Shaunaka said : O son of Suta, I desire to know why the illustrious Rishi whom you call Jaratkaru came to be so called. You should tell us the Etymology of the name of Jaratkaru.

Sauti said: Jara, means “waste" Karu means “huge." The body of this Rishi was huge, but he reduced it by severe penances. O Brahmana, because he thus reduced his body, he was called Jaratkaru. The sister of Vasuki was called Jaratkaru for the same reason.

When the pious Shaunaka heard this, he smiled and addressing Ugrashrava (Sauti) said, “It is true."

Shaunaka said : I have heard all that you have narrated. Now I wish to hear how Astika was born.

Sauti said : Vasuki, wishing to bestow his sister on Rishi Jaratkaru, gave the snakes (all necessary) orders.

Many years rolled away, but the Rishi of rigid vows, deeply engaged in ascetic devotions, did not seek for a wife.

That high-souled Rishi, his sexual passion completely under control, engaged in deep study and devoted to rigid asceticism, fearlessly roamed over the world, having no desire for a wife.

O Brahmana, once upon a time there was a king, named Parikshit, born in the race of the Kurus.

He was like his great grandfather, Pandu, mighty in arms, the best of all bow-men in battle and was very fond of hunting.

That king of the world roamed about, hunting deer, wild boars, hyena and buffaloes and various other wild animals.

One day, having pierced a deer with an arrow, he slang his bow on his back and following it, he entered into a deep forest.

He searched for it in the forest here and there, as Rudra did in heaven for the sacrificial deer which was pierced with his arrow.

Never had a deer, pierced by Parikshit, escaped in the forest with life. This deer, however, wounded as the others, fled away with speed. It shows the proximity of the king's going to heaven (death).

The deer, that the king of men, Parikshit wounded, was soon lost out of his sight and the king went in pursuit it far into the forest.

Fatigued and thirsty he came upon a Rishi, in the forest, seated in a cow-shed, drinking the froth oozing out of the mouths of the calves sucking the milk of their mothers. Coming to him with all haste, the king asked that Rishi of great austerity, O Brahmana, I am king Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu.

Have you seen where the deer pierced by me has gone? But the Rishi, observing the vow of silence, did not reply to him.

The king being angry took up a dead snake with the end of his bow and placed it round the neck of the Rishi, but the Rishi did not prevent him from doing it.

He did not even say a word, either good or bad. Seeing him in that state, the king cast off his anger and became very sorry. He went away to his capital and the Rishi remained as he was. The forgiving great Rishi knowing him, that best of kings,

To be true to the duties of his order, did not curse him. That best of kings, the best of the Bharata race, also did not know that the Rishi was a virtuous man. It is for this that he thus insulted him. This Rishi had a young, greatly powerful and exceedingly ascetic son,

Who was named Shringi. He was full of wrath, severe in his vows and difficult to be appeased. He sometimes worshipped with great attention his (preceptor) Brahma, seated on his seat and ever engaged in doing good to all creatures. Commanded by him, he was coming home one day.

When his friend (Krisha) in a playful mood, laughingly spoke to him about his father, the Rishi's son, ever wrathful and like poison itself, hearing what had happened to his father, blazed up in a rage.

Krisha said: O Shringi, do not be proud. Ascetic as you are and possessed of great powers, (go and see) your father who is carrying a dead body (on his shoulder),

Don't speak with the sons of the Rishis like ourselves, who are deep in asceticism, who have knowledge of truth and who have attained Success.

Where is your that manliness and where are your those proud words, when you see your father carrying a dead snake?

O best of Rishis, your father did nothing to meet with this treatment. I am pained as if it has been done to me.