Sarpayaaga the Snake sacrifice

Mahabharata Adiparva Astika parva Section 49-58
Sri SadGurubhyoh Namah

King Janamejaya, son of Parikshit, desires to revenge his father's death at the hands of serpent Takshaka. He performs a snake sacrifice. Snakes of all sizes, virulent poison, come from all corners of world and fall in the sacrificial fire. A river is formed with their burning fat, and marrow. Air is filled with the stench of burning snakes. Prince of snakes, Takshaka, begs the protection of Indra and hides in the heaven.

King of snakes , Vasuki asks his sister Jaratkaru to tell her son Astika to put an end to this destruction of their race. Vasuki says "My limbs are burning, my senses are numbed, my sight is failing, I am about to lose consciousness and fall into that sacrificial fire". Jaratkaru tells her son Astika the history of the enemity and how and why Astika's birth took place.

Astika goes to the sacrificial place of King Janamejaya, and gratifies him with praises. King asks the permission of the brahmins assembled there, whether he can grant a boon to Astika. They say, this boy, even though less in age, is wise, and qualifies as a brahmana. He should be given a boon, but after Takshaka comes and falls in fire. The priests inform King that, Takshaka is hiding in heaven with Indra. Then King says let Takshaka be cast in this fire along with Indra. By the power of mantras, Indra himself is dragged near fire along with Takshaka who is hiding in Indra's upper garb. Indra casts off Takshaka and goes back to heaven. Takshaka starts to fall from heaven into the fire. Now, the priests say to King, you can grant boon to the brahmin boy Astika. King grants him a boon, upon which Astika says, "Please let this snake sacrifice be put to an end and my maternal relatives be spared". King immediately puts an end to the sacrifice, thus saving Takshaka and left over snakes. He gives lot of gifts to Astika and people assembled there. While King is talking to Astika, Takshaka is suspended in mid-air by the power of Astika's penance. Astika said to Takshaka thrice 'stay, stay, stay'. Takshaka who lost consciousness due to mantras regained some form of consciousness on hearing Astika and was holding on to last breath, and was saved.

After the Yaaga , Mahabharata was recited by Vyaasa's disciple to the rapt attention of all assembled.

My commentary :

Look at the condition of Vasuki. It is same condition as described for Arjuna before Mahabharata war. It is a psychological condition brought about by delusion, misunderstanding and fear.

Indra represents mind and Takshaka, a powerful desire that is dear to the mind. When it comes to death, even we let go of our dear desires as Indra casts of Takshaka to save himself.

Between fear of death and desire, fear is the most demanding one of our attention.

Astika (Whoever is), is the saviour of beneficial snakes (thoughts). King Janamejaya is representative of Dharma and tapas. He stood by his word and even let go of his animosity towards Takshaka.