Astika you will learn from the lips of the Brahmanas'. Saying this, he vanished.
"Ruru rushed out in search of the disappearing Rishi, and having failed to find him in all the wood, fell down upon the ground. And revolving in his mind the words of the Rishi, he swooned away. On regaining his senses, he went home and asked his father to relate the history in question. Thus asked, his father related all about the story."
And so ends the twelfth Section in the Pauloma of the Adi Parva.
Section XIII.
( Astika Parva ).
Saunaka asked, "For what was it that the mighty monarch Janamejaya determined to take the lives of the snakes by means of his sacrifice? O Sauti, pray tell us in full the true story. Tell us also why that best of Dwijas and foremost of those that have controlled their passions (Astika), rescued the snakes from the flaming fire. Pray, whose son was that monarch who celebrated the snake sacrifice? And whose also that best of Dwijas?"
Sauti said, "O best of speakers, the story of Astika to which you have alluded is long. I will relate it in full, O listen!"
Saunaka said, "I am desirous of hearing at length the charming story of that Rishi of old, the illustrious Brahmana, Astika."
Sauti began, "This history first recited by Krishna-Dwaipayana is called a Purana by the Brahmanas. It was formerly narrated by my wise father, Suta Lomaharshana, the disciple of Vyasa, before the dwellers of the Naimisha forest, at their request. I was present at the recital, and, O Saunaka, since thou askest me, I will narrate the history of Astika exactly as I heard it. O listen as I recite in full that sin-destroying story!
"The father of Astika was powerful like Prajapati. And he was a Brahmachari, and was always engaged in austere devotions. And he ate sparingly, was a mighty ascetic, and had his lust under complete control. And he was known by the
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