region of the unredeemed spirits.’  The Grandsire of all the worlds spake unto her while uttering this curse, ‘Be it so,’ and thus approved of her speech.  Vasuki, having heard that curse and then the words of the Grandsire, sought the protection of the gods, O child, on the occasion when the amrita was being churned for.  And the gods, their object fulfilled, for they had obtained the excellent amrita, with Vasuki ahead, approached the Grandsire.  And all the gods, with king Vasuki, sought to incline Him who was born of the lotus to be propitious, so that the curse might be made abortive.’

“And the gods said, ’O Lord, Vasuki, the king of the snakes, is sorry on account of his relatives.  How may his mother’s curse prove abortive?’

“Brahman thereupon replied, saying, ’Jaratkaru will take unto himself a wife of the name of Jaratkaru; the Brahmana born of her will relieve the snakes.’

“Vasuki, the best of snakes, hearing those words, bestowed me, O thou of godlike looks, on thy high-souled father some time before the commencement of the sacrifice.  And from that marriage thou art born of me.  That time has come.  It behoveth thee to protect us from this danger.  It behoveth thee to protect my brother and myself from the fire, so that the object, viz., our relief, for which I was bestowed on thy wise father, may not be unfulfilled.  What dost thou think, O son?’

“Sauti continued, ’Thus addressed, Astika said unto his mother, ’Yes, I will.’  And he then addressed the afflicted Vasuki, and as if infusing life into him, said, ’O Vasuki, thou best of snakes, thou great being, truly do I say, I shall relieve thee from that curse.  Be easy, O snake!  There is no fear any longer.  I shall strive earnestly so that good may come!  Nobody hath ever said that my speech, even in jest, hath proved false.  Hence on serious occasions like this, I need not say anything more, O uncle, going thither today I shall gratify, with words mixed with blessings, the monarch Janamejaya installed at the sacrifice, so that, O excellent one, the sacrifice may stop.  O highminded one, O king of the snakes, believe all that I say.  Believe me, my resolve can never be unfulfilled.’

“And Vasuki then said, ’O Astika, my head swims and my heart breaks.  I cannot discern the points of the earth, as I am afflicted with a mother’s curse.’

“And Astika said, ’Thou best of snakes, it behoveth thee not to grieve any longer.  I shall dispel this fear of thine from the blazing fire.  This terrible punishment, capable of burning like the fire at the end of the Yuga, I shall extinguish.  Nurse not thy fear any longer.’