Pulastya, the wise sage, addressed King Bhīṣma, saying, “You know these events as they truly happened; speak of them faithfully, for such knowledge brings prosperity and destroys sin.” Pulastya acknowledged Bhīṣma’s curiosity, promising to recount everything as it occurred. He began by recalling how Bāṣkala was bound due to Viṣṇu’s stride—a story Bhīṣma had already heard. Then Pulastya spoke of the age of Vaivasvata, when the mighty king Bali conquered the three worlds. It was Viṣṇu, the supreme lord, who subdued Bali, going alone to his sacrifice and restraining him. Once more, Viṣṇu traversed the earth, appearing as Vāmana, the dwarf incarnation. Vāmana then became Trivikrama, expanding to measure the universe in three strides. Having told the origin of these events, Pulastya invited Bhīṣma to hear of the tīrtha of the Nāgas, the serpent deities. He named Ananta, Vāsuki, the powerful Takṣaka, Karkoṭa, and Padma, along with Mahāpadma, Śaṅkha, Kulika, and Aparājita—all descendants of the sage Kaśyapa. Through their progeny, the world became filled with serpents, whose deeds were crooked and fearsome, whose mouths were sharp, and whose bodies were full of poison. These serpents, Pulastya said, could reduce weak humans to ashes with a single bite; even seeing them could bring death. Day after day, terrible destruction occurred, and people everywhere perished upon witnessing their own ruin. In their desperation, all beings sought refuge with the Supreme Lord, Brahmā. Approaching the ancient, lotus-born Brahmā, the beings pleaded, “O Lord of gods, O Supreme Lord, you are the progenitor of the worlds. Protect us from the great serpents with sharp fangs; every day we suffer terrible fear. Humans, animals, birds, and all creatures are reduced to ashes. Your creation is being destroyed by the serpents. Knowing this, please do what is appropriate, O Grandfather.” Brahmā assured them, “I will provide protection for you all, without doubt. Return to your dwellings, free from illness and fear.” Greatly delighted, the beings praised Brahmā and departed. Once they were gone, Brahmā summoned the serpents, led by Vāsuki. In his wrath, he cursed them, declaring, “Day after day, you wicked serpents devour creatures. Humans and cattle bitten by you perish swiftly. By my power, you constantly bring destruction to mankind. Therefore, in this age, due to my terrible wrath, a dreadful destruction will befall your race in the era of Vaivasvata. Another king of the lunar dynasty, Janamejaya, will burn you in the serpent-sacrifice, in blazing fire. Garuḍa will devour your sons and maternal uncles; thus, destruction will come to all of you with evil minds.” Brahmā cursed a thousand serpent clans, leaving only one remaining. The foremost serpents trembled at his words, and falling at his feet, they pleaded, “Lord, you who bring forth beings, our nature is crooked. You yourself made us full of poison, cruel, and with biting fangs; why do you now curse us?” Brahmā replied, “Even if I created you with crooked intent, then what? Continue to devour freely, without fear.” Still, the serpents beseeched him, “O Lord of gods, establish boundaries and separate places for humans and for us; make an agreement, O Lord. The curse that Janamejaya will destroy us in the serpent-sacrifice will bring about our utter ruin.” Brahmā then declared, “One renowned as Jaratkaru, foremost knower of Brahman, will be born. The maiden Jaratkaru should be given to him; from her a son will be born. That Brāhmaṇa, purifier of your lineage, will protect you. Thus I establish an agreement between the Nāgas and humans.” He instructed them further, “Listen attentively to my command: Sutala, Vitala, and Talātala—these three kinds of abodes have been given to you; there you shall go. By my command, you will enjoy many kinds of pleasures there. Remain until the seventh period of time; then, again, at the beginning of Vaivasvata’s era, a descendant of Kaśyapa will arise—Suparṇa, the heir of all the gods, the devourer of serpents. The offspring of the serpents will be consumed by the radiant one. This will certainly come to pass; there is no doubt. All those serpents who are cruel and unruly will meet their end; it cannot be otherwise.” Brahmā continued, “Devour living beings as ordained by time, and likewise when harm is done to you by humans. Those humans who are protected by mantras, medicines, Garuḍa charms, and bindings—you must live in fear of them, and do not let your minds turn elsewhere; otherwise, destruction will come upon you.” Thus instructed by Brahmā, all the serpents went to Sutala. There, they remained, delighting in various pleasures, playfully established in Rasātala. In this way, they received both the curse and the favor from the Four-Faced One, Brahmā.