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Updated: June 15, 2025
"Saunaka asked, 'What great Rishis became the Ritwiks at the snake- sacrifice of the wise king Janamejaya of the Pandava line? Who also became the Sadasyas in that terrible snake-sacrifice, so frightful to the snakes, and begetting such sorrow in them? It behoveth thee to describe all these in detail, so that, O son of Suta, we may know who were acquainted with the rituals of the snake-sacrifice.
The platform was further adorned with Sadasyas all of whom were high regenerate Rishis. I have heard from the Rishis that soon something very awful occurred in that sacrifice. His complexion was dark like that of the petals of the blue lotus. His teeth were keen. His stomach was lean. His stature was tall. He seemed to be irresistible and possessed of exceeding energy.
And Astika having gone thither, beheld the excellent sacrificial compound with numerous Sadasyas on it whose splendour was like unto that of the Sun or Agni. But that best of Brahmanas was refused admittance by the door-keepers. And the mighty ascetic gratified them, being desirous of entering the sacrificial compound.
Then all the Sadasyas conversant with the Vedas told the king in one voice, 'Let the Brahmana receive his boon!" "Saunaka said, 'O son of a Suta, I desire to hear the names of all those snakes that fell into the fire of this snake-sacrifice! "Sauti replied, 'Many thousands and tens of thousands and billions of snakes fell into the fire.
And the illustrious Rishi also, casting his eyes upon him and asking him about his welfare, worshipped the Sadasyas, having been before worshipped by them all. And after all this, Janamejaya with all his Sadasyas, questioned that first of Brahmanas, with joined palms as follows: 'O Brahmana, thou hast seen with thy own eyes the acts of the Kurus and the Pandavas.
I think, I desire to bestow on him a boon. Therefore, ye Brahmanas, give me the necessary permission. "The Sadasyas said, 'A Brahmana, though a boy, deserves the respect of kings. The learned ones do more so. This boy deserves every desire of his being fulfilled by thee, but not before Takshaka comes with speed.
Who, again, are regarded its Ritwijas? Tell me all this, O performer of a hundred sacrifices. ""Indra said, 'Elephants constitute the Ritwijas of that sacrifice, and steeds are its Audharyus. The flesh of foes constitutes its libations, and blood is its liquid offering. Jackals and vultures and ravens, as also winged shafts, constitute its Sadasyas.
He has no beginning and no end. He is Unmanifest. Both the Deities and the Danavas worship Him. Induced by these words spoken by Ekata and approved by his companions, viz., Dwita and Trita, and solicited also by the other Sadasyas, the high-minded Vrihaspati brought that sacrifice to a completion after duly offering the accustomed adorations to the Deities.
And after that monarch's sacrifice had come to an end, all the other priests who had come to assist at it went away with Durvasa's leave. All other Sadasyas also of immeasurable energy, who had been installed at that sacrifice, then went away.
"Sauti replied, 'Unto the unconscious Takshaka, that best of snakes, after he had been cast off Indra's hands, Astika had thrice said, 'Stay, 'Stay, 'Stay. And he succeeded in staying in the skies, with afflicted heart, like a person somehow staying between the welkin and the earth. "The king then, on being repeatedly urged by his Sadasyas, said, 'Let it be done as Astika hath said.
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