Mahabharata

“Janamejaya said, ‘Though this one is a boy, but he speaks yet like a wise old man. He is not…

“Aastika said, ‘Soma, Varuna and Praajapati performed yagna in ancient time in Prayaaga (present-day Allahabad in Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh,…

“Son of Soota said, ‘Then the snake-woman Jaratkaaru, calling her own son (Aastika), told him the following words according to…

“(Rishi) Shaunaka asked, ‘What great Rishis became the Ritwijas (meaning seasonal sacrificer) at the Sarpa Satra (snake-sacrifice) of the wise…

“Soota said, ‘The Sarpa Satra (snake-sacrifice) then commenced according to due form. The sacrificial priests (Yaajakaas in Sanskrit), competent in…

King Janamejaya consults with his Purohita and Ritwiks about extermination of the serpent race; Ritwiks suggest about performing Sarpa Satra…

“The ministers continued, ‘That king of kings (Parikshit) then, spent with hunger and exertion, and having placed the snake upon…

“(Rishi) Shaunaka said, ‘Tell me again, in detail, – all that king Janamejaya had asked his ministers about his father’s…

“Soota said, ‘O you of severe Tapas wealth (Rishi Shaunaka), soon after her lord (Rishi Jaratkaaru) had left her, Jaratkaaru…

“Soota said, ‘Then Vaasuki spoke to the Rishi Jaratkaaru these words, ‘O best of Dwijas, this woman is of the…