'Hearing this, the serpents gathered there, delighted and now free of their affliction, were filled with gratitude toward Astika and said to him: "Choose the boon you desire." Again and again they all said to him: "What pleasing thing shall we do for you now, O learned one? We are content and all saved; what favor shall we grant you now, O child?" Astika said: "Those brahmins and other people who, with a good and clear heart, will recite this righteous tale of mine morning and evening — let them have no fear whatsoever from you." And they, gracious, said to their nephew: "So let it be, as you wish; we shall all joyfully grant what you desire, O nephew." [And this utterance became a charm of protection]: "Born of Jaratkaru [the father] and Jaratkaru [the mother], greatly renowned, true to his word, may Astika protect me from serpents. Whoever remembers Asita, Artimant, and Sunitha, by day or by night, shall have no fear of serpents." Suta said: "Thus that righteous one, the greatest of the twice-born, having freed the serpents from the serpent-sacrifice, departed in his own time to his appointed end, leaving sons and grandsons behind. Such is the tale of Astika, told to you as it should be — one who recalls it need nowhere fear serpents."'