Takshaka, the prince of snakes whose
action gave rise to the sacrifice, on hearing about the sacrifice, went to
Indra and sought his protection, admitting his own sin of biting King Parikshit
to death. Indra gave him solace and granted him refuge in his abode.
Vasuki was grieved over many snakes getting killed and his own family getting reduced to only a few.
Vasuki was grieved over many snakes getting killed and his own family getting reduced to only a few.
He went
to his sister Jaratkaru and apprised her of the situation. Saying that his own turn to be drawn into the sacrificial fire might come that day, he pointed
out that the time had come to fulfill the purpose for which she was married to
Jaratkaru.
Reminding her of Brahma’s prophesy that her son Astika would save
the snakes from extinction, Vasuki asked her to persuade Astika to act immediately to
put an end to the sacrifice.
Jaratkaru called her son Astika and told him " O son, the time has come for the accomplishment of that object for which I was married to your father by my brother. Therefore, do what should be done.”
Jaratkaru called her son Astika and told him " O son, the time has come for the accomplishment of that object for which I was married to your father by my brother. Therefore, do what should be done.”
"Astika asked, 'What was the purpose for which you were bestowed on my father by my uncle? Tell me about it.”
Jaratkaru told him the
entire story starting from the curse of Kadru on her sons.
Hearing the story,
Astika promised his mother and uncle
that he would act immediately.
After allaying the fears
of his uncle Vasuki, Astika rushed to
the site of Janamejaya's sacrifice. He was initially denied admission by the
gatekeepers but he managed to enter the site after gratifying them.
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