Shaunaka said: "Why did that tiger among kings, Janamejaya, through the snake sacrifice, bring the serpents to destruction — tell me this. And why did Astika, that best of chanters and twice-born, save the serpents from that blazing fire? Whose son was that king who performed the snake sacrifice? And whose son was that best of the twice-born, Astika? Tell me." Suta said: "This is the great tale of Astika, in which all this is told — listen to it entire, O best of those who ask." Shaunaka said: "I wish to hear in full this delightful, ancient story of Astika, the illustrious brahmin." Suta said: "This history the elders call a purana; it was told by Krishna-Dvaipayana (Vyasa) and is preserved by the dwellers of the Naimisha forest. Once, so urged, my father Lomaharshana, the wise disciple of Vyasa, told it to the brahmins. Having heard it from him, I shall now tell you, who ask, this story of Astika just as it is. Astika's father was a lord equal to Prajapati — a brahmachari, moderate in food, ever devoted to fierce austerity, renowned as Jaratkaru, who kept his seed (urdhvareta), a great sage, best of the Yayavara line, a knower of dharma, firm in his vows. Once, wandering, he saw his forefathers hanging in a great pit, feet up and heads down, clinging to a tuft of virana grass that was being gnawed on every side by a hidden mouse that dwelt forever in that pit."