Brahmā, the Grandsire of all beings, addressed the serpents with stern words: “Because of you, humans and cattle perish swiftly when bitten; through my power, you continually bring destruction to mankind. Therefore, in this very age, as a result of my terrible wrath, a dreadful destruction will befall your race in the era of Vaivasvata. In that time, another king of the lunar dynasty, Janamejaya, will burn you in the serpent-sacrifice, casting you into the blazing fire. Moreover, Garuḍa will devour your sons and maternal uncles; thus, all of you with evil minds will face destruction.” Having pronounced this curse, Brahmā condemned a thousand serpent clans, sparing only one. The foremost among the serpents trembled with fear. They fell at his feet and pleaded, “O Lord, creator of all beings, our very nature is crooked. You yourself have fashioned us full of poison, cruel, with biting fangs—why then do you now curse us?” Brahmā replied, “Even if I created you with crooked intent, what of it? Continue to devour freely, without fear.” The serpents implored further, “O Lord of gods, establish boundaries and separate places for humans and for us; make an agreement, O Lord. The curse you have given, that Janamejaya will destroy us in the serpent-sacrifice, will bring about our utter ruin.” To this, Brahmā said, “A Brāhmaṇa named 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. Therefore, listen attentively to my command: Sutala, Vitala, and Talātala—these three kinds of abodes have been given to you; there you shall go. There, by my command, you will enjoy many kinds of pleasures. Remain there until the seventh period of time; then, again, at the beginning of Vaivasvata’s era, a descendant of Kaśyapa will arise. He will be the heir of all the gods—Suparṇa, the devourer of serpents. Then, 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. Devour living beings as ordained by time, and likewise when harm is done to you by humans. But 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, or destruction will come upon you.” Thus instructed by Brahmā, all the serpents departed to the realm called Sutala. There, they delighted in many pleasures, playfully established in Rasātala. Having received both the curse and the favor from the Four-Faced One, they remained in the abode of Pātāla, inwardly content. Yet, as time passed, the serpents again reflected, “A king named Bharata, of the Pāṇḍava line and great fame, will arise; by some divine arrangement, he will bring about our destruction. How is it that the Lord of the three worlds, the Grandsire of all, the creator of beings, worshipped by the universe, has placed a curse upon us? Apart from the god Viśvacina, there is no other refuge. In the splendid mansion of Vairāja, that god resides. Now dwelling at Puṣkara, he is performing a sacrifice. Let us go and propitiate him; if pleased, he will grant us a boon.” With this resolve, all the Nāgas journeyed to Puṣkara. Upon reaching the mountain of sacrifice, they took shelter at a rocky slope. Seeing the Nāgas thus exhausted, cool streams of water flowed forth, emerging northward, bringing comfort to all. From that event, O best of the Bharatas, the holy Nāga-tīrtha arose on earth. Some called it Nāga-kuṇḍa, others spoke of it as a river. That sacred place, among all holy waters, destroys the poison of serpents. Mortals who bathe there on the fifth day of the bright fortnight ensure that their lineage is never troubled by serpents. Those who perform ancestral rites for their forefathers there receive the highest abode granted by Brahmā—there is no doubt. Knowing the fear of the serpents, Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds, again addressed them: “That fifth lunar day is blessed, auspicious, and removes all sins. On that very sacred day, the task concerning the serpents was accomplished. On that day, whoever avoids pungent and sour foods, and bathes the serpents with milk, finds that the serpents become friendly to him.” At this point, Bhīṣma inquired, “How did Śivadūtī arise, and by whom was she established? Tell me all of this in its true nature, O great one.” Pulastya replied, “Śivā, with her mind set on austerity, reached the blue mountain. The fierce one, born from her matted locks, is her power. Hear, O king, of her vow: ‘Having performed austerity for a long time, I will consume the entire world.’ With this resolve, the radiant goddess undertook the five-fire austerity. At another time, while the goddess was performing supreme penance, there was an asura named Ruru, of great splendor, who had received a boon from Brahmā. In the midst of the ocean lies a city called Ratna, exceedingly wealthy. There, that lord of the Daityas resided, terrifying to all the gods, attended by countless hundreds of thousands and crores of the best asuras. Honored by the asuras, glorious like a second Namuci, after a long time, he went to the city of the guardians of the worlds.