Kohala Devasarman, Maudgalya, Samasaurava, and
many other Brahmanas who had got through the Vedas became the Sadasyas at
that sacrifice of the son of Parikshit.
"When the Ritwiks in that snake-sacrifice began to pour clarified butter
into the fire, terrible snakes, striking fear into every creature, began
to fall into it. And the fat and the marrow of the snakes thus falling
into the fire began to flow in rivers. And the atmosphere was filled with
an insufferable stench owing to the incessant burning of the snakes. And
incessant also were the cries of the snakes fallen into the fire and those
in the air about to fall into it.
'Meanwhile, Takshaka, that prince of snakes, as soon as he heard that king
Janamejaya was engaged in the sacrifice, went to the palace of Purandara
(Indra). And that best of snakes, having represented all that had taken
place, sought in terror the protection of Indra after having acknowledged
his fault. And Indra, gratified, told him, 'O prince of snakes, O Takshaka,
here thou hast no fear from that snake-sacrifice. The Grandsire was
pacified by me for thy sake. Therefore, thou hast no fear. Let this fear
of thy heart be allayed.'
"Sauti continued, 'Thus encouraged by him, that best of snakes began to
dwell in Indra's abode in joy and happiness. But Vasuki, seeing that the
snakes were incessantly falling into the fire and that his family was
reduced to only a few, became exceedingly sorry. And the king of the
snakes was afflicted with great grief, and his heart was about to break.
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