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110 be of the same name with himself, and seeing that the question of ber maintenance also was unsettled, reflected for a few inoments, hesitating to accept her. And then, son of Bhrigu, he asked Vasuki the maiden's name, and also said unto him,-'I shall not maintain her I'"

So ends the forty-sixth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Sauti said, "Then Vasuki spake unto the Rishi Jaratkaru these words:-'0 best of Brahmanas, this maiden is of the same name with tbee ! She is my sister and hach ascetic merit. I will maintain thy wife : accept of her! O thou of ascetic wealth, I shall protect her with all my ability. And, O foremost of great Munis, she hath been reared by me for thee! And the Rishi replied, 'This is agreed between us that I shall not maintain her; and she shalt not do aught that I do not like. If sbe do. I leave her!'"

Sauti continued, "When the snake had promised, saying 'I shall maintain my sister,' Jaratkaru then went to the snake's house. Then that first of mantra-knowing Brahmanas, observing of rigid vows, that virtuous and veteran ascetic, took her hand presented to him according to shastric rites. And taking his bride with him, adored by the great Rishi, he entered the delightful chamber set apart for him by the king of the snakes. And in that chamber was a bed-stead covered with very valuable coverlets. And Jaratkaru lived there with his wife. And the excellent Rishi made an agreement with his wife, saying, Nothing must ever be done or said by thee that is against my liking. And in case of chy doing any such thing. I will leave thee and no longer continue to stay in thy house. Bear in mind these words that have been spoken by me.

"And then the sister of the king of the snakes in great anxiety and grieving exceedingly, spoke unto him, saying.--'Be it so.' And moved by the desire of doing good to her relatives, that damsel, of unsullied reputation, began to attend upon her lord with the wakefulness of a dog, the timidity of a deer, and knowledge of signs possessed by the crow. And one day, after the menstrual period, the sister of Vasuki, having purified herself by a buth according to the custom, approached her lord, the great Muni. And thereupon she conceived. And the embryo was like unto a flame of fire, possessed of great energy, and resplendent as fire itself. And it grew like the moon in the bright fortnight."

"And one day, within a short time, Jatatkaru of great fame, placing bis head on the lap of his wife, slept, looking like one fatigued. And as