Distressed by the curse laid upon them by their mother, the serpents, led by Vasuki, sought refuge with Brahma. They approached the Creator and spoke of their fear, hoping for deliverance from the doom that threatened their race. Brahma, compassionate and wise, addressed them: “Offer your sister, who bears a name, as a wife to the great sage Jaratkaru. A son born from her will be the savior of your lineage, and he shall be called Astika, without doubt.” These auspicious words filled Vasuki with hope. He went to the forest, where the sage Jaratkaru dwelled, and respectfully presented his sister to the sage as Brahma had advised. Jaratkaru, knowing her to be named, spoke to Vasuki: “If ever she does anything displeasing to me, I will abandon her.” With this agreement, the sage accepted Vasuki’s sister, and Vasuki, his purpose fulfilled, returned to his own abode. In the great forest, Jaratkaru built a pure leaf-hut and lived happily with Vasuki’s beautiful sister. One day, after eating, the sage fell asleep, and she remained at his side. Before sleeping, Jaratkaru addressed her, “Beloved, you must not wake me under any circumstance.” The sage then closed his eyes, trusting her. As the sun reached the western mountain and evening approached, Vasuki’s sister grew anxious. She pondered, “What should I do? I have no peace. If I wake him, he will abandon me again.” Yet, fearing the loss of righteousness, she thought, “If I do not wake him, the time for evening rites will pass in vain. It is better to be abandoned than to destroy righteousness, for the destruction of righteousness leads men to hell again—even death is certain.” Resolving thus, the young woman gently awakened the sage, saying, “The time of twilight has come, rise, rise, O virtuous one!” Jaratkaru, rising and angered, declared, “I am leaving; you, who have disturbed my sleep, go to your brother’s house.” Trembling, she pleaded, “O one of immeasurable radiance, how can the purpose for which my brother gave me be fulfilled?” The sage calmly replied, “So be it.” Abandoned by the sage, she returned to Vasuki’s abode. When Vasuki questioned her, she repeated her husband’s words: “He said, ‘So be it,’ and then, leaving me, that best of sages departed.” Hearing this, Vasuki trusted his sister and sheltered her, believing the sage to be truthful. After some time, O best of the Kurus, a son was born to the sage and Vasuki’s sister. He became renowned as Āstīka. By him, O best of kings, your sacrifice was protected, for the sake of safeguarding his mother’s lineage, by the sage of purified soul. A blessed act has been accomplished, O king; you have honored this sage, born in a family of wanderers, the son of Vasuki’s sister. May there be well-being for you, O mighty-armed one; you have heard the entire story of the Bhāratas, given many gifts, and honored the sages as well. Yet, even with many virtuous deeds performed, the father did not attain heaven, nor was the entire lineage purified by you, O best of kings. Therefore, O king, establish a grand temple for the Goddess with devotion. By this, O Janamejaya, all success will surely be yours. When Śivā is worshipped with supreme devotion, she always bestows all perfections, brings growth to the lineage, and keeps the kingdom stable. O best of kings, having performed the Goddess-sacrifice according to rule, now listen to the supreme Purāṇa called the Śrīmad Bhāgavata. I shall cause you to hear the most sacred story, which delivers from worldly existence, is divine, and filled with many flavors. There is no other Purāṇa on earth more worthy of hearing than this, O king, nor is there any worship apart from the lotus feet of the Goddess. Blessed, wise, and fortunate are those, O best of kings, in whose hearts the Goddess always dwells, overflowing with love. Those people, O Bhārata, are seen to be greatly afflicted in this world who have not always worshipped the great Māyā, the ever-compassionate Mother. O King, all the gods beginning with Brahma are always intent on worshipping her; who then would not serve her? Whoever listens to this daily, which has been perfectly declared by the Goddess to Vishnu, attains all desires. By hearing this, O King, peace will arise in your mind; and by hearing this Purana, your ancestors will gain undiminishing heaven. Janamejaya then spoke: “O Lord, you have mentioned the great sacrifice called Ambā. Who is she, how did she arise, where, for what reason, and with what qualities? What is the nature of her sacrifice, what is its true form? Tell me the proper procedure, O all-knowing, ocean of compassion. Also, describe in detail the origin of the universe, as it has been said, and as you know it entirely, O best of the twice-born. I have heard of three gods—Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra—who are endowed with qualities and perform creation, preservation, and destruction. Are those great souls independent, O descendant of Parāśara? Or are they dependent on another? I wish to hear this now. Are they subject to death and fate, or are they of the nature of existence, consciousness, and bliss? Are they connected with the elements and so on, or not afflicted by the threefold miseries? Are those mighty lords of the gods under the control of time, or not? How did they arise, and for what reason? This is my doubt.” Thus, the story flows from the deliverance of the serpents to the birth of Astika, the protection of the sacrifice, the honoring of the Goddess, and Janamejaya’s earnest questions about the mysteries of creation and divinity.