"Soota said, 'O foremost of persons acquainted with (Lord) Brahma (Shaunaka), long before the mother of the snakes (Kadru) had cursed them saying, 'He that has the Wind (Vaayu) for his charioteer (viz., Agni) shall burn you all in Janamejaya's yajna!'
"It was to neutralise that curse (of Kadru) that the chief of the snakes (Vaasuki) married his sister (Jaratkaaru) to that high-souled Rishi (Jaratkaaru) of excellent vows (Sankalpa in Sanskrit). The Rishi (Jaratkaaru) wedded her (Vaasuki's younger sister Jaratkaaru) according to the rites ordained (in the Shastras), and from them was born a high-souled son called Aastika. An illustrious Rishi; versed in the Vedas and their branches (Vedangas in Sanskrit), he (Aastika) regarded all with an even eye, and removed the fears of both his parents.
"Then, after a long space of time, a king descending from the Pandava vamsha celebrated a great yajna known as the Naga yajna. After that yajna had commenced for the destruction of the snakes, Aastika rescued the Nagas, viz., his brothers and maternal uncles and other snakes (from a terrible death). He (Aastika) rescued his (fore)fathers also by fathering children. O Brahmana (Shaunaka), by his severe observances, various vows (Sankalpa in Sanskrit) and study of the Vedas, he (Aastika) freed himself from all his debts (thereby attaining moksha). By yajnas, at which various kinds of offerings were made, he pleased Devas. By practising the Brahmacharya mode of life he pleased the Rishis; and by fathering children he gratified his ancestors (thereby covering the three kind of debts which every human inherits - debt towards Devas, debt towards Rishis and debt towards forefathers, i.e., Pitris).
"Thus Jaratkaaru of rigid vows (Sankalpa in Sanskrit) discharged the heavy debt he owed to his ancestors (Pitris in Sanskrit) who being thus relieved from bondage ascended to heaven. Thus having acquired great merit of Dharma, Jaratkaaru, after a long course of years, went to heaven, leaving Aastika behind. There is the story of Astika that I have narrated duly. Now, tell me, O tiger of Bhrigu's race (Rishi Shaunaka), what else I shall narrate."
So ends the fifteenth section in the Aastika Parva of the Aadi Parva.
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