The formidable serpents, whose valor was renowned, had been named and their fate sealed by a terrible curse. Curious about their response, the question arose: what did these mighty serpents do once they recognized the doom that awaited them? Among them, the illustrious Shesha, steadfast and wise, chose a path apart from his mother Kadru and his brothers. Filled with disquiet at their ways, he resolved to undertake severe austerities. Sustaining himself only on air and unwavering in his vows, Shesha journeyed to sacred places—Gandhamadana, Badari, Gokarna, the Pushkara forest, and the slopes of the Himalaya. In each holy shrine, he remained solitary, disciplined, and ever self-controlled, immersing himself in fierce ascetic practices. As Shesha’s austerities deepened, he became emaciated, his flesh, skin, and sinews thinned, his hair matted, and his body clad in bark garments. The Grandsire, Brahma, witnessed Shesha in this state and approached him, asking, “What is it that you are doing, Shesha? Bring welfare to all beings.” Brahma observed that Shesha’s intense austerities were unsettling the world, and he gently pressed Shesha to reveal the desire that drove him. Shesha replied, “All my brothers, born of the same mother, are of dull minds. I cannot bear to dwell among them, O Lord. Please grant me permission to live apart. They constantly envy one another, like enemies, and I undertake these austerities so I may not witness such discord. They never tolerate Vinata and her son, Garuda, who soars through the sky, even though he is the strongest among us, having received a boon from our father, the great Kashyapa. My brothers hate him for that, and I wish to cast off this body through austerity so that, even after death, I will not have to associate with them.” Hearing Shesha’s heartfelt words, Brahma replied, “I know well all that your brothers have done. Because of your mother’s offense, your brothers are in great danger, but a remedy has already been arranged. You need not grieve for them. Now, Shesha, ask a boon of me—whatever you desire.” Moved by affection, Brahma promised, “I shall grant you a boon today, for your mind is established in righteousness. May your mind remain ever steadfast in righteousness.” Shesha humbly requested, “This is the boon I seek, O Lord: may my mind delight in righteousness, tranquility, and austerity.” Brahma was pleased by Shesha’s self-restraint and tranquility. He then commanded Shesha to perform a great act for the welfare of the world: “This earth, adorned with mountains, forests, seas, villages, pleasure-grounds, and cities—support it firmly, Shesha, so that it may remain unmoving.” Shesha replied, “Just as the boon-giving Lord, Prajapati, the king of the earth, has said, so shall I uphold the earth immovably, if Prajapati grants me a dwelling place.” Brahma instructed, “Descend beneath the earth, O best of serpents; she herself will give you a place. By supporting this earth, Shesha, you will do me a great favor.” Obeying Brahma, Shesha made an opening and entered beneath the earth. As lord of the earth and eldest of the noble serpents, he supported the goddess earth upon his head, encircling her completely with his endless coils. Brahma proclaimed, “You are Shesha, best of serpents, god of righteousness, for you alone uphold this earth, encircling her entirely with your endless coils, just as I do, or even with greater strength.” Thus, the mighty Ananta Shesha dwells beneath the earth, supporting the world alone, by the command of the glorious Brahma. Then, Brahma gave Ananta the divine Suparna, Garuda, the best of immortals, as his companion. With Ananta departed, Vasuki, strong and wise, was anointed king by the serpents, just as the gods had anointed Indra. Upon hearing the curse pronounced by their mother, Vasuki, the best of serpents, began to ponder how it might be averted. He consulted with all his brothers, including Airavata and others devoted to righteousness. Vasuki said, “This curse has been pronounced, and you all know it, O blameless ones. We must strive together for release from this curse. There is a counteraction for all curses, but for those cursed by their mother, release is nowhere to be found. Even the eternal, immeasurable, and truthful ones have been cursed, and my heart trembles at this. Surely, total destruction has come upon us; our unruly mother has cast a terrible curse, and even the eternal god did not restrain her.” Determined, Vasuki declared, “Let us consult for the welfare of the serpents, so that all may be well and time may not pass us by. All of us are intelligent and discerning; as we deliberate, let us seek a means for release. Just as the gods once lost the hidden fire concealed in the cave, so the sacrifice may not occur, or defeat may happen, for Janamejaya, to bring about the destruction of the serpents.” Having agreed, all the descendants of Kadru assembled and made an agreement, skillful in counsel and wisdom. Some said, “Let us become eminent Brahmins and beg Janamejaya so that his sacrifice may not take place.” Others, considering themselves wise, said, “We shall all become his counselors, well-accepted. He will ask us for a decision in all matters; there we shall give advice so that the sacrifice will be stopped. That king, who values us highly and is foremost among the wise, will ask us openly about the sacrifice; we shall say ‘no.’” Thus, the serpents, facing their doom, gathered together and plotted their survival, seeking wisdom and counsel to avert the curse and ensure their welfare.