The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section LIII
Section LIII.
( Astika Parva continued. )
Saunaka asked, "What great Rishis became the Ritwijas in the snake-sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava line? Who also became the Sadasyas in that terrible snake-sacrifice, so frightful to the snakes, and begetting such sorrow in them? It behoveth thee, O child, to describe all these in detail, so that, O son of Suta, we may know who were acquainted with the ritual of the snake-sacrifice!"
Sauti answered, "I shall recite the names of those wise ones who became that monarch's Ritwijas and Sadasyas. The Brahmana, Chanda-vargava, became the Hota in that sacrifice. He was of great reputation, and was born in the race of Chyavana and was a Brahmana, foremost of those acquainted with the Vedas. The learned old Brahmana, Kautsa, became the Udgata (the chaunter of the Vedic hymns.) Jaimini became the Brahma, and Saranga-rava and Pingala became the Adhwaryus. Vyasa with his son and disciples, Uddalaka, Pramataka, Shetaketu, Pingala, Asita, Devala, Narada, Parvata, Atreya, Kundo-jathara, the Brahmana Kalghata, Vatsya, old Sratasrava ever engaged in japa and the study of the Vedas, Kohala, Deva-sarma, Maud-galya, Sama-saurava, these, and many other Brahmanas who had crossed the Vedas, became the Sadasyas in that sacrifice of the son of Parikshita.
"When the Ritwijas in that Snake-sacrifice began to pour clarified butter into the fire, terrible snakes, striking fear unto every creature, began to fall into it. And the fat and the marrow of the snakes thus falling into the fire began to flow in rivers. And the atmosphere was filled with an insufferable stench owing to the incessant burning of the snakes. And cries also were incessant of the snakes fallen into the fire and of those in the air about to fall into it.
"Meanwhile, Takshaka, the prince of snakes, as soon as he heard that king Janamejaya was installed in the sacrifice, went to the palace of Purandara. And that best of snakes having represented all that had taken place, sought in terror the protection of Indra after having acknowledged his fault. And Indra, gratified, then told him, 'Thou prince of snakes, Takshaka, here thou hast no fear from that Snake-sacrifice. The Grand-father was pacified by me for thy sake. Therefore, thou hast no fear. Let this fever of thy heart be dispelled.'"
Sauti continued, "Thus encouraged by him, that best of snakes began to dwell in Sakra's abode in joy and happiness. But Vasuki seeing that the snakes were incessantly falling into the fire, and that his family was reduced to only a few, became exceedingly sorry. And the king of the snakes was pierced with great grief, and his heart began to swim. And summoning his sister he spake unto her, saying, 'O amiable one, my limbs are burning and I no longer see the points of the heavens. I am about to fall down from loss of consciousness. My mind is turning, my sight is failing, and my heart is breaking. Benumbed, I may fall to-day into that blazing fire. This sacrifice of the son of Parikshita is for the extermination of our race. It is evident I also shall have to go to the abode of the king of the dead. That time is arrived, O my sister, on account of which thou wert bestowed by me on Jaratkaru. O protect us with our relatives! Thou best of the women of the snake race, Astika shall put an end to the sacrifice that is going on. The Grand-father himself told me this of old. Therefore, O child, solicit thy dear son who is fully conversant with the Vedas and regarded even by the old, for the protection of myself with those dependent on me!'"
And so ends the fifty-third Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.