Janamejaya said: -
1. Though this (Rishi) is but a boy, he speaks like a wise old man. He is not a boy; I think he is wise and old. I wish to bestow on him a boon. Therefore, O Brahmanas, give me necessary permission.
The Sadashyas said: -
2. A Brahmana, though he may be a boy, deserves the respect of kings,- more so if he is learned. This boy deserves to have his all desires fulfilled, but not before Takshaka is here with all speed.
Souti said: -
3. The king, being willing to grant a boon to the Brahmana boy, said, “Ask from me a boon”. The Hota, being rather displeased at this, said, “Takshaka has not as yet come to this sacrifice.
Janamejaya said: -
4. Try your best to bring this my sacrifice to a successful completion; exert you might, so that Takshaka may come here without further delay. He is my enemy.
The Ritwijas said: -
5. O king, Takshaka is now living in fear in the abode of Indra. The Sastra declares this to us, and the Fire also says it.
Souti said: -
6. The illustrious Suta, Lohitakshya, well-versed in the Puranas, had also said this before. Asked by the king again on this occasion, he told him what he said before.
7. (He said), “O king, what the Brahmanas have said is true. Knowing as I do the Puranas, I say, O king, Indra has granted him a boon, saying, Live here in concealment and fire will not be able to bum you.”
8. Having heard this, the king, installed in the sacrifice, became very sorry and urged the Hota to do his duty. He too, with Mantras, began to pour the ghee into the fire. Thereupon Indra himself came to the place.
9. The illustrious god came on his car, adored and worshipped by all the celestials standing around his chariot, and entertained by masses, of clouds, celestial singers and various classes of celestial dancing girls.
10. The snake (Takshaka), however; kept himself hidden within the garments of Indra. Thereupon the king, being desirous of the destruction of Takshaka, spoke to his mantra-knowing Brahmanas thus.
Janamejaya said: -
11. O Brahmanas, if Takshaka be in the abode of Indra, throw him into the fire with Indra also.
Souti said: -
12. Thus urged by king Janamejaya (to destroy Takshaka), the Hota again and again poured libations (into the fire), calling the snake (Takshaka) by name who was then staying there (hidden within the garments of Indra.)
13. As the libations were continually poured into the fire, Takshaka with Indra, anxious and afflicted, became visible in a moment in the sky.
14. Having seen that sacrifice, Indra was filled with fear, and casting off Takshaka, he hastened back to his own abode.
15. On the departure of Indra, the king of snakes, Takshaka, insensible with fear, was brought near the sacrificial fire by virtue of the Mantras.
The Ritwijas said: -
16. O king of kings, O Lord, your this act (sacrifice) is being properly performed. It is now proper for you to grant a boon to this best of Brahmanas (Astika).
Janamejaya said: -
17. O immeasurable one, you are of such child-like and handsome features, that I desire to bestow upon you a worthy boon. Therefore, ask that which you desire in your heart to possess. I promise you; I will grant it if it be even ungrantable.
The Ritwijas said: -
18. O king, behold, Takshaka has come under your control. His terrible cries and loud roars are heard.
19. The snake has been forsaken by the wielder of thunderbolt (Indra). His body has been disabled by our Mantras. (behold), he is falling from the heavens, (behold) the king of snakes, deprived of his consciousness, comes rolling in the sky breathing.
Souti said: -
20. When the king of snakes, Takshaka, was at the point of falling into the sacrificial fire,- within that very short moment,- Astika spoke thus: -
Astika said: -
21. O Janamejaya, if you will at alt grant me a boon,- let your this sacrifice be stopped, and let no more snakes fall into the fire.
Souti said: -
22. O Brahmana, the son of Parikshit, having been thus addressed, became exceedingly sorry and spoke to Astika thus,
Janamejaya said: -
23. O illustrious man, I shall give you gold, silver, kine or whatever else you desire to possess. But let not this sacrifice be stopped.
Astika said: -
24. O king, I do not ask from you gold, silver or kine. Let this sacrifice be, so that my maternal relatives are saved.
Souti said: -
25. Thus addressed by Astika, the son of Parikshit (Janamejaya) again and again said to that best of speakers, Astika,
26. “O best of the best Brahmanas, O blessed one, O illustrious man, ask some other boon. O But, O descendant of the Brigu race, he did not ask any other boon.
27. Thereupon, all the Sadashyas, learned in the Vedas, told the king in one voice, “Let the Brahmana receive the boon (asked by him.)
Thus ends the fifty-sixth chapter, Astika, in the Adi Parva.