Narayana is the goal of every soul (Jeeva). Due to accumulated actions (Karma), every Jeeva (referred to as Narah) remains in the cycle of life and death, taking different forms. The soul itself has no death, even if the body perishes. Realizing this dissolves most fears. The goal (Ayanam) of people who achieve this realization is Narayana.

A Brahmin named Kashyapa possessed the medical knowledge to save the King. He was traveling to the King’s palace, hoping to revive the King from the impending snake-bite curse and earn rewards and fame. Takshaka realized this and intercepted Kashyapa on his way. Takshaka challenged Kashyapa by offering to bite a banyan tree and asking the healer to revive it afterward. The tree was burnt to ashes after Takshaka bit it.

The tree was burnt to ashes after Takshaka bit it. However, Kashyapa was able to revive the tree with his medical powers. This unnerved Takshaka, who then appealed to the healer’s pride and greed. He offered Kashyapa gold and also warned him that the King was cursed by a wise sage (Rishi). Takshaka suggested that the healer’s skill might be weaker than the sage’s curse, leading to a loss of reputation. Kashyapa meditated, realized the King’s death was inevitable, accepted the gold, and turned back. Even though he accepted the gold, it was only after he realized that the curse of Rishi Shringi cannot be avoided and Parikshit’s death is inevitable.

The possibility of Kashyapa reviving the King Parikshit was resolved when Takshaka convinced him to turn back. Following this, the snake-brothers disguised themselves as learned Brahmins. They took juicy fruits as gifts to the King. Unknowingly, the King accepted these fruits. Takshaka was hiding as a worm inside one of the fruits, which the King unfortunately chose to eat.

The King picked one of the juicy fruits brought by the snake-brothers disguised as Brahmins. Takshaka was hiding inside the fruit as a strange worm. The King noticed the worm and, seeing the deadline about to lapse, thought: “The seven-day deadline given by the sage must not go to waste. I shall name the worm Takshaka and let it bite me. This way, the sage’s curse will be fulfilled, and I will remain alive.” Thus, the King celebrated victory before it was complete. As soon as he named the worm as Takshaka, it immediately transformed into a huge snake, wrapped itself around the King, and bit him to death.

After the King Parikshit’s death, the citizens decided that his young son should become their new King. They named him Janamejaya and blessed him to overcome all enemies of his lineage and be victorious. Janamejaya therefore means one who would bring victory to the entire clan.

When Vasuki approached the sage Jaratkaru and offered his sister in marriage, the sage agreed, but specified two conditions: he would not take care of his wife, and she should not disobey him. Vasuki had no choice but to agree. Jaratkaru informed his wife of the conditions after the marriage. She also could not disagree, as that would constitute disobedience, causing him to leave.

One day, the sage Jaratkaru fell asleep on his wife’s lap. The time for his evening rituals approached (sunset), but he did not wake up. This created a dilemma for his wife: If she did not wake him up, he would miss his rituals and break his Dharma (righteous duty), which would upset him and make him leave. If she woke him up, it would be an act of disobedience, which would also make him leave. She reasoned that since he was bound to leave either way, it was better that he upholds his Dharma. So she woke him up, despite it being an act of disobedience.

The sage Jaratkaru was woken up by his wife for his evening rituals, which broke her promise of obedience. He proceeded to leave her. Distraught that she had not borne a child with him to save her clan, his wife cried out. Jaratkaru then uttered the word “Asti”. “Asti” means “it is there”, signifying that she was already pregnant, though she was unaware of it. Jaratkaru’s son was therefore called Astika. Jaratkaru then blessed his wife that a noble and learned son, equal to the deity Agni, would be born to her.

The elders narrated the life of the King Parikshit, the curse he received, and his death by Takshaka. This enraged Janamejaya, who vowed to destroy Takshaka and all his relatives. He asked the elders how to achieve this, and they suggested the Sarpa Satra Yajna (Snake Sacrifice). They warned him that a Brahmin would try to stop the ritual and advised that a reciter of Puranas (Suta Pouranika) should conduct it. Janamejaya requested a Stapati, Lohitakshah, to conduct the Yajna.

The Sarpa Satra Yajna began with full security and a large group of sages. Ghee was offered to the deity Agni, and the names of snakes were chanted. Immediately, all the snakes whose names were uttered were drawn into the Yajna. Takshaka was terrified and surrendered to the chief deity, Indra, who gave him refuge. Eventually, Janamejaya commanded the Brahmanas to recite Mantras powerful enough to drag Indra, along with Takshaka, into the fire. Hearing this, Indra abandoned Takshaka and fled. The power of the Yajna then slowly began dragging Takshaka toward the fire.

The snakes were pleased that Astika convinced King Janamejaya to stop the Sarpa Satra Yajna. They offered Astika a boon. Astika requested that anyone who listens to his story, either in the morning or in the evening, should not be harmed by snakes. The snakes agreed, granting that anyone who recites the Sarpa Raksha Mantra need not fear snakes. The mantra states: “I recall in my mind Astika who was born to Jaratkaru…”