# The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section LVI

Section LVI. ( Astika Parva continued. )
Sauti continued, "Janmejaya said, 'Though this one is but a boy he speaks yet like a wise old man. He is not a boy but wise and old do I think. I desire to confer on him a boon. Therefore, ye Brahmanas, give me the necessary permission.'
"The Sadasyas said, 'A Brahmana, though a boy, deserves the respect of kings. He again who is learned does more so. This boy deserves the fulfilment of every desire from thee, but not before Takshaka comes with speed.'"
Sauti continued, "The king, being inclined to grant the Brahmana a boon, said, 'Ask thou the boon.' The Hota, how- ​ever, being rather displeased, said; 'Takshaka hath not come as yet into this sacrifice.'
"And Janamejaya replied, 'Exert ye to the height of your power so that this sacrifice of mine may attain to completion, and so that Takshaka also may soon come here. He is my enemy.'
"And the Ritwijas replied, 'As the Shastras declare unto us, and as the fire also saith, O monarch, Takshaka is now staying in the abode of Indra, afflicted with fear.'"
Sauti continued, "The illustrious Suta Lohitaksha also, conversant with the Puranas, had said so before. Asked by the king on the present occasion, he again told the monarch, 'Sir, it is even so as the Brahmanas have said. Knowing the Puranas, I say, O monarch, that Indra hath granted him this boon, saying,—Dwell thou with me in concealment, and Agni shall not burn thee.—'"
Sauti continued, "Hearing this, the king installed in the sacrifice became very sorry and urged the Hota to do his duty. And as the Hota, with mantras, began to pour clarified butter into the fire, Indra himself appeared on the scene. And the illustrious one came on his car (in the sky) adored by all the gods standing around, followed by masses of clouds, celestial singers, and the several tribes of celestial dancing-girls. And Takshaka, anxious with fear, hid himself in the upper garment of Indra and came not. And the king in anger again told his mantra-knowing Brahmanas these words, desirous of the destruction of Takshaka:—'If that snake Takshaka be in the abode of Indra, cast him into the fire with Indra himself.'"
Sauti continued, "Urged by king Janamejaya in reference to Takshaka, the Hota poured libations in the name of Takshaka then staying there. And as the libations were poured, Takshaka, with Purandara himself, anxious and afflicted, became visible in a moment in the skies. And Purandara seeing that sacrifice became much alarmed. And quickly casting Takshaka off, he wended back to his own abode. And when Indra had gone away, Takshaka the prince of snakes, insensible with fear, was, by virtue of the mantras, brought to the vicinage of the flames of the sacrificial fire.
​"And the Ritwijas then said, 'O king of kings, this sacrifice of thine is being performed duly. It behoveth thee, O Lord, to grant a boon now to this first of Brahmanas.'
"And Janamejaya then said, 'Thou immeasurable one, I desire to grant thee that art of such handsome child-like features a worthy boon. Therefore, ask thou that which thou desirest in thy heart. I promise thee, that I will grant it even if it be ungrantable!'
"And the Ritwijas said, 'O monarch, this Takshaka is soon coming under thy control! Uttering terrible cries, his loud roar is being heard! Assuredly, the snake hath been forsaken by the wielder of the thunder. And his body disabled by our mantras, he is falling from the heaven. Even now, rolling in the skies, and deprived of consciousness, the prince of snakes cometh, breathing loudly.'"
Sauti continued, "While Takshaka the prince of snakes was about to fall into the sacrificial fire, during those few moments Astika spake as follows:—'O Janamejaya, if thou wouldst grant me a boon, let this sacrifice of thine come to an end and let no more snakes fall into the fire."
"O Brahmana, the son of Parikshita, thus addressed by him, became exceedingly sorry and spake unto Astika thus:—"Thou illustrious one, gold, silver, kine, what other boon thou desirest, shall I give unto thee! But let not my sacrifice come to an end!"
"And Astika thereupon replied, 'Gold, silver, or kine, I do not ask of thee, O monarch! But let thy sacrifice be ended so that my maternal relations be relieved.'"
Sauti continued, "The son of Parikshita, thus addressed by Astika, repeatedly said this unto him, that foremost of speakers:—'Thou best of superior Brahmanas, ask thou some other boon. O, blest be thou!' But, O thou of the Bhrigu race, he did not beg any other boon. Then all the Sadasyas conversant with the Vedas told the king with one voice, 'Let the Brahmana receive his boon.'"
And so ends the fifty-sixth Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.