Takshaka.” He urged Janamejaya, “Gather your ministers and ask them about your father’s destruction.” Obediently, Janamejaya summoned his ministers, who informed him, “Your father was bitten by a snake and died, the victim of a Brahmin’s curse.” Janamejaya pondered this and said, “The sage’s curse is said to be the cause of my father’s death. But tell me, O best of sages, what fault lies with Takshaka?” Uttanka explained, “Takshaka bribed Kasyapa and turned him away. Thus, Takshaka is truly your enemy and the killer of your father, O king.” He continued, “Long ago, Ruru’s wife was bitten by a snake and died. The sage Ruru, stricken with grief, did not marry her, but his beloved was restored to life.” “Afterward, Ruru made a terrible vow: ‘Whichever snake I see, I will kill with a weapon.’ With this vow, he roamed the earth, weapon in hand, slaying any snake he found.” “One day, in the forest, he saw a dreadful and aged Dundubha and approached, staff raised to strike. As he angrily struck at it, the Dundubha spoke: ‘I have done you no wrong, O sage; why do you wish to kill me?’” Ruru replied, “My beloved, so dear to my life, was bitten by a snake and died. In my grief, O serpent, I vowed to destroy all snakes.” The Dundubha answered, “I do not bite; there are other serpents who do. Because of the nature of my body, you should not harm me.” Uttanka continued, “Hearing these gentle, human words from the serpent, Ruru asked, ‘Who are you, and how did you become a Dundubha?’” The serpent revealed, “I was once a Brahmin, O sage. My friend was Khagama, a Brahmin, righteous, truthful, and self-controlled. Out of foolishness, I deceived him, making him cross over as a snake, and terrified him while he was in his sacred fire house. Trembling, he cursed me, ‘Become a snake, you dull-witted one, for you have wronged me.’ I earnestly begged his forgiveness, and, his anger softened, he declared, ‘You will be freed from this curse by Ruru, O serpent.’ He said to me, ‘Surely you are the son of Pramati.’ I am Ruru, a serpent; listen to my supreme words.” He continued, “Nonviolence is the highest duty for Brahmins; there is no doubt. Compassion must be shown everywhere by the wise Brahmin. Except in sacrifice, violence is not proper for a Brahmin.” Sūta, the narrator, adds, “Freed from the serpent birth, that Brahmin became Ruru again. Having ended his curse and abandoned violence, he married the girl who had been restored to life.” Uttanka reminded Janamejaya, “Recall the slaughter of all serpents and the enmity that arose. Yet you have abandoned enmity and live among the serpents. Without anger towards those who killed his father, O best of Bharatas, your father died in the sky, deprived of ritual bathing and gifts.” He urged, “O king, perform the rescue for him by killing the serpents. He does not know his father’s enmity, for he died before his time. Your father’s misfortune will remain until you destroy them. Perform the sacrifice to Ambā, the supreme goddess, O best of kings. Remembering your father’s enmity, conduct the serpent sacrifice.” Sūta narrates, “Hearing these words, King Janamejaya was overwhelmed. Tears fell from his eyes, and he was deeply distressed. ‘Shame on me, with such poor judgment, who acted in vain! My father has met a terrible fate, afflicted by serpents. Today I will begin the sacrifice and make amends to my father. Having killed the serpents, as the fire blazes, I will fulfill my duty.’” He summoned his ministers and commanded, “Let the best among you prepare the sacrificial materials as appropriate. Mark out a pure land on the bank of the Ganges with the foremost Brahmins. Build a splendid pavilion with a hundred pillars in good order. Prepare the altar for the sacrifice today. For this purpose, a vast serpent sacrifice must be arranged. Takshaka will be the sacrificial animal, and the great sage Uttanka will be the chief priest. Quickly summon the Brahmins, all-knowing and versed in the Vedas.” Sūta continues, “The wise ministers acted as the king commanded. They gathered all the sacrificial materials and prepared the extensive altar. As the offering began, Takshaka, chief among serpents, fled in terror. He hurried to Indra, crying, ‘Save me!’ Indra comforted the terrified Takshaka, seating him on his own throne and assuring him, ‘Be fearless, serpent.’ Knowing Takshaka had taken refuge with Indra, the sage gave him assurance of safety.” Yet Uttanka, disturbed by this, summoned Indra and invited him. At that moment, Takshaka remembered the wandering sage who had arisen from the line of Yāyāvara.