Souti said: -
1. The snake-lady, Jaratkaru, then calling her son, told him what was spoken to her by Vasuki, the king of the Nagas,
2. (She said) “O son, the time has come for the accomplishment of that object for which! was bestowed by my brother on your father. Therefore, do what is needful.”
Astika said: -
3. For what object, O mother, were you bestowed by my uncle on my father? Tell me all, so that I may do what is proper,
Souti said: -
4. Jaratkaru, the sister of the snake-king, ever desirous to do good to her race and much moved by the general distress said.
Jaratkaru said: -
5. O son, the mother of all the snakes was Kadru. Hear, why she cursed her sons in anger.
6-7. Addressing her sons she said, “As you have refused to change the color of Uchaisrava, the king of horses, thus making me a slave to Vinata according to the wager, the god of fire will consume you all in the sacrifice of Janamejaya. Thus being killed, you will go to the land of the dead.
8. The Grandsire of all creatures approved her curse, and when she was uttering it, he said, “Be it so.”
9. O child, Vasuki, having heard this curse and the words of the Grandsire, sought the protection of the celestials after the completion of the churning of the ocean.
10. The celestials, having their object gained, for they had obtained the excellent Ambrosia, came to the Grandsire, placing their brother (Vasuki) at the head.
11. All the celestials, with the snake-king Vasuki, tried to induce the great Deity, born of the lotus to grace in a way so that the curse might be made futile.
The Celestials said: -
12. O lord, the king of the snakes; Vasuki, is sorry for his Relatives. How may his mother’s curse be made futile?
Bramha said: -
13. Jaratkaru will marry a wife named, Jaratkaru. That Brahmana, who will be born of her, will save the snakes.
Jaratkarn said: -
14. The best of snakes, Vasuki, having heard this, O illustrious son, bestowed me on your noble father, long before the commencement of this sacrifice.
15. As the result of that marriage, you were born of me. That time has now come. You should now protect us from this danger.
16. You should protect my brother and myself from the fire, so that the object (our protection) for which I was bestowed on your wise father, may not remain unfulfilled. O my son, what do you think (proper now)?
Souti said: -
17. Thus addressed, Astika said to his mother, “Yes, I will (save the snakes).” He then addressed Vasuki, thereby infusing life unto him, and said.
18. “O Vasuki, the best of snakes, I shall protect you. I tell you truly that I shall relieve you from the curse.
19. O snake, be at your ease. There is no longer any fear. I shall try my utmost to do you good.
20-21. None can say that my words even in jest have ever been false,- not to speak of my words on serious occasions. O uncle, going to that best of kings, Janamejaya, now installed in the sacrifice, I shall please him with words mixed with blessings, so that, O excellent one, that king will refrain from the sacrifice.
22. O king of the snakes, O high-minded one, believe all I say. Believe me, my resolve can never remain unfulfilled.
Vasuki said: -
23. O Astika, being afflicted with my mother’s curse my head is whirling, thy heart is breaking. I cannot see the points of the heavens.
Astika said: -
24. O best of snakes, you should not grieve any longer. I shall dispel your fear of the blazing fire.
25. I shall extinguish this (fire), this terrible punishment,-blazing as the fire of the end of the Yuga. You should not entertain any fear any longer.
Souti said: -
26-27. In order to save the king of the snakes, the best of Brahmanas, Astika, dispelling the terrible fever of Vasuki’s heart, and taking it as it were upon himself, went with speed to the sacrifice of Janamejaya which was adorned with all merits.
28. Having gone there, Astika saw the excellent Yagma place, full of numerous Sadashyas, as effulgent as the sun or Agni.
20. But the best of Brahmanas, (Astika) was denied admittance by the door-keepers and the mighty ascetic, wishing to enter into the (enclosed sacrificial place), pleased them (with blessings and sweet words.)
30. Thus having entered the excellent sacrificial place, that best of Brahmanas, the foremost of all virtuous men, began to adore the king of illustrious deeds, the Ritwijas, the Sadashyas and the sacred fire.
Thus ends the fifty fourth chapter, Astika, in the Adi Parva.