SECTION XIV
(Astika Parva continued)
Sauti said, "That Brahmana of rigid vows then wandered over the Eatth for a wife but a wife found he not. One day he went into the forest, and recollecting the words of his ancestors, he thrice prayed in a faint voice for a bride. Thereupon Vasuki rose and offered his sister for the Rishi's acceptance. But the Brahmana hesitated to accept her, thinking her not to be of the same name with himself. The high-souled Jaratkaru thought within himself, -'I will take none for wife who is not of the same name with myself. Then that Rishi of great wisdom and austere penances asked him, saying,-'Tell me truly what is the name of this thy sister, O snake."
"Vasuki replied, -'O Jaratkaru, this my younger sister is called Jaratkaru! Given away by me, accept this slender-waisted damsel for thy spouse! O best of Brahmanas, for thee I reserved her. Therefore, take her!' Saying this, he offered bis beautiful sister to Jaratkaru who then espoused ber with ordained rites,"
So ends the fourteenth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION XV (Astika Parva continued)
Sauti said, "O foremost of persons acquainted with Brahma, the mother of the snakes had curse them of old, saying, 'He that bath the Wind for his charioteer (viz., Agni) shall burn you all in Janamejaya's sacrifice !' It was to neutralise that curse that the chief of the snakes married his sister to that high-souled Rishi of excellent vows. The Rishi wedded her according to the rites ordained (in the scriptures), and from them was born a high-souled son called Astika. An illustrious ascetic, versed in the Vedas and their branches, be regarded all with an even eye, and removed the fears of both his parents.
"Then, after a long space of time, a king descending from the Pandava line celebrated a great sacrifice known as the Snake-sacrifice. After that sacrifice had commenced for the destruction of the spakes, Astika delivered the Nagas, viz., his brothers and maternal uncles and other snakes (from a fiery death). And he delivered his fathers also by begetting offspring. And by his austerities, O Brahmana, and various vows and study of the Vedas, he freed himself from all his debts. By sacrifices, at which various kinds of offerings were made, he propitiated
