'Agni shall burn ye all in the sacrifice of Janamejaya!' It was to neutralise that curse that the chief of the serpents married his sister to that high-souled and vow-observing Rishi. The Rishi having formally wedded her, begat in her the great Astika, who became an illustrious ascetic, profound in the Vedas and Vedangas, who regarded all with an even eye, and who removed the fears of his parents.
"Then after a long space of time, the king of the Pandava line celebrated a sacrifice known as the Snake sacrifice. After that sacrifice intended for the extermination of the serpents had commenced, the powerful Astika delivered the reptiles,—his brothers and uncles. He delivered his fathers also by raising offspring to himself. And by his austerities, O Brahmana, and by various vows and the study of the Vedas, he became freed from his debts. By sacrifices he propitiated the gods; and by the adoption of the Brahmacharya mode of life he conciliated the Rishis; and by begetting offspring he gratified his ancestors.
"Thus discharging his great debts, and having acquired great merit, Jaratkaru went to heaven with his ancestors, leaving Astika behind. This is the story of Astika, which I have related as I heard it. Now, tell me, O powerful one of the Bhrigu race, what more I am to narrate."
So ends the fifteenth Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.
Section XVI.
( Astika Parva continued. )
Saunaka said, "O Sauti, relate in detail the history of the virtuous and learned Astika. We are extremely curious to hear it. O thou amiable one, thou speakest sweetly, and we are well pleased with thy speech. Thou speakest even as thy father. Thy sire was ever ready to please us. Now tell us the story as thy father told it."
Sauti said, "O thou blest with length of days, I will narrate the history of Astika as I heard it from my father. O Brahmana, in the Krita (golden) age Prajapati had two fair and virtuous daughters named Kadru and Vinata. The sisters were
