Vasuki prevents curse

Mahabharata Adiparva astika parva section 37-39
Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

Vasuki, king of serpents calls for a meeting to discuss on how to prevent the calamity that is going to fall on all snakes due to the curse of Kadru, their mother. He says "Those who are cursed by their own mother, has no recourse but to suffer the consequences. Please tell me what shall we do to escape this horrible curse of being burnt alive in the snake sacrifice".

Different opinions are expressed like, "let us kill the king to prevent him to do the yajna, let us capture the king, let us advice him not to conduct yajna etc".

Elapatra, a snake, says, "Listen all, I was crouching on the lap of mother kadru out of fear when she uttered this curse, and listened to what gods has to say. They asked Brahmaji, Sir, How did you approve of this curse. He said, The snakes have multiplied and became an enemy to my creatures. hence I approved of this destruction. But not to fear, only those snakes that are venemous and cruel will be burnt in that fire sacrifice. Those snakes that are virtuous and did good deeds will be spared. In the lineage of Yayavaras there will be born a great rishi named Jaratkaru, who will beget a son named Astika after marrying Vasuki's sister named also Jaratkaru, who can put an end to this sacrifice."

On hearing this Vasuki reared his sister Jaratkaru and appointed numerous snakes to the task of informing him when Rishi jaratkaru will ask for a bride.

Probable meaning :

Snakes here mean thoughts. Sarpayaaga that will be performed is symbolic of a person's quest to purify and quieten the mind (by whatever means one adopts viz karma, bhakti, jnana, yoga).

Astika name suggests a person with shraddha (faith). The thoughts (snakes) that are poisonous, are destructive thoughts and enemies of the people are the ones that will be consumed, not beneficial and elevating thoughts. This dispels the doubt a sadhaka may have that vedanta is for leaving the society and everybody and going to a forest, grow a beard, and do tapas. Vedanta is for harboring beneficial thoughts, reduce noise in mind.