Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/193

Rh "The king then, repeatedly urged by his Sadasyas, said, "Let it be done as Astika hath said. Let the sacrifice be ended, let the snakes be safe, let this Astika also be gratified, and let, O Suta, thy words also be true.' And when the boon was granted to Astika, plaudits rang through the air expressive of joy. And that sacrifice of the son of Parikshita—that king of the Pandava race—came to an end. And king Janamejaya of the Bharata race was pleased himself. And unto the Ritwijas with the Sadasyas, and unto all who had come there, the king, bestowed money by hundreds, and thousands. And unto the Suta Lohitaksha—conversant with the rules of buildings and foundations—who had at the commencement said that a Brahmana would prove the cause of the interruption of the snake-sacrifice, the king gave much wealth. And the king, of immeasurable kindness, also gave him various things, with food and wearing apparel, according to his desert, and became very much pleased. And then he concluded his sacrifice according to the rites of the ordinance. And after treating him with every respect, the king in joy sent home the wise Astika exceedingly gratified for he had attained his object. And the king said unto him, 'Thou must come again to become a Sadasya in my great horse-sacrifice? And Astika said, yea, and then returned home in great joy, having achieved his great end after gratifying the monarch. And returning in joy to his uncle and mother and touching their feet he recounted to them everything as it had happened."

Sauti continued, "Hearing all he said, the snakes that had come thither became very much delighted, and their fears were dispelled. And they were mightily pleased with Astika and asked him to solicit a boon, And they repeatedly asked him, 'O thou learned one, what good shall we do unto thee? We have been very much gratified, having been all saved by thee! What shall we accomplish for thee, O child!'

"And Astika said, 'Those Brahmanas, and other men, who shall, in the morning or the evening, cheerfully and with attention, read the sacred account of this my act, let them have no fear from ye!' And the snakes in joy thereupon said, 'O nephew, in the matter of thy boon, let it be exactly as thou sayest!