When that sattra had ended, having returned to Hastinapura, Janamejaya made a great effort to find a fitting family priest (purohita), thinking, "I shall find one who can allay the consequences of my evil deed." Once, Janamejaya, son of Parikshit, having gone out hunting, saw in a certain part of his own domain a hermitage. There dwelt a sage named Shrutashravas, and he had a beloved son named Somashravas. Approaching that son, Janamejaya chose him for the office of purohita. Bowing to the sage, he said, "Lord, let this son of yours become my priest." To this the sage replied, "O Janamejaya, this son of mine was born to me of a serpent; he is a great ascetic, accomplished in Vedic study, nourished by the power of my austerity -- born because the serpent drank my seed -- and he grew in her womb. He is able to allay all your evil deeds, save one directed against Mahadeva (Shiva). But he has one secret vow: if any brahmin should beg something of him, he will give it to him. If you agree to this, then take him." Janamejaya answered him, "Lord, so it shall be." And taking that priest, he returned and said to his brothers, "I have chosen this preceptor; whatever he tells you to do, do without question." Thus addressed by him, the brothers did accordingly. And having so charged his brothers, he set out for Takshashila and brought that land under his sway.