Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/48

42 they began to draw into the fire not only the snake prince but the god Indra and all Amravati. Filled with fear Indra cast from him Prince Takshaka, and the snake prince, lying across the sky, was slowly drawn to the fire by the spells of the Brahmans. Then Souti said to Janamejaya, "Nothing now can save Prince Takshaka, so grant Astika whatever boon he asks." On hearing these words, the king turned to Astika and said, "Ask what you will and I shall grant it."

Prince Takshaka was falling with increasing speed from the sky towards the fire when Astika cried aloud, "Stay, stay, stay." And the words of Astika overcame the spells of the Brahmans and the vast length of the snake prince lay motionless, suspended in the heavens. Then Astika said to King Janamejaya, "O Bharata King, you have granted me a boon and the boon that I would have is this. Spare the lives of Prince Takshaka and of all those among the snake people who have not yet been consumed." King Janamejaya in vain sought by offering Astika herds of cattle and a great treasure of gold and silver to turn him from his purpose. But Astika answered, "King Janamejaya, you are an Aryan king and you cannot go back on your promise. You have promised me a boon. Therefore give me the lives of Prince Takshaka and those among the snake people who are still alive." At last the Brahmans, over whose spells the words of Astika had power, also pressed King Janamejaya to grant him this boon. So the king bade the sacrifice be abandoned, and dividing the treasure among the Brahmans, spoke graciously to Astika and then drove in his chariot to his city Hastinapura. But Astika went to King Vasuki his uncle and Jaratkaru his mother, and told them how he had stopped the sacrifice. King Vasuki