The suta said: ‘Janamejaya said: “O one of immeasurable [wisdom], to you, though in form a child, I grant a boon as is fitting; choose whatever is desired by you, whatever dwells in your heart; that I shall give you, even if it be ungivable.”’ The suta said: ‘When the king of serpents, Takshaka, was about to fall into the fire, Astika, thinking, “Now is the fitting moment,” cried out: “If you grant me a boon, O Janamejaya, then I choose this: let this sacrifice of yours cease, let no more serpents fall here.” Thus addressed, the king, descendant of Parikshit, his heart not greatly gladdened, spoke this word to Astika: “Gold, silver, cattle, and whatever else you may think of, O lord — that I shall give you as a boon, O brahmin; only let my rite not cease.” Astika said: “Not gold, silver, or cattle do I ask of you, O king; let this sacrifice of yours cease — for the welfare of our mother’s kin.”’ The suta said: ‘Thus addressed by Astika, the king, descendant of Parikshit, said again and again to Astika, foremost of speakers: “Choose another boon, blessings upon you, O best of the twice-born.” But he, the joy of the line of Bhrigu, asked for no other boon. Then the members of the assembly, all knowers of the Veda, spoke together to the king: “Let the brahmin receive his boon.”’