"[Astika was] an ascetic and great in spirit, one who had mastered the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas, equal (impartial) toward the whole world, remover of his father's and mother's fear. And so, after a long time had passed, the descendant of Pandu, the king [Janamejaya], performed, as tradition tells, a great sacrifice -- the snake sattra. When that sacrifice began for the destruction of the snakes, the illustrious Astika freed [them] from that curse: he saved the snakes -- his maternal uncles -- and his other kinsmen, and his forefathers; through progeny, austerity, vows, and the study of the Vedas he became free from every debt, O brahmin. He gratified the gods with manifold sacrifices bearing gifts, the sages with chastity (brahmacharya), and the forefathers with progeny. Having lifted from his forefathers their heavy burden, the steadfast-in-vows Jaratkaru [the father] went to heaven together with his forefathers. Having obtained his son Astika and the highest dharma, the sage Jaratkaru, after a long time had passed, attained heaven. Such is the tale of Astika, told by me exactly as it happened; speak, O tiger among the Bhrigus -- what more shall be told?"