Chapter 42

Sauti continued, 'Hearing this, the king installed in the sacrifice became very sorry and urged the Hotri to do his duty. And as the Hotri, with mantras, began to pour clarified butter into the fire Indra himself appeared on the scene. And the illustrious one came in his car, adorned by all the gods standing around, followed by masses of clouds, celestial singers, and the several hevies of celestial dancing girls. And Takshaka anxious with fear, hid himself in the upper garment of Indra and was not visible. Then the king in his anger again said unto his mantra-knowing Brahmanas these words, bent upon the destruction of Takshaka. If the snake Takshaka be in the abode of Indra, cast him into the fire with Indra himself."

'Sauti continued, 'Urged thus by the king Janamejaya about Takshaka, the Hotri poured libations, naming that snake then staying there. And even as the libations were poured, Takshaka, with Purandarn himself, anxious and afflicted, became visible in a moment in the skies. Then Purandara, seeing that sacrifice, became much alarmed, and quickly casting Takshaka off, went "The Ritwiks then said, 'O king of kings, the sacrifice of thine is being performed duly. It behoveth thee, O Lord, to grant a boon now to this first of Brahmanas. "The Ritwiks said, 'O monarch, behold, Takshaka is soon coming under thy control! His terrible cries, and loud roar is being Astika spoke as follows, O Janamejaya, if thou wouldst grant me a boon, let this sacrifice of thine come to an end and let no more snakes fall into the fire. "Astika thereupon replied, Gold, silver or kine, I do not ask of thee, O monarch! But let thy sacrifice be ended so that my Best of the Brahmanas, ask some other boon. O, blessed be thou! But, O thou of Bhrigu's race, he did not beg any other boon. Then all the Sadasyas conversant with the Vedas told the king in one voice. Let the Brahmana receive his boon! "Suunaka said, "O son of a Suta, I desire to hear the names of all those snakes that fell into the fire of this snake-sacrifice!" "Sauti replied. "Many thousands and tens of thousands and billions of snakes fell into the fire. O most excellent Brahmana, so

hack to his own abode. After Indra had gone away, Takshaka, the prince of snakes, insensible with fear, was by virtue of the mantras, brought near enough the flames of the sacrificial fire!

"Janamejaya then said, Thou immeasurable one of such handsome and child-like features, I desire to grant thee a worthy boon. Therefore, ask thou that which thou desirest in thy heart. I promise thee, that I will grant it even if it be ungrantable.

heard. Assuredly, the snake hath been forsaken by the wielder of thunder. His body being disabled by your mantras, he is falling from heaven. Even now, rolling in the skies, and deprived of consciousness, the prince of snakes cometh, breathing

loudly. Sauti continued. 'While Takshaka, the prince of snakes was about to fall into the sacrificial fire, during those few moments

O Brahmana, the son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika, became exceedingly sorry and replied unto Astika thus, O illustrious one, gold, silver, kine, whatever other possessions thou desirest I shall give unto thee. But let not my sacrifice come to an end."

maternal relations be relieved." "Sauti continued, "The son of Parikshit, being thus addressed by Astika, repeatedly said this unto that foremost of speakers.

(Astika Parva continued)

great is the number that I am unable to count them all. So far, however, as I remember, hear the names I mention of the principal snakes cast into the fire. Hear first the names of the principal ones of Vasuki's race alone. of colour blue, red and white of terrible form and huge body and deadly poison. Helpless and miserable and afflicted with their mother's curse, they fell into the sacrificial fire like libations of butter. "Kotisa, Manasa, Purna, Cala, Pala Halmaka, Pichchala, Kaunapa, Cakra, Kalavega, Prakalana, Hiranyavahu, Carana,

Kakshaka, Kaladantaka these snakes born of Vasuki, fell into the fire. And. O Brahmana, numerous other snakes well-born.

and of terrible form and great strength, were burnt in the blazing fire. I shall now mention those born in the race of Takshaka.

Hear thou their names. Puchchandaka, Mandalaka, Pindasektri, Ravenaka; Uchochikha, Carava, Bhangas, Vilwatejas.

Virohana, Sili. Salakara, Muku, Sukumara, Pravepana, Mudgara and Sisuroman, Suroman and Mahahanu. These snakes horn of Takshaka fell into the fire. And Paravata, Parijata, Pandara, Harina, Krisa, Vihanga, Sarabha, Meda, Pramoda. Sauhatapana- -these born in the race of Airavata fell into the fire. Now hear, O best of Brahmanas, the names of the snakes I mention born in the race of Kauravya: Erika, Kundala Veni, Veniskandha, Kumaraka. Vahuka, Sringavera, Dhurtaka, Pratara and Astaka. There born in the race of Kauravya fell into the fire. Now hear the names I mention, in order, of those snakes endued with the speed of the wind and with virulent poison, born in the race of Dhritarashtra: Sankukarma, Pitharaka, Kuthara, Sukhana, and Shechaka: Purnangada, Puramukha, Prahasa, Sakuni, Dari, Amahatha, Kumathaka, Sushena, Vyaya, Bhairava, Mundavedanga, Pisanga, Udraparaka, Rishabhu, Vegavat, Pindaraka, Raktanga, Sarvasaranga, Samriddha, Patha and Vasakar Varahaka, Viranaka, Suchitra, Chitravegika, Parasara, Tarunaka, Maniskandha and Aruni.

"O Brahmana, thus I have recited the names of the principal snakes known widely for their achievements-I have not been able to name all, the number being countless. The sons of these snakes, the sons of those sons, that were burnt having fallen into the fire, I am unable to mention. They are so many! Some of three heads, some of seven, others of ten, of poison like unto the fire at the end of the yuga and terrible in form.-they were burnt by thousands!

"Many others, of huge bodies, of great speed, tall as mountain summits, of the length of a yama, of a yojana, and of two

yojanas, capable of assuming at will any form and of mastering at will any degree of strength, of poison like unto blazing fire, afflicted by the curse of a mother, were burnt in that great 'sacrifice."

(Astika Parva, continued)

"Santi said, "Listen now to another very wonderful incident in connection with Astika. When king Janamejaya was about to gratify Astika by granting the boon, the snake (Takshaka), thrown off Indra's hands, remained in mid air without actually falling. King Janamejaya thereupon became curious, for Takshaka, afflicted with fear, did not at once fall into the fire although libations were poured in proper form into the blazing sacrificial Agni in his name." "Saunaka said, "Was it, O Suta, that the mantras of those wise Brahmanas were not potent; since Takshaka did not fall into the

fire?

"Sauti replied. "Unto the unconscious Takshaka, that best of snakes, after he had been cast off Indra's hands, Astika had thrice said. Stay Stay. Stay. And he succeeded in staying in the skies, with afflicted heart, like a person somehow staying between the welkin and the earth,